Released 13 years ago this October
What It Means to Be Defeated
Dayseeker · 2013
42 min · 10 tracks · post-hardcore
A visceral blend of melodic post-hardcore and introspective lyrics, punctuated by intense instrumentation and emotive vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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What It Means to Be Defeated — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of struggle and resilience, serving as a poignant reflection on personal battles and defeat.
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Collision.Survive — This track combines aggressive instrumentals with haunting melodies, showcasing the band's ability to blend raw emotion with powerful soundscapes.
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Hollow Shell — With its introspective lyrics and dynamic shifts between soft verses and explosive choruses, this song exemplifies Dayseeker's signature style and emotional range.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a blend of intensity and melody but lacks the refinement of later works.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with aggressive instrumentation, while the second half shifts to more melodic and introspective moments.
- Vocals alternate between clean singing and harsh screams, often within the same track, creating dynamic contrasts.
- Several tracks incorporate atmospheric interludes that provide a breather before returning to intense sections, enhancing emotional impact.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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5/10
- 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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5/10
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
- intense emotional catharsis
- reflective moments of introspection
- dynamic pacing with urgency
- immersive storytelling through sound
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light, upbeat experiences
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- What It Means to Be Defeated is Dayseeker's debut album, released in 2013 as they emerged on the post-hardcore scene. At this point, the band was still establishing their sound and identity, transitioning from local gigs to a broader audience, marking the start of their journey in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Devil Wears Prada· Silent Planet· August Burns Red
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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What It Means to Be Defeated
The narrative shifts from despair to acceptance, reflecting on past failures while embracing future possibilities.
This shift marks a crucial turning point in the song, illustrating a growth that contrasts earlier feelings of hopelessness.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Black Earth 4:33
- 2 Collision.Survive 4:14
- 3 What It Means to Be Defeated 4:26
- 4 Incinerate 4:41
- 5 Hollow Shell 4:04
- 6 Dead Man 2:57
- 7 Resurrect 4:02
- 8 The Home We Built 4:33
- 9 Sleep in the Sea 3:47
- 10 The Quiet Disconnect 5:00
What to play next
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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