Album Review: earthtone9 – In Resonance Nexus
Reviewed by Tim Finch
It’s been a long time coming, eleven years since their last album ‘IV’ and twenty four years since their masterpiece ‘Arc'Tan'Gent’ was released, but June 2024 sees the return of earthtone9 in all their glory. The band release latest opus ‘In Resonance Nexus’ via Candlelight Records.
From the very beginning earthtone9 offered the heavy music world something different. 1998’s ‘Lo-Def(inition) Discord’ offered young impressionable fans (as I was back then) something different, something just as heavy and crushing as the likes of Slayer, but with a twist so profound, it was like it placed them worlds apart. Those early albums, including ‘Off Kilter Enhancement’ and ‘Arc’Tan’Gent’ were mesmerising, they drew many of us into the earthtone9 ether, a place few of us ever left. Albums that at the time never got the credit they deserved yet defined a new path for like-minded bands to tread.
As the opening notes ‘The Polyphony Of Animals’ kicks in it is immediately evident that earthtone9 have not lost an ounce of what made them what they were in their heyday. There is no introduction, or warm up for what is to come, the dual guitars of Owen and Joe along with the pounding beat of new drummer Jay Walsh hit the listeners from the off. This opening ditty is an all out statement of intent for what earthtone9 is in 2024.
As with all of their work, they never shy away from boundary pushing ideas, ‘Navison Road’ with its jarring opening leading into a fast paced onslaught that melds aggression, melody and varying tempo to perfection. Whilst ‘Under The Snake’ really does turn the album on its head, far more serene, with the genteel guitar and haunting atmospherics leading into a mesmerising five minute dreamscape.
In an interview with Karl (airing this Wednesday on this channel!) he tells how the return of Joe Roberts on guitar has lifted the bands game, and this is evident throughout. Joe and Owen together craft swathes of riffs that return us to that epic earthtone9 sound.
Latest single ‘Black Swan Roulette’ sweeps in from left field, with an overall darker feel, galloping melodies and Karl at his vocal peak. Whilst ‘Observe Your Course’ brings in out and out aggression and a unique dual vocal assault. Malli Malpass (vocalist of cult heroes Onedice and former vocalist of Blastcage – the entity from which earthtone9 spawned) was given a blank slate to do what they saw fit with their own segments. The result is one of the albums highlights with the vocal back and forth between the two being utilised sublimely.
It has been a long eleven years without earthtone9, and if there was any doubt that the band can produce to the level they did “back in the day” then throw that away now. Many fans hold ‘Arc’Tan’Gent’ deep in their hearts, ‘In Resonance Nexus’ is right up there battling for that top spot. earthtone9 are back, and have become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
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