The Esoteric – Subverter
Prosthetic Records – 6561910039-2 – October 17th, 2006
By Jason Jordan
The Esoteric have settled into a post-hardcore sound that is less varied than their Prosthetic debut With the Sureness of Sleepwalking, though it befits them nicely. Subverter, while a different kind of record on the whole, isn’t really a step forwards or backwards. Instead, TE have allowed themselves to mature and subsequently craft an album that could serve as a springboard for greatness.
Whereas their previous effort had a few exceptional tracks that stood head and shoulders above the rest, Subverter is not only more cohesive, but it’s more consistent in the quality department, too. Whether one is listening to catchy opener ‘Destroy, She Said,’ guest vocal-led ‘Don’t Waste Guts,’ or the Mastodon-like ‘Clone Culture and the Cut-up Method,’ it’s apparent that The Esoteric are confident and poised. What’s more assuring, however, is that the songs listed above aren’t even necessarily the best ones on this full-length, especially if the Neur-Isis-core/post-rock influenced ‘Shipyards of Foreign Cities,’ the spunky ‘Our Exquisite Corpse,’ and the hard-hitting ‘You Are the Execution’ are considered. The production is superior to that of WtSoS, though the musicianship is of the same caliber. Still in place are Cruz’s hoarse rasps and, like always, they remain difficult to warm up to.
Between securing distribution rights to Gojira’s From Mars to Sirius and releasing new ones by The Esoteric, Kylesa, and Yakuza, Prosthetic’s had a pretty good year. Fans of With the Sureness of Sleepwalking will want to pick up Subverter, but to reiterate, it appears that they’re on the verge of something special and aren’t quite there yet. Nevertheless, it’s another bankable entry to an already impressive discography.
Official The Esoteric Website
Official Prosthetic Records Website
Prosthetic Records – 6561910039-2 – October 17th, 2006
By Jason Jordan
The Esoteric have settled into a post-hardcore sound that is less varied than their Prosthetic debut With the Sureness of Sleepwalking, though it befits them nicely. Subverter, while a different kind of record on the whole, isn’t really a step forwards or backwards. Instead, TE have allowed themselves to mature and subsequently craft an album that could serve as a springboard for greatness.
Whereas their previous effort had a few exceptional tracks that stood head and shoulders above the rest, Subverter is not only more cohesive, but it’s more consistent in the quality department, too. Whether one is listening to catchy opener ‘Destroy, She Said,’ guest vocal-led ‘Don’t Waste Guts,’ or the Mastodon-like ‘Clone Culture and the Cut-up Method,’ it’s apparent that The Esoteric are confident and poised. What’s more assuring, however, is that the songs listed above aren’t even necessarily the best ones on this full-length, especially if the Neur-Isis-core/post-rock influenced ‘Shipyards of Foreign Cities,’ the spunky ‘Our Exquisite Corpse,’ and the hard-hitting ‘You Are the Execution’ are considered. The production is superior to that of WtSoS, though the musicianship is of the same caliber. Still in place are Cruz’s hoarse rasps and, like always, they remain difficult to warm up to.
Between securing distribution rights to Gojira’s From Mars to Sirius and releasing new ones by The Esoteric, Kylesa, and Yakuza, Prosthetic’s had a pretty good year. Fans of With the Sureness of Sleepwalking will want to pick up Subverter, but to reiterate, it appears that they’re on the verge of something special and aren’t quite there yet. Nevertheless, it’s another bankable entry to an already impressive discography.
Official The Esoteric Website
Official Prosthetic Records Website
