Written: June 15th 2024
Ever since their debut album Lo-Def(intion) Discord in 1998, earthtone9 have been revered as an innovative, insightful and musically sophisticated band that challenged the norms of the sub-genres in which they reside. Masters of balancing intensity with musicality, they split in 2002, only to return in 2013 with IV before disappearing once again.
Eleven years later, they have emerged from their lengthiest hiatus with In Resonance Nexus, an album which the band believe sees them recapturing what they are truly about. “In Resonance Nexus, as a title, is saying that we’ve found the core and the essence of the band again,” says vocalist Karl Middleton. “We were digging deep to find common musical ground, and between Joe and Owen, and I, it really felt like that there was a resonance there. It feels like we've landed on a really legitimate, 21st century version of the band. We were asking, ‘Why are we doing this?’ and having a very authentic answer.”
Diving into In Resonance Nexus, long time listeners will be keen to establish if the band have truly produced an album that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as classics such as Arc’tan’gent. The Polyphony of Animals is the perfect choice as an opening track, delicately balancing the aggression and melody which permeates this album. Beginning with a barrage of drums, heavy staccato riffs and aggressive but compelling vocals from Middleton during the verses, these prove a strong counterpoint to the effortlessly melodic choruses. Fast paced and intoxicating from the outset, The Polyphony of Animals as a title points to themes of diversity, co-existence and the intricate interplay of life, perhaps referring to the band themselves and their rediscovery of each other during the making of this album. Second track Navison Record steps up the intensity as discordant, insistent guitars initially clash before amalgamating into urgent melody. Middleton’s performance across the album is one of the best you are likely to hear this year and he has lost none of his dynamic belligerence. The band are also on wonderful form and with the drum seat occupied by Bullet For My Valentine’s Jason Bowld, every moment of aggression or passage of thoughtfully placed nuance serves the song. Two songs in and, so far, earthtone9 have not put a toe out of place.
In Resonance Nexus is nothing if not varied; Under The Snake begins with distant synth and gently picked guitar that evokes a slightly Eastern feel with shoegaze embellishments. As the track develops, the band toy with the listener, matching brooding harmonies with expertly crafted suspense before returning to a more contemplative quiet that is brutally disturbed by a relentless onslaught that populates some of the latter part of the track. Oceanic Drift is the most riff-driven track on the first half of the album and contains some of the fiercest instances of hostility to be found on In Resonance Nexus; however, the band play completely by their own rules and sections of captivating dark melody still encroach at scattered intervals. For fans of the band who wish to stay true to their roots but explore fresh creative territories, it is one of the most fascinating songs here. Lyrically, it delves into the theme of deceptive appearances. “I was thinking about the Joker movie, and the idea of him being the unreliable witness. So it just seemed like a really funny opening line, ‘what you see is what you get,’ because that's never been the case,” says Karl. “Also, the idea of oceanic drift is, in geological time, an incredibly slow process. That’s partially a reflection on how our last record was over a decade ago, the record before that was 12 years before that, so it's just these incredibly slow-moving things.”
The songwriting on In Resonance Nexus is quite staggering and the marvellous Black Swan Roulette – a contender for the best song on the album – is a remarkable piece of moody but thoroughly beguiling metal, the interplay between guitarists Owen Packard and Joe Roberts constantly reminding the listener of why the band are so singular but thoroughly authentic. It is perhaps the best example of where earthtone9 are in 2024. “The big thing is about being current and creative now, rather than shining too much of a light on the stuff that we've done in the past,” says Karl. “I don't want to dismiss that and our history is obviously important, but there's a flag in the sand with the album in terms of where we're at creatively. We’re saying: this is who we are. This is what we're about now.”
Every track on the album had to earn its place – almost forty songs were considered for inclusion – and each moment has been meticulously shaped and sculpted with earthtone9 prepared to throw out anything that did not reach their exacting standards. Lash of the Tongues, Etiquette of Distortion and Observe Your Course – the last of these containing a chorus wonderfully suited to a live environment, twinned with utterly pummelling verses - further display the diligence that has gone into each second of the album, with Lewis Johns’ superb production bringing out every single nuance it has to offer.
Penultimate track Third Mutuality is the most consistently quieter (not necessarily quiet) and slower paced offering here but its subtle use of quite beautiful, luscious vocals and harmonies, background effects, soaring guitar solos and enticing lyrics make it as engaging as anything else on the album. As it builds towards its conclusion, the song introduces moments of mesmerising power. Ending the album, the almost seven-minute Strength Is My Weakness, combines every musical avenue the band have visited, embodying the creative spark that has clearly yearned to resurface once more.
In Resonance Nexus is an astonishing album and it improves with every single listen. Inhabiting a range of metal sub-genres, this is the music of a band that deserve to be far bigger than they are. Returning with an album that will threaten the upper reaches of many albums of the year lists, In Resonance Nexus is sure to attract new fans but also delight long-time fans. So, dive in and revel in the distinctive earthtone9 sound that remains intact while embracing the varied and vibrant musical evolution that is abundantly evident throughout these ten songs. Astounding.
In Resonance Nexus is released on 21st June 2024
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