UK progressive band Enochian Theory have made rapid progress since starting out in 2004. “LIFE .. And All It Entails” is the band’s third album. The recording and mixing were assigned to Rob Aubrey who they met while touring with Spock’s Beard, and Andy Vadette, who has been involved with Porcupine Tree, did the mastering. The attention to detail is striking, as you would expect from anything associated with Porcupine tree.
I have to say from the outset that this album reminded me strongly in its style and structure of Anathema’s “We’re Here Because we’re Here”, with a strong undercurrent of Haken as well. In fact as I listened to “Distances”, the fourth track on “LIFE … And All It Entails”, the harmonies were so familiar that I had to double check it wasn’t Haken’s Ross Jennings on the vocals. Similarities aside, there’s a lot that can be done with Progressive Rock/Metal rhythms, and the trick is to reflect the mood in the music, the rhythms, vocals and words. Life, worries, fears and resignation are all reflected in the music. Entrancing and delicate guitar rhythms are typical but there’s always a sense of purpose so it is never allowed to drift away into nothing. “Hz” has a reflective melancholy worthy of Katatonia. This is not on a single level. This track has a fantastic electronic heart beat. We head off into a dreamland. The sound of the keyboard runs through the background like a river, and then an orchestral section cuts in. It’s as smooth as silk but only momentarily as the following track “Non Sum Qualis Eram” is dark and melancholic, featuring deep psychedelic Prog whisperings. The mood returns to the chugging rhythm of the uplifting “Distances”. A brilliant riff develops. The soft pitch and drum section are perfect for the vocalist. A cascading guitar and key rhythm develops. As “Distances” is haunting, so “Inversions’ features wonderful progressions. The power comes softly and gently. “Hold this in fascination, while accepting our short duration, here”, utters the vocalist. The piano resembles flowing water. The management of sound is first class.
The disturbing, nightmarish and faintly industrial noises of “Creatio ex Nihilio” mark the return of dark clouds. It makes us stop and think. The darkness remains this time and “In Times of Silence” is more atmospheric and less fluid than before. There are ominous whisperings in the background. The acoustic work is reminiscent of Opeth. This leads into the dark and atmospheric beginnings of “For Your Glory, Great Deceiver”. Growls and anguished screams mingle with eerie sounds. The deception is evident in the vocalist’s anguished please: “Can’t take it any more, this sense of loss and yet still in my hands”. The track is patient as ever but the guitars cut in to reflect the anxiety. Emotions are captured superbly. For the rest of “LIFE …And All It Entails”, we return to the mellow side. “Nisi Crediteritis, Non Intelligetis” is another patient, light orchestral driven acoustic track. It bursts into controlled energy. But even before that, the solid rhythm ensures it doesn’t drift away with the fairies. On the contrary, this is strong. The growls and reinforced keyboard work add extra punch. Another spoken section and melancholic acoustic track follows, but “The Motives of the Machine” is rich, exotic and warm. This album is never truly cold but it can be unsettling but is frequently warm. “Singularities” is another delicate track. The standard pitter-patter backs a crescendo of emotion and power. What makes it special is the floating magic running through the background. It’s easy to get carried away with this. The piano then plays its part as the album quietly drifts away down the steam. But there is a bonus in the form of a re-mastered version of “The Fire Around the Lotus” off the 2009 album “Evolution: Creatio ex Nihilio”. Bonus tracks can unbalance a good work but not here. Although the mood varies, the flow remains and this album is about flow. It’s steady and patient to begin. Growls and harshness enter the scene. “The Fire Around the Lotus” is typical of what we’ve heard. As it develops musically and atmospherically, the listener is enticed to develop with it.
Somehow I’ve previously managed to miss both the previous recordings and live performances of Enochian Theory. On the strength of “LIFE … and ALL It Entails”, it’s time I did something about it. It sounds like other known Progressive Rock and Metal bands, for sure, but this album is full of feeling and ideas, and definitely worth a listen.
(7 / 10 Andrew Doherty)
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