Entheos (USA)
Time Will Take Us All


4.1
excellent

Review

by Robert Garland STAFF
March 5th, 2023 | 55 replies


Release Date: 03/03/2023 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Are we there yet?

To see where we are now, we have to admit that Dark Future was pretty much all over the place. That sounds rough right, especially considering the dynamic and varied soundscapes that American-based Entheos were plastering all over their progressively deathly, occasionally jazzy canvas. Dark Future became a turning point for the now two piece, tentatively culling away all but vocal mastermind, Chaney Crabb and drummer turned majority songwriter, Navene Koperweis—Entheos would refine their sound into a digestible tech-death that’s thankfully less reliant on electronica or synthscapes while incorporating bigger atmospheric swings. The result? Time Will Take Us All. Circling back to the line-up, um…change—it’s still worth mentioning that this two-piece still manages to contain Entheos’...ex bassist, Evan Brewer because “Evan’s bass playing is a big part of what makes Entheos sound like Entheos, and it was important to us to have him on the record.” Not sure why the guy is on the outer, but we’re not here to discuss revolving doors. Instead, we’ll discuss just why Time Will Take Us All is the band’s betterest album to date.

That’s mostly because Time Will Take Us All is deep, with context and relatability. When writing lyrics, vocalist Chaney Crabb dove deep into her own psyche of the last few years. Having suffered through a scooter accident in which she herself had to go through extensive stitching and a three month break from all vocals (which makes sense considering the embed of gravel, severed chin, split nasal septum, bent nose…), Crabb found herself mentally conflicted; happy to be around friends and family, thankful for the support and yet, torn and depressed with the idea of possibly not singing (or screaming) ever again. This journey, and the road to recovery would symbolise the beginnings of new lyrics and later transform into “Absolute Zero”, “In Purgatory”, “Oblivion” and later, the title track. With this in mind, the album’s trajectory became more understandable, personable and less sci-fi. That’s something the band’s fans can get behind.

“Absolute Zero” itself opens the new record with a romp. Fierce growls punch through the opening moments while lurching riffs bury themselves quickly underneath. Crabb’s mid-ranged low growls contrast with almost blackened shrieks. An obvious dichotomy of differing styles, all heavy. Melodic licks pop up and around a cement mixer of riffs while Brewer’s bass rolls clearly through the mix. “In Purgatory” follows in a similar, seamless vein, at times taking on an Archspire-lite approach. Crabb spits out growls with vehemence, rapid-fire and downright unapologetic. Entheos take a stereotype of typical, almost generic death metal and add subtle nuance to it. That genericism forgotten, Time Will Take Us All well on the way to becoming unforgettable. The music is undeniably heavy, brimming with technicality at every turning point. Koperweis’ main calling might be behind the kit, but in writing the rest of the record’s instrumental efforts it’s worth asking the guy if he’s a wizard. There’s a sense of melody here and whether it’s snaking under a multitude of wholesome riffs, a fiery solo or even Crabb’s occasional use of sung, clean vocals—each component has its place in building the new record’s atmosphere. The more ominous climes that introduce “Oblivion” and the coinciding sprawling bass lines contain a sense of contrast with the rest of the record’s more tumultuous pace. The tempo also winds back, more akin with a brooding plod of a death doom track. Crabb’s deeper growls almost shout before turning filthy but it’s the guitar solo and the warble of feedback that closes the song as the eeriest note possible. Atmosphere building brilliantly for the album’s latter half.

Despite Time Will Take Us All being so chock full of highlights, especially within the frame of its opening few tracks, “The Sinking Sun” (a personal favourite) and the closing, title track really shines here. In regard to the former of those two, “The Sinking Sun” riffs itself into existence. There’s not a lot going on here that would tip the scale beyond the climes to which the rest of the record has offered thus far; however, the track’s middle section just breaks things down until they hit just right. Crabb’s deep growls envelope the song's riff bombardment, accenting each section until a headbanging groove takes over. Koperweis, it seems, knows his way around the band’s string sections. The snare absolutely, delightfully booms while little cymbal fills gracefully dance above it. The light trilling ting of the ride is particularly wholesome. Crabb’s snarl evenly brings it all together, further contrasting her vocal power and awareness, sometimes letting the music be exactly that. However, it’s the closing melody here that shows just how cohesive Entheos’ songwriting has become—a progressive call to the ethereal closer. Crabb’s cleans are well-placed here more than anywhere else. Mellifluous melodies battle once again with the more obvious death metal influences, while Brewer’s bass lines continue to swell with the rising atmosphere. The title track gives us one more big swell before disappearing into the void.

Time Will Take Us All is an interesting take on streamlining ideas until they matter without losing a core explorative identity. It’s not as ‘out there’ as the group’s (now duo?) previous efforts and can be received all the better for it. Entheos have come a long way since their debut, The Infinite Nothing. Despite the growth from record to record, it could be said that this newfound sound direction isn’t enough of a shift to convert the naysayers. The band’s foundation of style is still a cornerstone of what they offer circa 2023. Moving forward I guess it’s less of a matter where time will take us all. I’m more interested in hearing how we’ll get there.




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user ratings (82)
3.6
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
March 5th 2023


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 4.1

Get some here:



https://entheosofficial.bandcamp.com/album/time-will-take-us-all

Purpl3Spartan
March 5th 2023


8992 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Initial impression for me is that this owns



Great prose like always fam

Digging: Tenue - Arcos, b??vedas, p??rticos

NexCeleris
March 5th 2023


648 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This is everything I was hoping it would be. Same goes for the review. Hard agree on The Sinking Sun being the standout.



I'm just a sucker for Navene's songwriting and tone - both on guitars and drums.

Digging: Gigan - Anomalous Abstractigate Infinitessimus

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
March 5th 2023


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 4.1

Thanks for your patronage guys.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
March 5th 2023


32179 Comments


Great review as always chef. From your descriptions I might like better their early stuff. I skimmed this and while it sounds good it felt a bit too much out of my comfort zone.

Digging: Kelly Lee Owens - Dreamstate

metalphil
March 6th 2023


909 Comments


Gotta be honest this was a big disappointment for me on my initial listen. I like their first 3 releases a lot but something about a lot of the guitar work on this one isn't clicking with me at all. Have very little motivation to give it another spin.

Nomos2
March 6th 2023


1992 Comments


Going to have to let this one simmer before I know my thoughts on it. It *sounds* excellent and sounds like an evolved Entheos (omg the bass tones...actually everyone sounds stellar on it), but I wasn't immediately grabbed by anything outside of Absolute Zero and The Sinking Sun and maybe one other, after 2 listens. But I was distracted, maybe I need to give it a more fair shot.

I guess Evan is probably busy enough and just wanted to write for this album and be done with it rather than be beholden to press + touring afterwards.


But yeah I saw these guys a few months back in Edmonton and they really surprised me. I was a casual fan from Dark Future and was pleased to see a band whose name I recognized live, especially after their episode on Courtney LePlant's short-lived podcast, but as soon as they started playing Black Static I was in permanent stankface and in heaven. Really nice down to earth artists.

Edit: you guys it's 2005 again and I got excited at this being post 1337 on this account.

MarsKid
Emeritus
March 6th 2023


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

1337 days never fade



Good to see more quality Rob writing grace the front page. Had no idea the vocalist had such a close brush with death and such a long road to recovery. Major respect to fighting through that.



On paper, I feel like I should enjoy this, but in practice, this band always leaves me wanting more.

trilo
March 6th 2023


6613 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

was pretty lukewarm on this on first listen but some cool moments here and there. need another listen or two to see if it clicks more

Digging: Chat Pile - Cool World

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
March 7th 2023


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 4.1

That’s how I described the new Ne Obliviscaris. There’s going to be some knee-jerk mid range scores until people actually take the time to sink their teeth in. It’s definitely not something I’d call immediate.

MarsKid
Emeritus
March 7th 2023


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I might give it another go on a rainy day, but initial reaction definitely had me puzzled. I wouldn't say it was necessarily knee-jerk though, I gave it its due time.

metalphil
March 7th 2023


909 Comments


I gave this another try today and it did click a little more this time. There are some cool moments but honestly I think their peak sound was The Infinite Nothing.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
March 7th 2023


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 4.1

A slower take up to this record than I was anticipating.

Dmax28
March 7th 2023


1334 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thought this was pretty freakin sick

WalrusTusk
March 7th 2023


1845 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

"The Interior Wilderness" is probably my favorite on this one. Don't know where I fall on it overall, but there are some really cool vocal moments sprinkled throughout. Instrumentation is to be expected from Brewer and Navene.



The previously mentioned song and "Oblivion" are definite highlights.

NexCeleris
March 7th 2023


648 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

After five days of back-to-back listening, I can't help but bump this up. Nothing feels like filler to me, which has become such a rare thing for contemporary metal albums.



Despite the obvious differences, the atmosphere and energy on this remind me a lot of The Ocean's Precambrian. While their previous stuff always felt like it was geared toward the thinking man's moshpit, this is more of a "sit back with a glass of Lagavulin and a cigar while staring at the fall foliage outside your window" type of release.





Dmax28
March 7th 2023


1334 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Well described, I agree. And that evolution is why this is a refreshing release from them.

ShadowOfTheCitadel
March 8th 2023


472 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I always thought these dudes were just pretty decent. Not bad at all, sometimes really cool - but mostly "not my thing". This album fucking rocks. Hard. The musicality is off the charts here, and the acoustic/clean sections flow so smoothly. Also, Evan's bass playing is some S-Tier shit on here.

Nomos2
March 8th 2023


1992 Comments


Yeah okay this is pretty good. It didn't click much on my first few listening attempts, but last night after the Born of Osiris show I popped this on while driving home in the dark and suddenly it sounded a lot more up my alley and I was hearing a lot of character in it.

metalphil
March 9th 2023


909 Comments


Actually the same thing happened with me. Didn't click at all on the first listen but it's growing on me a good amount now.



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