Album Art for ‘Cronus Complex‘ by The Motion Below
Artist: The Motion Below
Genre: Post-Hardcore
Reviewed Music: ‘Cronus Complex‘ (EP, 2019)
Release Date: August 30th, 2019
Track list: (5 Tracks, 19 minutes)
“State of Decay”
“Figureheads”
“January 16th”
“Cronus Complex”
“Futile”
‘Cronus Complex‘ by The Motion Below – Review by Nic Beardsley of Dear Untitled:
Nestled within arguably the most esteemed metalcore scene in the world, The Motion Below constantly battles for any and all recognition in an absolutely saturated Australian theatre, where metalcore acts like themselves come a dime a dozen. Drawing influence and inspiration while clawing tooth and nail on their journey to reach the ultimate pinnacle of achievement akin to Aussie legends such as Northlane, Polaris, and Parkway Drive, The Motion Below has simultaneously tackled their own internal struggle on an exploration to identify their true sound. Needless to say, this undertaking has led to a quite versatile output and end result which reveals itself by way of their latest EP, ‘Cronus Complex‘.
Unleashing a peppy, ‘Erra‘-esque guitar underlay, the opening movement, “State Of Decay“, allows Thomas Katgert‘s harsh, yet beautiful, post-hardcore vocals to command the forefront of the piece over a suppressed backing melody. Progressing in turn, a segment of Issues-inspired “bouncy” vocals by Ryan Matheson trade off with Katgert in a delicate balance, waiting patiently to drive the lyrical content home. Much like their prior EP, the coarse vocals by Katgert haven’t strayed much aside from the band’s original style, however the compositional integrity and quality of production both have taken leaps and bounds under the mentorship of their recent producers.
Moving forward, “Figureheads” immediately entangles us in a Born of Osiris / Bad Omens sonic vigor, breaking suddenly into the crisp vocals we’ve come to adore as a designated momentary reprieve from the natural intensity developed by The Motion Below. The pursuit of this delicate balance, woven within the heavy heartbeat of this act, speaks once more to the talent and quality with which they present within the bulk of their work – the music video being no exception!
(Note: If something about the production comes across as somewhat recognizable, it could be due to the unique fact that the same person, Colin Jeffs, who shot this video also shot footage for one of our prior guest artists: ‘The Gloom in the Corner‘ – yet another quite successful Australian act! (Crazy how small this world can be sometimes!) )
Again, The Motion Below tackle another stylistic change for the fulcrum moment of “January 16th“- happening upon a very atmospheric, post-hardcore sound, (a la ‘Secrets‘ and their date titled track “3.17.16“). Anytime in the metal/metalcore genre when a date is in the track title, typically you’re in for a guaranteed, emotional ride. Tied to a personal connection and experience from the band’s life, the vocal layers and gradual crescendo within the track project the somber tone, framing a masterpiece as things begin to fall in line for this thriving act!
The album namesake: “Cronus Complex” takes a contrasting turn in comparison to the softer paced “January 16th“. Honestly, it was only a matter of time before this level of energy obliterated our perception of what we thought The Motion Below was, or could be. The rigorous and driven beat, meshed with the placement of unrelenting vocals once again from Katgert define what finally appears to be ‘the ultimate form’ of the band. Dying into a quiet, acoustic driven ending, “Futile” rises out of the chaos, as the heatfelt finale finds us crying out the torn lines at the top of our lungs, as nothingness consumes us and the music fades away, leaving us feeling as though a life has been snuffed like a candle’s flame.
“…Decimated and frayed,
I’ll try to hide
All the pain
I cannot live like this..”
– Excerpt from “Futile”
Exquisitely channeling the raw tone of a hybrid Letlive. and Being As an Ocean , sound – do these culminating tracks do justice to the final sound which The Motion Below have settled on? It sure seems as such, but even if it is not, we know for a fact that we DEFINITELY want so much more of what this EP has given us.
Logic would stand to reason that there exist highly opinionated stances as to whether to having 5 songs on a single EP all individually sound like this was a “feature compilation ” of different artists’ unique styles, but for a few reasons, I stand wholeheartedly on the album premise: Seeking their own sound. 1) Having multiple styles is one thing, but commanding a large range of tactful skill sets in such a manner that makes the 20 minutes feel like a cohesive EP arrangement? That just screams natural ability and talent. 2) At face value, ‘Cronus Complex‘ is a rising act’s learning and development process, or rather, an attempt to reveal their unique sound and tone through experience and practice. That aspec needs to occur sooner rather than later in the maturation of any artist’s career, and could happen anywhere, so why not capitalize on this period of vulnerability and watch how it plays out? 3) If this EP was bumpy and/or felt choppy at all, it would stand to reason that these listed points would be our primary bones to pick and basis for the discussion, but instead The Motion Below develops a one of a kind language and dichotomy all of their own by the culmination, so we digress…
Although ‘Cronus Complex‘ at first blush may appear as a peculiar blend of standalone, stylistic tracks, The Motion Below ‘s dynamic talent captures listener’s hearts and minds, while showcasing an unbridled ambition which will ultimately guide them closer towards the success which they crave, and rightfully deserve. – Nic Beardsley
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