Oct 15

Neomantra’s 'Paranosis' is Affectionately Littered with Punishing Movements

REVIEW: Neomantra - Paranosis EP

NEOMANTRA are a post-metal band from Perth, Western Australia and they’ve just dropped their 5 track EP entitled Paranosis.

I say post-metal because they tap into different sonic textures than you would find in an EP by a progressive metal band. Textures that evoke the stylistic leanings of early Isis when they were more a repetitive sludge/noise band; or even the likes of Old Man Gloom. That said; there are progressive elements to Paranosis. But not in the way that you’d expect a progressive EP to be. Moreso in the argument of progressions of themes this EP evokes.

Paranosis is a dark and moody EP that traverses a landscape of darker emotions. Progressing through emotions of longing, loneliness, fear, melancholy, sadness, isolation, and depression - to name a few.

Themes explored amidst Neomantra’s unrelenting tapestry of brutal riffs. A tapestry that leans into faint echoes of electronica which provides an atmosphere where you’ll find comfort in the uncomfortable.

Where lead track “Consciousness” is repetitive, “Astral Prison” is bleak with guitar solos hitting an eastern-like quality which culminates in this post-metal gallop of sludgy fervour. Where “Dualism II” is slow, it audibly resonates as this calm peaking through a ferocious storm. Just as “Boltzmann Brain (Thought Experiment)” feels like an extended pursuit as the haunting guitars peak through the blinders of vocals that are savage and guttural. One of apocalyptic dread. Leaving “Atman/Brahman” to close out the EP with a feeling this last track is woefully unnecessary and doesn’t stand-out as a strong composition like the pre-ceding four tracks.

For me, I resonate with “Astral Prison” the most as the song to its core represents the band at their musically finest whilst communicating this message of darkness incarnate.

All in all, a fine outing for a band that doesn’t concern itself with the bastardised wankery of drawn out solos which serve no real purpose. Paranosis is affectionately littered with heavy and punishing movements which satisfy the post-metal or post-sludge fan. There’s a lot of depth to it. Its rich in texture.

And this is why Neomantra's Paranosis is My Kind Of Weird.