Review by Rachel Jablonski
As I pass other people, I always do my best to smile in greeting and say hello. But I have been noticing a disturbing trend. More often than not others do not smile back. They may give a lifeless nod or might mutter a half-assed greeting if I’m lucky, but typically people are straight up stone faced. Why are people so miserable? Ok let’s be honest, I get moody sometimes too (understatement), but even so I do my best to sincerely acknowledge others. People are just not happy. Until recently I couldn’t pinpoint the reason, but I now understand. Obviously, they must not have heard The Challenger from Los Angeles’ Intronaut yet.
Quickness, heaviness, distortion, lyrics like the overbearing darkness would seem appropriate but does not our filth hide… don’t be expecting happy-go-lucky bliss by any means. But the sounds of Intronaut will definitely bring about a smile of deep appreciation. Or at least heighten the beaming that the band’s excellent full-length debut Void impressed upon some of us last year. Carry over will be expected as three songs on The Challenger EP are live versions of tracks on Void; the other live tracks are songs from the band’s first EP called Null. But prepare for enrichment as three new tracks and a remix will beguile even the most distressed. Odd time signatures and changing tempos prevent mental stagnation; the listener flows with the fluctuations which results in a form of peace of mind. The new songs are well developed and are truly atmospheric metal at its finest.
There’s just some ingredient to Intronaut's music that creates a grasping aura allowing escape into worry-free thought. As if passing me on the street and receiving my greetings doesn’t give others the same feeling. I mean really… look at this face!