First rule as a music consumer: don't believe everything the band's publicity tells you. Eso-Charis is a hardcore band out of Arkansas that has been around for some time, but this is their first major recording. Half of the band consists of members of hardcore outfit Living Sacrifice, and therein lies the problem. Because of the connection between the personnel of the two bands, Eso-Charis spends a lot of time distancing themselves from LS. Their publicity points out time and time again that this is a different band with a different sound. Matt Putnam describes the sounds of the two bands as "worlds apart," but are they really? They claim LS is more technical while this band is more melodic, but I just don't hear it. There isn't that much of a difference. This is still very aggressive hardcore/death metal with a lot of the trademark screaming throughout. Recorded in 1997 it is just now seeing the light of day.
Hardcore is an inherently "angry" form of music, and most of the Christian hardcore bands I've listened to, use that to their advantage, dealing with issues of doubt and self-analysis and the battle between flesh and spirit. But here there are some songs that lyrically come closer to songs of praise and exhortation, which doesn't seem to fit the style of music. Maybe I'm showing my age and prejudice, but it is hard to listen to a song that declares, "Stand up and praise, you must be strong" being uttered in a screaming/growling fashion. There are a few occasions where there is some actual melodic singing going on, but these are few and far between.
In the end, it's just more of the same.
2.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis March 2002Reviewed by Nate BaileyEso-Charis contains two members of Living Sacrifice. This album was recorded by Barry Poynter and released on Solid State. While Eso-Charis contains members of LS, they are nothing like them. This is not to say that they are gentle, but instead of the metal presentation, there is a new-school hardcore feel. Plenty of gut wrenching screaming, breakdowns, double bass, and occasional technical…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Shelby FosterAdd eight members, dress them all in boiler suits, and disguise their identities with horrifically gruesome caricature masks of the twelve disciples, and Eso-Charis could be on to a winning formula. Of all the Solid State bands, they are the first to sound (whether intentionally or not) uncomfortably like a Christian parody of Iowa's most infamous sons, Slipknot (with a lead singer also called…Art for the Ears 1999Reviewed by Marco PovervestPure power, that's how I would describe this band. But it's more than power alone. It's chaotic and with an alternative twist. The album kicks off with the song with which they opened their energetic set at the Brainwave Festival: Born With A Future. The sound is huge with the hoarse vocals of Cory Putnam. Man, his throat must be aching after a show! This debut-album contains nine songs produced…HM Magazine #74Reviewed by Chad OlsonAfter touring with Living Sacrifice and Embodyment, and also having Bruce Fitzhugh co- produce this debut, these guys are unleashed on disc. With vocals not much unlike Bruce's, the music is more progressive than either of their touring mates, which gives them a wider appeal. To order, write: 1510 North Hills Blvd, Van Buren AR 72956The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Chris KingMan, I like this album!!! Eso-Charis is a four-piece hardcore band from Arkansas with an independently released CD (produced by Bruce Fitzhugh of Living Sacrifice) and a knack for writing killer songs. I saw them play with Living Sacrifice and Embodyment in Tucson, Arizona, and was impressed enough to buy their CD right after their set. You can read the review of that show here. What a great live…Similar sounding releases
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