| | Full Review | Ratings (304) |
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| 4.3 superb | Insurrection | March 7th 13 |
In Vain return with a worthy follow up to Mantra, increasing their melodic side and replacing the dense atmosphere of its predecessor with a cleaner counterpart fit with orchestral synths and saxophone solos. The instrumentation is as strong as ever, as is the songwriting, but the clean production does detract from the atmosphere a bit. I'd say this easily surpasses Mantra, and apart from the awkward spoken word segment in 'Culmination of the Enigma,' didn't disappoint in the slightest.
'Floating on the Murmuring Tide' is one of the best tracks of 2013 thus far.
4 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | MasBarHigeuoris21 | September 5th 13 |
Who would have known that a metal band could throw in a saxophone into their music and it would work. Definitely a contender for AOTY. Any fan of Opeth, Enslaved, or progressive bm/dm should listen to this.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | Niels | March 6th 13 |
I'm on the second listen and I'm very impressed. Hope it lasts.
edit: it does
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | NewBallistics | February 20th 16 |
Coated in both bleak darkness and blinding light, this massive prog-death record will break you down in tears.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | maninthebox | December 31st 13 |
In Vain's epic as fuck album Aenigma was one that I almost missed this year, thank God I finally broke down and listened to it. If I hadn't I would have missed out on one of the finest progressive death metal albums released this year. It contains the perfect balance of catchy unique clean vocal patterns and brutal death metal snarls. This contrast makes the dynamics on this album amazing as well, especially when you consider In Vain's tendency to use symphonic and even jazz elements in their songs. Just look at the saxophone used on the closing track Floating on the Murmuring Tide. To say the least this is a breathtaking album that I'd hate for any metalhead to miss out on. Best Songs: Image of Time, Rise Against, and Floating on the Murmuring Tide.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 0.0 | Solbrave | March 14th 13 |
Hymne til Havet made me cry manly, manly tears of joy.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | geasoftime | March 12th 13 |
I predict seeing this on many a year-end list. their strongest work by far.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | TheFantasticDangler | March 7th 13 |
Better than Mantra, but the clean production kind of takes away from their character. After
several more listens its apparent In Vain focuses on progressive song structures, ambiance
and melody. It follows in the direction of Mantra, where sporadic song writing, standout
riffs, and general experimentation are diluted. Unlike the two previous releases, Aenigma is
much more fluid and consistent. The lack of experimentation, and the overly pristine
production prevent it from surpassing The Latter Rain.
Hey Toretto, production was a WHOLE lot different on the last two albums, especially The
Latter Rain.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | vertexarray | January 6th 20 |
Amazed at the restraint they show at the end of To the Core with respect to not bashing out a picardy third. huge props
Bump |
| 2.5 average | EasterInTheBatcave | June 29th 16 |
AEnigma isn't unenjoyable, and indeed has some very good tracks ("Image of Time," "Hymne Til Havet," "Floating on the Murmuring Tide" - the latter one of my favourite songs of the year). Unfortunately, some of the time it's simply okay, or passable. This renders sections of the disc a little boring. The band doesn't have a terribly original sound, though they have a knack for cool flourishes (the saxophone on the aforementioned "Floating on the Murmuring Tide") and are clearly skilled instrumentalists. Ultimately, AEnigma doesn't totally satisfy, but it's enjoyable enough to warrant a listen.
Bump |
| 0.0 | Black Daimon | February 20th 16 |
Straight up one of the worst albums I've ever heard in my life. I'll never understand the praise.
Bump |
| 0.0 | RevenantBlue | March 11th 13 |
I thought the album title was "Aenima" for a second and I was about to start flipping tables
Bump |
| 0.0 | Toretto | March 10th 13 |
Regarding the production, sometimes I get the impression that people think Mantra is their first album. Well, The Latter Rain had this polished production also, and it's still their best album, but this Aenima is superb.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Phate72 | April 23rd 24 |
| 5.0 classic | AmonZ | April 23rd 24 |
| 4.5 superb | JoneHK | April 22nd 24 |
| 4.0 excellent | zuzek | April 18th 24 |
| 3.0 good | T5Cx | March 9th 24 |
| 5.0 classic | Observer EMERITUS | July 8th 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | Zakusz | April 3rd 23 |
| 4.5 superb | Zac124 | February 15th 23 |
| 4.5 superb | martalf | February 9th 23 |
| 4.5 superb | Macck | December 1st 21 |
| 3.0 good | Spag | July 21st 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Crayak | April 25th 20 |
| 4.5 superb | Jadmin | November 25th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | HybridF | August 21st 19 |
| 4.5 superb | LSX | February 18th 19 |
| 3.5 great | Nisraak | November 10th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Metz | June 3rd 18 |
| 3.5 great | Thibs | March 2nd 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Flave | March 1st 18 |
| 3.5 great | TedCruz | February 17th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Daedus | February 8th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kantala | January 24th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Joran | January 19th 18 |
| 3.5 great | mursu | December 22nd 17 |
| 3.0 good | VikkiH | November 22nd 17 |
| 4.5 superb | wulolu | November 12th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | ctay145 | October 15th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Enzx | May 16th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Tasty | April 23rd 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | KyoZM | April 14th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Elynna | March 19th 17 |
| 1.5 very poor | coldfeet | February 28th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Tib | December 4th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Gazo | October 16th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | Soossi | October 8th 16 |
| 3.5 great | gilly | July 13th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Absobae | June 14th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | BenCee | June 6th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | em17ah | May 23rd 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Aeternal | February 15th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | alhric | January 22nd 16 |
| 4.5 superb | mEyck97 | December 13th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Vail | November 23rd 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Pavera | September 29th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Stonik | September 1st 15 |
| 3.5 great | Kriss | August 27th 15 |
| 5.0 classic | Nishe | August 10th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | BigTuna | March 28th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | heck | February 14th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | vasilag | February 13th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jeejee | November 16th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | hachi | November 3rd 14 |
| 4.5 superb | mikep87 | October 14th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Hybza | August 7th 14 |
| 3.0 good | Prole | August 3rd 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | jmh886 | March 19th 14 |
| 3.5 great | Nud | February 6th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Oldboy | January 25th 14 |
| 3.5 great | motyli | January 16th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Andrew | January 9th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | J | January 2nd 14 |
| 4.5 superb | MRDi | December 19th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | Hvalur | December 9th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | bjorkil | November 26th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | defbg | November 6th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Nifkin | October 20th 13 |
| 3.0 good | adr | October 17th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | marasm | September 14th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Shooz | August 31st 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kruppe | August 28th 13 |
| 3.0 good | k4yser | August 18th 13 |
| 3.0 good | Hati | August 6th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Arashi | July 14th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | N2B3J | July 2nd 13 |
| 4.5 superb | daghe | June 26th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | adace1 | June 25th 13 |
| 2.5 average | tnd | May 31st 13 |
| 4.5 superb | MaM | May 14th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | JMH90 | April 23rd 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Defcol | April 18th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | DANcore | April 18th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | ViC122 | March 28th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | rid | March 27th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Warpt | March 25th 13 |
| 3.8 excellent | Trey STAFF | March 24th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | OllieS | March 18th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | alsid | March 17th 13 |
| 3.5 great | itchy | March 16th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | leycec | March 14th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | max13x | March 9th 13 |
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