The Redshift
Omnium Gatherum · 2008
47 min · 11 tracks · melodic death metal
Layered guitar harmonies intertwine with atmospheric melodies, creating a dynamic tapestry of sound that defines melodic death metal's emotive edge.
Top tracks — play these first
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A Shadowkey — This track exemplifies the band's ability to blend aggressive riffs with haunting melodies, encapsulating their signature sound while showcasing intricate guitar work.
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Chameleon Skin — With its shifting dynamics and emotional vocal delivery, this song highlights the band's talent for marrying heaviness with melody, creating a captivating listening experience.
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Distant Light Highway — The closing track stands out for its expansive atmosphere and reflective lyrics, providing a poignant conclusion to the album's journey through varied themes and sounds.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and strong production, solidifying its place in melodic death metal.
What we noticed
- The album features layered guitar harmonies that often intertwine, creating a rich texture across tracks.
- Several songs incorporate tempo changes, shifting from fast-paced sections to slower, atmospheric passages.
- Lyrical themes are explored through dynamic shifts in instrumentation, enhancing the emotive quality of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady melodic progression throughout
- atmospheric sound for introspection
- rich layers for headphone listening
- engaging narrative through track flow
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2008, The Redshift marked Omnium Gatherum's fourth studio album and followed their critically acclaimed record, Stuck Here on Snakes Way. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their unique sound within the melodic death metal genre, showcasing both technical proficiency and emotional depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Insomnium· Dark Tranquillity· Soilwork
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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A Shadowkey
The narrative shifts from introspection to a direct confrontation with darker themes illustrates internal conflict and struggle.
This transition deepens the emotional impact of the song, as it contrasts vulnerability with moments of defiance against despair.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Nail 3:44
- 2 A Shadowkey 4:29
- 3 Chameleon Skin 4:55
- 4 No Breaking Point 3:47
- 5 The Return 5:28
- 6 Shapes on Shades 4:51
- 7 The Red Shifter 3:41
- 8 Greeneyes 4:39
- 9 The Second Flame 4:24
- 10 Song for December 2:19
- 11 Distant Light Highway 5:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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