Disclaimer: I ran through my iTunes pretty freakin quick to find these instrumentals so it is not even an exhaustive list of the instrumentals in albums I own.
First, lets start with some honorable mentions:
- Elegy (Parts II & III) - Becoming the Archetype
- Intro to I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab for Cutie
Same problem as Elegy. However entrancing the intro to this song may be, it just is not an instrumental through and through.
- Alive is Dead - Zao
This song is absolutely driven by mesmerizing drums. Jesse Smith could be one of the most premier hardcore drummers of his time because of his composition skills, not the speed at which he plays. This doesn't make the list because it just isn't as good as some of Zao's other instrumentals.
- Witchhunter - Zao
Interladen vocals do this in. Although quiet, they are very much the core of the song, so it couldn't be considered an instrumental. Definitely an intermission, though.
There are others. But I don't want to take up more space with the ones that DIDN'T make the list. that doesn't make sense.
Without further ado:
20. And the Sky Went Red - Demon Hunter
This instrumental is just the sound of a stampede of horses for 29 seconds. How could that make the list? It's lyrics. There are no words in the song, but there are lyrics in the booklet. "And blindly we held your hand and threw you down. We cursed your name, turned our backs, and begged you to embrace us." This song, in one, unspoken line, has perfectly described every human being in the history of existence.
19. Sampsa Meets Kafka - Showbread
There are words to this song. But they are unintelligible and fit in as music. "Gregor starved to death. No one dies of loneliness." One line. Taking the moral of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis into their own hands, Showbread experiments themselves into a deep, deep understanding of the human psyche.
18. No Passenger: No Parasite - Norma Jean
Once again, it has words. This is why they are so low ;D "Wake up. No passenger, no parasite." One line, one very deep meaning. Listen to the song. Close your eyes. Be entranced. And see if you can figure it out.
17. The Beginning(Anorexia) - Showbread
A piano solo that sweeps through a verse of "Wondrous Cross." Basically PERFECTLY wraps up the first album in Showbread's double album opus, Anorexia Nervosa. Try and fight the tears as the whole story wraps up and comes together.
16. Nocturne - Becoming the Archetype
Proving the band can do more than compose mega harsh guitar parts and pounding double bass. Done in electric guitar and piano with a hint of percussion, it sweeps you off your feet in the middle of the album.
15. The End (Omega) - Showbread [Nervosa]
The story starts to wrap up completely. You are beginning to see Nervosa's journey come to an end. This song simply envelops you in everything that has just happened and is yet to come. Wow.
14. Eve of the End - August Burns Red
One of the few songs on the list that can maintain the gut wrenching furiosity shown throughout the album while giving you a much needed break from, well, the gut wrenching furiosity shown throughout the album. Intense.
13. Number Four - Nodes of Ranvier
Before they sucked, Nodes was a good band. Number Four lulls you into an intro before stepping up the intensity level but without busting your head open. It keeps the intensity of the album, but in a pleasant, dreamlike way.
12. Night's Sorrow - Becoming the Archetype
Once again, err, rather, before Nocturne, BTA brought a classical acoustic sound in the middle of the album. Beautifully composed, Night's Sorrow shows metal's true roots in classical music.
11. Sotto Voce - The Human Abstract
If any song could bring out the classical roots we just talked about better than Night's Sorrow, it's Sotto Voce. Sorry BTA, but THA is light years more advanced than you in terms of technical composition.
10. It's Going to Be Okay - Nodes of Ranvier
Another dreamlike metal song, complete with absolutely beautiful and simple guitar melodies. They soon become more distorted, drums kick in, and it quickly turns into a song to close your eyes and bob your head to. Definitely a good sound check song to get your crowd going.
9. The Flies (Anorexia) - Showbread
Thrown right into the middle of the album during a critical point in the story, Showbread pulls out all the stops to create a tune that makes it impossible to not get drawn in by what goes on in the story. Even standalone, this song is a turning point in the album and does its job perfectly.
8. Man in Cage Jack Wilson - Zao
This song closes out Zao's epic Liberate te ex Inferis: Save Yourself From Hell album. It ties everything you've just heard together. And it does it well. From start to finish, it just pulls you in farther and farther into an inside look at a Dante-esque madness and chaos. The song is a continual crescendo. Jesse Smith blows my mind.
7. The Flies (Nervosa) - Showbread
In my opinion, The Flies (N) is INFINITELY better than The Flies (A). Why? The underlying theme and the backstory proves crucial. The turning point about a third-way into the song also helps this song. Unbelievable. It kills me.
6. I Lay Sleepless in My Grave - Zao
This song introduces the closer to a concept album about what would happen if God said, "screw it. these people don't care. let them find their own way." Not a good scenario. But this song alone brings us back to earth after the wild ride and seamlessly brings us from the terror of separation into a glorious reunion.
5. Desiderata - The Human Abstract
Call it a 4 minute intro to arguably the best song on the album. THA absolutely handcuffs you into a trance and shows us all why they could fare as classical composers just as well as metal musicians. Look them up. Seriously.
4. Intro - Zao
Luckily they only have one song called "Intro." But this one refers to an album already mentioned, Liberate. (for short.) Intro is the descent. It's the first impression. It is welcoming us to Zao's interpretation of chaos, based primarily on Dante. Zao literally owns the metal/hardcore throne as far as instrumentals go. And epic albums.
3. Night Diving - Thrice
This is a concept song. It paints an undeniable audial picture. At least for me. And then I read an article about it and it turns out, my mental painting wasn't far off. Just keep the title in mind, close your eyes, and let the song take you on its journey.
2. The Great Gig in the Sky - Pink Floyd
Oh. My. The vocals on this song are the best you will ever hear. EVER. This song turns the page in Dark Side of the Moon and is absolutely the best vocal solo anyone will ever turn out.
1. Violet - Zao
Remember what I said about owning the instrumental throne in metal? This song is why. It closes out probably my favorite album of all time, Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest. The album is so deep you need a nuclear submarine to listen to it. It's more emotional than anything I've ever experienced. Dan Weyandt let everything go to write these songs. Blood and Fire is the pinnacle of Zao's tenured career and Violet brings all the emotions, all the feelings to a beautiful close. This song has probably influenced my life more than any other song and there isn't a word spoken in it. It means the world to me.
As I went through the list I was like...Violet...Violet...Violet where are you!!!
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