Despite my general disdain for instrumental music, 2009s Immeasurable , the debut by this Wisconsin instrumental act , really caught my ear. Featuring a former metal journalist and member of post rockers Northless and death metal act Ara, Jerry Hauppa and cello player James Becker, the follow up, V is a 5 song concept piece based on the well known 5 stages of Grief developed by Dr Elizabeth Kubler -Ross (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance), a process I go through every Sunday afternoon watching the New Orleans Saints play this season.
What’s immediately noticeable about Concentric‘s second effort is while it keeps its acoustic, cello laced, jazz and flamenco based progressive technicality, there’s is a much more focused metal element with a concerted effort to include more electric guitar riffage, a prominent, steady bass and more featured drums and overall, a more hefty and heavy approach. That’s not to say the act has lost their dazzling, acoustics and experimental flare and gorgeous cello use, it’s just now this release is going to open the act up a little more to far more, notoriously picky metal fans.
Still, Concentric‘s sound is a many layered one that should be fully appreciated with headphones and a dedicated listening session, not a casual or random listen. There is just a stunning array of sounds going on on each of the 5 tracks that they each require your full attention at all times. And that is even which what appears to me a more streamlined and focused sound.
The songs seem to masterfully capture the essence of their given titles; the 10 minute opener “Denial” is busy, convoluted and jarring, as is the shorter, more explosive and discordant “Anger”. which ends with a stern stomp. Both opening tracks amount to basically acoustic/instrumental takes on technical death metal or other technical acts like Spiral Architect (both noted influences on Mr Hauppa). However, it’s the latter the tracks/stages where Concentric really shine as the representative stages lend themselves more more elegant and introspective instrumentation, especially the cello, which really adds to the already stunning “Bargaining” and somber “Depression” beautifully. A hammered dulcimer graces closer “Acceptance” a more uplifting and appropriately paced, more acoustic number with a simply glorious final couple of minutes.
I’d still be really interested to hear what this act could do with some well implemented vocals (I’m thinking Micheal Akerfeldt’s clean croons) as everything from the song writing, superb skill and perfect production are in line for something special, if they can break of the insular instrumental music scene.
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this is pretty interesting stuff; like a very busy, acoustic Scale the Summit. lots of overlapping threads and poly-melodic layering.
on Dec 12th, 2012 at 12:21I grabbed their first one when it was reviewed here a few years ago. Got it for free actually. The band was giving it away if you emailed them. I’ll have to check this out. They used blast beats I believe. I haven’t listened to it in a while.
on Dec 12th, 2012 at 12:59the whole record can be streamed at the website linked at the end of the review. as with the last record, if you want it i will mail it to you for free.
on Dec 12th, 2012 at 16:10Also, the brand new Ara EP can be streamed here.
arawi.bandcamp.com
‘a process I go through every Sunday afternoon watching the New Orleans Saints play this season.’ Are you from New Orleans? I am.
on Dec 15th, 2012 at 18:20