Jesuscentric

Jesuscentric [12-inch] (2010)

Brian Shultz

Jesuscentric go by way of some mildly creepy and experimental post-metal/rock type stuff. Obviously, the name is pretty tongue-in-cheek; the cover's got a pair of praying zombie hands holding rosary beads, so yeah. They've provided no lyrics, so I couldn't say whether that frank perception towards Christianity is expressed much on this five-song, self-titled 12" EP. But I can say the release is an interesting, comprehensible listen.

What Jesuscentric do here might have some resorting to a Neurosis RIYL, but musically and instrumentally they're actually really not that heavy on the surface. In fact, their sound is sort of thin and bare, yet inherently effective. The screamy, growly vocals are caustic and sharp, but not overwhelming; the spacey, distant buildups of thudded drums and delicate guitar twinkles are quiet and evasive, consistently dwelling upon really minimal sounds, volumes and textures. But you keep listening to see where they're going with them, and rock out along with the band when the ugly bass rears its head to force something like eight-minute opener "Third Universe" to begin its hallowed and lurching but carefully measured prowl. It's the necessary, conventional loud to the soft, but there for the much-needed contrast and to give the EP its fullness.

There are four other tracks on here of wildly varying lengths, but you get a good idea of the goings-on with that sprawling opener, in either more miniature bursts ("Interlude," which is :57) or only somewhat shorter versions (closer "Deer Shank," 6:36). A fairly cool, more trepidative version of this style for sure.

STREAM
Third Universe
My Fields Will Be Covered with the Blood of My Enemies