Review Summary: Question everything. Question everyone.
I googled what “aeonic” means and found out it’s a synonym for everlasting or endless. Feels like I’ve been waiting an aeonic amount of time for the progressive rock quartet to release their follow up to 2016’s A Night for the Troubled, but the wait is finally over. Now some of you are probably wondering: who in the blazes IS Aeonic Impulse? Don’t worry, friends, it’s not a big deal, but in due time you will be aware.
The album opens with an acapella section of our main character that appears to be at a crossroads. He or she is seeking some kind of guidance. Being burdened with a sense of newfound knowledge, the main character must leave their old life behind. It seems as if the fatigue of day-to-day life is taking a toll on the protagonist. “I hope you’re satisfied. Your wayward hero returns from the grave” screams bassist/vocalist Gasper Gray.
The ear candy for this prog-rock quartet relies on monstrous drums with a lot of syncopated tom beats and double bass patterns, sweep-picked guitar solos, and vocals that go from melodic to strained in a blink of an eye. There are some screams here that make me feel like I’m listening to one of the later Dillinger Escape Plan records. Not just that, but there are many tasteful bass-lines which is rather refreshing.
According to Jordan Salfity, lead guitarist and one of the founding members of Aeonic, the concept is one of a zeitgeist, telling the story of an individual losing their sanity due to the modern world. In ‘Concrete Ants’ it is evident that this individual is merely going through the motions. “The wheels keep on turning. Are you moving?” The melodies in the chorus are rather uplifting contrasting from the dark theme of the album.
Overall this album is a major step in the right direction for the L.A. based proggers. One gripe I had with their previous album, A Night for the Troubled, was a problem I have with many self-produced albums—they sound self-produced. But here, it is evident they took time with production. So if you’re on the hunt for a creative sonically pleasing record this one just might tickle your fancy.
