THE CHALLENGER

I've been keeping an eye out for anything Intronaut-related ever since I was pleasantly surprised by their 2008 release Prehistoricisms. Fortunately it didn't take me long to track this EP on Spotify and I've been listening to it ever since.

The Challenger is an EP released by the band in between the two full length studio releases and features three studio recorded new songs followed by five live recordings, one remix and even one untitled bonus track! The total play time adds up to just over 55 minuted meaning that this so called EP is actually longer than their studio albums! Since I haven't heard Intronaut's first album I don't have much experience of the band's early sound although judging from the live recordings, that are taken from Null and Void, it definitely seems that the band has matured quite a bit since those days.

The three new studio tracks all show signs of the band that I've heard on Prehistoricisms. The material might not be as Jazz-oriented but there are definite nods at the genre here and there. The most prominent signs of that comes in the long intro of Whittler Of Fortune followed by some of the most unexpected guitar interplays featured on this Death Metal driven material. If this EP only featured this great studio material followed by a remix and the bonus track then it would have easily been comparable to the excellent Meshuggah 1994 EP titled None that preceded their breakthrough album Destroy Erase Improve.

The sound quality of the live recordings is generally decent although the sound of Sores Will Weep dives below this level due to its awkward distance quality. It's almost like the track was recorded as a bootleg from the audience area. The material itself might be of value to those who have actually heard the two previous releases since I sometimes can barely make out what the guitars are playing. The remix of Burning These Days from Null isn't something to be excited about since this track only lasts from 3 minutes in comparison to the 8 minute original.

Overall The Challenger is an interesting predecessor to Prehistoricisms that would have worked a lot better in a trimmed down form moving the live recordings to a separate live album. It's a good, but non-essential release for anyone who is interested in exploring the progression of the band's sound.

***** star songs: Whittler Of Fortune (5:05)

**** star songs: The Challenger (4:38) Deep Architecture (5:05) Fault Lines (live) (6:12) Rise To The Midden (live) (6:42) They (As In Them) (live) (7:12) Bonus Track (5:47)

*** star songs: Gleamer (live) (5:47) Burning These Days (remix) (2:54)

** star songs: Sores Will Weep (live) (6:01)

THE CHALLENGER is the third overall release and second EP by the progressive post sludge metal band INTRONAUT that is sandwiched between their first full debut "Void" and their second full album "Prehistorians." Although this is an EP it clocks in at a full 50 minutes. It is essentially a mix of three new tracks, five live cuts from "Null" and "Void," a truncated remix of "Burning These Days" from "Null" and an untitled bonus in the form of a stupid and irritating sound check but thankfully is at the end of the album so i can just simply *ignore* it :)

The three new tracks: "The Challenger","Whittler Of Fortune" and "Deep Architecture" pretty much see INTRONAUT continuing the sound set forth on their debut album "Void," however they seemed to have upped the aggression and downed the progressiveness. These tracks are more geared towards aggressive sludge metal with a post-metal type of atmosphere. While the progressive aspects have been toned down they certainly didn't go away and there are plenty of angular rhythms, technical drumming displays and deathened, anguished vocals to be heard.

The live tracks are fairly well done showing the band churning out some seriously muddy and hostile sounding post-sludgery. Since these tracks are taken from their first two releases they are more straight forward sludge meets post-metal sounding like a mix of maybe The Ocean meets Isis or Pelican. The production is actually nice for a live recording and the highlight of these tracks is the eerie mix of guitar sounds. While one guitarist churns out the rhythmic backbone of the songs, the other is creating strange atmospheric embellishments and when it comes to the solos they sound more like something off a freaky psychedelic Krautock album from the 70s then anything to be heard in metal. This EP is also the last for guitarist Leon del Muerte.

The remix for "Burning These Days" is a nice no-nonsense burst of spastic drumming, highly distorted jangly guitars and occasional sampling effects that add interesting mood dynamics. It has an interesting high speed volume fade in / out ending. The only track that is a waste of time is number 10 which is a sound check of the mic and drums with some profanities thrown in. Boring! This is not a stellar release by INTRONAUT but it was never intended to be. It's just a nice package of extra goodies for fans. While this may not be in the top leagues of their discography is certainly a worthy addition if you already dig their unique progressive sludgy post metal. The new tracks are certainly as good as anything on their debut and the live set is a nice sampling of their live capabilities. 3.5 rounded down