Erostratus

Erostratus came to me via Submission, and I’m really grateful they did. They demonstrate great dynamics, musicianship and all this with pop validity and great vocals. I would say that their music is a mix of emo, prog, post-rock, math-pop and alternative 90’s ballad rock. The album features mid range bass and really Tool type of polyrhythmic drum structures. The guitar gets so water-like at times and really streams forward in a laser beam-like dance. I love the palm muted guitar that really makes the 90’s a part of the more modern post-rock explosions.

Glimmer features a polished poetry that is rarely found within modern bands. Many of the math genres feature complex patterns and signatures, yet fail when it comes to evoking a real sense of emotion. This band has so many different elements that simply work. Original, novel, and moving, they bring to their music a sense of nostalgia without delivering something we’ve heard before. The song utilizes Post-rock technique and effects in a punchy and more intriguing way. Incubus type vocal sections overlay over huge tropical swells in Pressure Cooker. The song has a section where the bassist is allowed to let loose and he plays some Tony Levin styled runs that are standout and really surprise the listener. Lupine demonstrates good use of twinkle styled lines alongside some nice bass. The drumming is clever and tight and executes some 5:4 and 6:8 rhythms. The song takes us on an emotional journey via their iconic delivery of sound. The layers of the song are so well weaved inside each other and retain an edge hardly identifiable with words. Inhale is like really refined Mutemath, pushing tempo and proving drum and bass’s invasion into pop-rock. The track also hits more Incubus reminiscent vibes. Indie poppy guitar riffs come in and really lend a hand to our tendency to bob along with the music. I love the overall feel of Giveaway, it’s like a mix of math, prog, and pop. The soothing and eerie quality behind the track is really unique and makes this one my favorite. Honey Baby contains some clever 4 work and tightly fitted accents that create a push and pull effect. Blind Spot sounds like a mix of Soundgarden, Incubus, and Buckethead. Last but not least, Storms has a 5:4 base, which I am almost always a fan of! It displaces itself into a 4:4 countertime before distorted, The Bends flavored, grungy, and reverb addicted riffs.

All in all, an album I highly recommend, especially to those who like to add a hint of nostalgia to their taste for complex and mature music. - Spread - Ren Walker