Pure power, that's how I would describe this band. But it's more than power alone. It's chaotic and with an alternative twist. The album kicks off with the song with which they opened their energetic set at the Brainwave Festival: Born With A Future. The sound is huge with the hoarse vocals of Cory Putnam. Man, his throat must be aching after a show! This debut-album contains nine songs produced by the band and Bruce Fitzhugh whom you all know from Living Sacrifice and this was recorded, of course, at the Poynter Studios. If Zao and Training For Utopia had a child, it would be Eso-Charis. But this band stands on its own. Not all songs are as great as the first song but here's a band at work that knows what to do. The inlay of the CD could have been better because it lacks the lyrics (which are almost unintelligible) but has some silly photos but it's better than the American release. Nevertheless, this is good metalcore that's worth checking out.
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis March 2002Reviewed by Nate BaileyEso-Charis contains two members of Living Sacrifice. This album was recorded by Barry Poynter and released on Solid State. While Eso-Charis contains members of LS, they are nothing like them. This is not to say that they are gentle, but instead of the metal presentation, there is a new-school hardcore feel. Plenty of gut wrenching screaming, breakdowns, double bass, and occasional technical…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Shelby FosterAdd eight members, dress them all in boiler suits, and disguise their identities with horrifically gruesome caricature masks of the twelve disciples, and Eso-Charis could be on to a winning formula. Of all the Solid State bands, they are the first to sound (whether intentionally or not) uncomfortably like a Christian parody of Iowa's most infamous sons, Slipknot (with a lead singer also called…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Ken MuellerFirst rule as a music consumer: don't believe everything the band's publicity tells you. Eso-Charis is a hardcore band out of Arkansas that has been around for some time, but this is their first major recording. Half of the band consists of members of hardcore outfit Living Sacrifice, and therein lies the problem. Because of the connection between the personnel of the two bands, Eso-Charis spends…HM Magazine #74Reviewed by Chad OlsonAfter touring with Living Sacrifice and Embodyment, and also having Bruce Fitzhugh co- produce this debut, these guys are unleashed on disc. With vocals not much unlike Bruce's, the music is more progressive than either of their touring mates, which gives them a wider appeal. To order, write: 1510 North Hills Blvd, Van Buren AR 72956The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Chris KingMan, I like this album!!! Eso-Charis is a four-piece hardcore band from Arkansas with an independently released CD (produced by Bruce Fitzhugh of Living Sacrifice) and a knack for writing killer songs. I saw them play with Living Sacrifice and Embodyment in Tucson, Arizona, and was impressed enough to buy their CD right after their set. You can read the review of that show here. What a great live…Similar sounding releases
2001Brain:FAQBrainstorming
2005UnearthOur Days of Eulogy
1999ZaoLiberate Te Ex Inferis
2004ComityThe Deus Ex-Machina As a Forgotten Genius (Andy Warhol Sucks)
2002EmbracedAn Orchestrated Failure
2002Anah AeviaRealize You're Dead
