The Wake
Voivod · 2018
119 min · 19 tracks · progressive metal
A cosmic journey through progressive thrash, blending intricate rhythms with futuristic themes and haunting melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Obsolete Beings Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its complex time signatures and metaphoric lyrics about technological disconnection and existentialism.
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Event Horizon — A standout piece that combines aggressive riffs with ethereal passages, illustrating the band’s ability to marry heaviness with melody while exploring themes of cosmic exploration.
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Always Moving — This track encapsulates the album's overarching themes of change and adaptation through its dynamic structure and reflective lyrics, creating an emotional resonance.
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Sonic Mycelium — The lengthy composition serves as a centerpiece, intertwining various musical ideas that showcase Voivod's experimental edge and lyrical depth regarding interconnectedness in nature.
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 a unique sound, making it rewarding for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- Several songs incorporate atmospheric interludes that contrast with the heavier sections, enhancing the cosmic themes.
- The use of layered guitar harmonies and dissonant melodies is prevalent, contributing to a distinctive sound that evolves over the course of the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- dynamic journey with peaks
- cosmic exploration through sound
- patient unfolding of themes
- immersive two-halves listening experience
- haunting melodies evoke introspection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases Voivod's evolution and received widespread critical acclaim.
- Themes
- technological disconnection· cosmic exploration· interconnectedness in nature
- Career context
- The Wake is Voivod's fourteenth studio album, released in 2018 following a renewed creative surge after the return of original bassist Blacky. This album marked their first release after being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, solidifying their legacy as pioneers of progressive metal and thrash.
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Obsolete Beings Start here 5:34
- 2 The End of Dormancy 7:42
- 3 Orb Confusion 6:00
- 4 Iconspiracy 5:15
- 5 Spherical Perspective 7:41
- 6 Event Horizon 6:10
- 7 Always Moving 5:11
- 8 Sonic Mycelium 12:24
Disc 2
- 1 Post Society 6:17
- 2 Forever Mountain 5:12
- 3 Fall 6:42
- 4 We Are Connected 7:26
- 5 Silver Machine 4:48
- 6 Inner Combustion 4:22
- 7 Order of the Blackguards 5:03
- 8 Psychic Vacuum 4:16
- 9 Lost Machine 6:01
- 10 Fall 6:38
- 11 Voivod 6:23
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Crack the Skye
Mastodon
Explores similar cosmic themes with intricate compositions and a blend of heavy and melodic elements.
Magma
Gojira
Shares thematic depth on nature and existence, paired with progressive rhythms and an atmospheric sound.
Colors
Between the Buried and Me
Features complex song structures and a fusion of styles, conveying existential themes through a futuristic lens.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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