I read that Esthesis is a post-progressive and alternative rock band from Toulouse (France) with strong cinematic, industrial and post-rock vibes. That is a mouth full. When I read this, I frown and find it funny that there are so many names for music directions these days. It almost seems that every band can have its own name in terms of movement. I draw the comparison here with being allowed to be authentic, because as human beings, aren't we all authentic and also unique? I think that's completely okay for humanity, but should it also be in music? As if we want to have some kind of control by reading in what direction the music moves before making the choice whether or not to listen to it. On the other hand, it does provide some framework. But for me, frameworks are actually counterproductive, because I don't always think I like every movement on paper, while I can be completely surprised by the music. Finally, I cannot always filter out what music can sound like from currents, so I cannot imagine it. Is this bad? Not at all, because I like to be surprised by what my ears hear in the music to be reviewed. That being said, Esthesis have released two albums before Out Of Step. Their debut The Awakening (2020, see review) and follow up Watching Worlds Collide (2022, see review). This is their third one. Esthesis now consists of Aurelien Goude on vocals, keyboards, drum & FX programming, newcomer Arnaud Nicolau on Drums & FX programming, Marc Anguill on bass guitar, newcomer Remi Geyer on lead guitar and Mathilde Collet on backing vocals. Let's take a look at the music. Connection is the first song you will hear. This one has a threatening sphere, the music moves you, hypnotizes you, has thundering guitars like post-rock needs, the drumming drives the song and above all it is a stubborn one. A fantastic opening song. The Frame is a song that has more progressive rock moves, the guitar parts remind me of Riverside, the singing is a bit like Pendragon on the Passion (2011, see review) album. The rhythm section delivers great work in this one. Towards the end the drumming is so subtle, combined with a great guitar solo and threatening keyboards. It has a bombastic ending, just like the first one. After these great two songs, it is time to slow down a bit with Fractured #1, a keyboard song from one minute. Now it is time for the best song on the album, Out Of Step. There is so much happening in this song and it is so from extremely left to extremely right and all between that. I have to bow my head for all the complete madness you will hear in this song. This is how music needs to be made. With one word: fantastic! City Of Lights starts symphonic, a bit easy listening. A song that stands on its own and is welcome after all the heaviness of the predecessors. Near the end a nice guitar solo can be heard. A nice song to listen to, but not the best one on the record. After City Of Lights you can hear the second part of Fractured, named Fractured #2. Another spot for the keyboard player. Circus is number seven. The drumming is up tempo; the vocals are emotional. There are also vocals that bother me a bit in this song, more could have been gotten out of it. Musical wise it is more exciting. Towards the end it is Arnaud again who abused his drum kit, especially his cymbals. Also, this song is not the best on the album for me. The Storm is the last song on the album and it is the longest track at almost eleven minutes. In epics the song always takes its time to develop, this time it is no other story. The singing together is a feast for the ears. It is not a normal progressive rock song because of the style of the band. After four minutes the keyboards makes sounds in the vein of Fates Warning with their Disconnected (2000) album. After this episode the song switches to a slightly louder level, but do not get used to it because then it switches to earlier levels again. You can dream away on the guitar parts, so lovely played. So are the keyboards towards the end. They tell their own story and slowly you can feel the storm coming to a climax, after which the song fades away. A good song to close the regular album. But after the last song on the album we have Abyss, a bonus track. In my opinion it is not a bonus track, but a normal track on the album. It is a good post rock song that fits very well. The overall conclusion is that there are a lot of good songs on this album. But not all the songs are of equal quality. City Of Lights and Circus don't really leave an impression. For me the songs Connection, The Frame and The Storm are really good songs and Out Of Steps is the best song on the album. In the first paragraph I wrote about all the styles that you could hear in the music of Esthesis. I have to admit that a lot of styles can indeed be heard in this music. I hope you will judge for yourself; you will not regret it at all. ***+ Michel Stolk (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
