Project Description
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ESCARION
‘TOWARDS A FUTILE EXISTENCE’
Album Review
(7th November 2023)
Review by Melanie Griffiths
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Melbourne metal band Escarion are back with bolder ambitions with their latest album release, ”Towards a Futile Existence”. A continuation of the band’s desire to investigate the human psyche, this is an album that pulls no punches while melding several metal influences to deliver gloriously rich sonic soundscapes.
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Towards a Futile Existence
Like a horse bolting out the gate, “Towards a Futile Existence” charges forward as the opener plunging listeners into a cacophony of raw emotion and unfiltered energy. The production is solid, delivering a punchy mix that captures the song’s aggressive essence. The goth-metal musical elements are straightforward, relying heavily on a heavy guitar riff and thunderous drums. This is a track that is undeniably dark and brooding. The vibe feels like a cathartic release and sets us up for a thunderous journey. Vocally, the performance is solid, with the singer delivering the lyrics with a convincing blend of angelic anguish.
May Hell Prevail on Earth
Following up from their debut album, “Towards a Futile Existence” progresses from the ideas of the failings of man to what the effects of technology, ensuing disconnection and modernity have on the human psyche. They’re dark themes but ones that thrash metal fans love to get elbow-deep in. In “May Hell Prevail on Earth”, Escarion take flight after a softly spoken intro pivots the track into a visceral sonic assault that hits you like a punch to the face. The production is raw and unpolished, mirroring the band’s aggressive aesthetic. The tone is dark and menacing, reflecting the band’s penchant for exploring the shadows of the human psyche leading to an intense and electrifying experience.
Gateways
This is a musical war cry, a declaration of defiance that demands to be heard, even if it might leave your ears ringing. Escarion has zoned in to produce melodious but fierce music where you can hear their many influences from metal, goth-rock and thrash. “Gateways” is razor-sharp, meticulously capturing Escarion’s ferocity. Featuring relentless guitar riffs and thunderous drums it’s a track that’s both exhilarating and disorienting. Vocally, the delivery is a powerful tirade that’s bound to leave a lasting impression, even if it’s just to provoke a strong reaction.
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Memoirs of Madness
Hold on to something because “Memoirs of Madness” is a frenetic whirlwind of melodic and soaring guitar riffs, creating a vortex of intensity. Extending the album’s themes of darkness and a sense of foreboding, it showcases Escarion’s knack for weaving an anxiety-driven atmosphere. The guttural growls also add depth to the song’s malevolent aura. It’s not for the faint of heart, but for those who appreciate their metal served with a side of unrelenting brutality, it’s a dark delight that delivers the musical equivalent of a punch to the gut.
Dynasty of Decadence
We get a breather with Dynasty of Decadence, a track that shows the light and shade of Escarion’s songwriting. The song’s sonic landscape is coated in a raw veneer, creating an atmosphere that feels both rebellious and underground. Musically, it thrives on a fusion of distorted guitars, pulsating basslines, and aggressive drum patterns, forming a symphonic concoction of industrial and metal elements. The musical elements feel the most varied in this song as pianos, guitars and drums all volley for prime position. Operatic and big, this brash track stands tall on this album.
Pandemonium
Fear creeps up your spine in “Pandemonium” as uneasiness settles over you about what’s to come. The track boasts a lush, multi-layered soundscape, meticulously crafted. The band’s proficiency in blending genres is evident, seamlessly fusing elements of progressive metal and symphonic rock. The musicality is intricate, with each instrument occupying its own space, yet harmoniously converging to create a rich and dynamic composition. “Pandemonium” is both technically impressive and emotionally resonant. It’s a sonic journey that lures you in and keeps you enthralled.
Zeitgeist
Zeitgeist roars with a primal, visceral quality that encapsulates the essence of Escarion’s metal prowess. The sound is unyielding, driven by thunderous drum patterns, menacing guitar riffs, and strong vocals that command attention. The sound is a relentless onslaught, embodying the raw, unfiltered aggression emblematic of the genre. Escarion skillfully navigates the realms of classic death metal here, infusing it with their own signature attitude and flavour delivering a ferocious experience for aficionados of uncompromising, old-school metal.
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Empire
Clocking in at over 10 minutes Escarion gives it everything they’ve got with the sumptuous “Empire”. The closer is a sonic odyssey that takes the listener on a dark, twisted journey through cosmic realms. The production is dense and immersive, shrouding the listener in a haunting atmosphere that feels as expansive as the universe itself. Musically, the song is a labyrinth of intricate guitar work, thunderous drums, and eerie pianos, creating a sense of otherworldly dissonance and unease. While the complexity of the musical elements showcases the band’s technical prowess, the song occasionally teeters on the edge losing itself in its complexity.
Despite this, “Empire” stands as a formidable song and a strong way to finish an album that bleeds with passionate dissonance leaving you both intrigued and slightly unsettled in its wake.
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If metal which pushes the boundaries while challenging the norm is what you desire then “Towards a Futile Existence” is what you need.
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Follow ESCARION
Instagram – Facebook
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Press Release 31st October 2023 (below) HERE
ESCARION
release new track + video
‘TOWARDS A FUTILE EXISTENCE’
New album released independently:
October 31st, 2023
Stream and Purchase HERE
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