The ContortionistClairvoyant

From star-gazing deathcore (2009’s Apparition EP and 2010 debut album Exoplanet) to high-concept sci-fi prog (2012’s Intrinsic), Indianapolis progressive metal sextet The Contortionist have defined their career by degrees of scope: each release appears to reign in their narrative focus while also expanding their sonic palette, drawing from wide breadth of progressive influences. 2014’s breakthrough hit Language was the first record to feature vocalist Michael Lessard (formerly of Last Chance to Reason), and saw the band turn their penchant for delicate instrumentals, mind-bending grooves and sombre vocals into a metaphysical juggernaut.

With the same line-up in place and returning to producer/collaborator Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me, Through The Eyes Of The Dead), Clairvoyant is the band’s fourth full-length album, and finds the six-piece doubling down on their expansive soundscapes. Continuing their narrowing of narrative scope, Clairvoyant is a deeply personal record. The track Monochrome—split in two, bookending the album’s respective sides as (Passive) and (Pensive)—details a person’s emotional descent (mirrored in the dark, whirlpool-esque artwork), as Lessard reflects on death, permanence, recovery and ultimately, exaltation.

At times haunting, ethereal and gloriously introspective, Clairvoyant is an album that demands to be felt rather than heard

Lead single Reimagined pulsates with groove and emotion from the rhythm section, while gorgeous layers of guitar, reverb and keys add delicate touches to Lessard’s performance, as he implores us to “Oh, come find/This caged me.” Elsewhere, the album’s title track sounds like a cut direct from BTBAM’s Colors, with harsh vocals, drone riffs and virtuosic guitar solos, while Relapse pairs vivid, synth wanderings with djent-flavoured, down-tuned riffs. As tight as Clairvoyant is (and believe us, it is positively lush), Lessard’s performance here successfully alternates between understated and breathtaking—take the richly harmonised mid-section of Absolve, or the emotional depth he brings to Godspeed.

At times haunting, ethereal and gloriously introspective, Clairvoyant is an album that demands to be felt rather than heard, and with it, The Contortionist have dared to speak a new language.

STICK THIS NEXT TO: Between The Buried And Me, Opeth, Cynic
STANDOUT TRACKS: Relapse, Absolve, Reimagined

Clairvoyant will be available from September 15th via eOne Music/Good Fight Music.