E.S.A. - That Beast

There is no doubt in my mind that E.S.A. has been well esablished within the industrial scene with his bombastic, destructive rhythmic noise and stomping electronic noise. While he slowly built a profile from his starting album "Devotion, Discipline, and Denial", Jamie Blacker's peak performance came with his concept album trilogy "Themes of Carnal Empowerment". One after the other between 2012 and 2015, "Lust", "Deceit", and "Penance" destroyed dancefloors and shattered what preconceived thoughts of what E.S.A. was and was not capable of. 

Come three years later and we're given "That Beast" which is arguably Blacker's finest work to date. A wholesome, crushing album full of blasting noise, anger, and animal mentality that will slam an adrenaline shot of bestial horror through your core. While a lot of E.S.A.'s core roots are on full display here from his addictive and thumping techno inspired rhythms in songs such as 'Look Down Below' to the more noisy, industrial mechanized machines such as 'Like Meat (Spoiled)', there has been such a concentrated effort on "That Beast" to bring Blacker's production game to a career-topping level. 

It also goes to mention that this is an album worth buying just based on the quantity to quality level. There are songs on "That Beast" that easily go on for seven minutes - the longest of them all extending for eight minutes. Most producers struggle to get a three to five minute song sound fresh throughout its duration, but E.S.A. takes these dancefloor killers and gives it three or four intersecting segments. While the base of the structure is still noticeable, the rhythms and other oddities stuffed within these lengthy ballads keep them fresh throughout their entire duration.

Fellow tribal expert Scott Fox (of iVardensphere, of which Blacker is also a member) made a guest appearance on track three 'Carry The Noose'. An extra smattering of bass elements formed one of the most thumping and memorable songs on "That Beast". But track three is also made special due to the inclusion of J. Hysteria (of Massenhysterie) on vocals. While Blacker also has engaging vocal sessions on the song, J. Hysteria native German tongue and the attitude that she brings with it forged an unthinkable alliance with E.S.A.. A powerful song featuring powerful people - one could say that this is a Rhythmic Noise version of a Holy Trinity. 

I have had nothing but positive things to say about "That Beast" and will continue forth in praising this album to everyone I meet. E.S.A. has developed again into a monstrous barbarian of electronic chaos and "That Beast" took its sonic form to heart. The album is currently available from Negative Gain Productions. Go get it. 


May 06 2018