The Contortionist brings to mind bands as diverse as Dream Theater, Sting and Tool on its sophomore release, Intrinsic.
Review by Russell Eldridge
According to the description on Facebook, The Contortionist is from the future. Is it possible that these guys have a flux capacitor powered by leftover trash, or might it be the older model that runs off plutonium?
The Contortionist is: Odd meter, guitars parts both heavy and beautiful, vocals covering a large portion of the metal gambit, bass lines that step up to the plate and percussion sticky enough to keep it all together coherently.
When “Holomovement” begins, Coldplay comes to mind, but it isn’t long before a much darker song creeps through the fingers of guitarists Robby Baca and Cameron Maynard. After about 16 seconds, the song feels like a mixture of A Perfect Circle with shades of Dream Theater. Then, before one might realize, necks are twisted and backs are broken with a brutal assault from the chameleon-like vocals of Jonathan Carpenter. This bipolar style of composition emits a feeling of unpredictably and danger, which goes hand in hand with the idea about the silent ones are the most dangerous.
“Feedback Loop” seems to follow an inverted version of the format used in “Holomovement,” with Christopher Tiller’s bass intro starting off the mayhem bringing to mind the band Otep. A minute into the song, a Gregorian chant vocal style eases listeners into a section reminiscent of Sting’s “I Hung My Head.” The next musical shifts will bring fans through a musical journey with sounds that seem influenced by Tool, Dream Theater, Steve Morse and Rush.
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Watch the video for “Casualty”
Directed by Justin Beasley of of KOTK Productions, the video comes as the band’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Intrinsic, is released Tuesday July 17.
“We’re very excited to have finished our first music video. We had a lot of fun shooting it and hope people enjoy it.” keyboardist and front man Jonathan Carpenter said. The video is a two part series in part with their track “Dreaming Schematics,” which will have its own video later this summer.
The band is currently on a headlining run with JEFF LOOMIS, presented by METALSUCKS with additional sponsorship from Royal Family Clothing and Guitar World Magazine. Supporting is CHIMP SPANNER on its debut US tour and 7 HORNS 7 EYES. The band will also be featured on a handful of dates in this year’s SUMMER SLAUGHTER TOUR.
