Album Review: Ensemble 1 - Guitar, Bass & Drums (2021)

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Picture Credit: Ensemble 1
Artwork: Marta Ptaszkiewicz


 Ensemble 1 - Guitar, Bass & Drums
Release Date: May 14, 2021
Label: selfrelease
Format: CD / Digital
Length: 47:16
Genre: Prog Metal / Math Rock
Origin: Brighton, England

"Guitar, Bass & Drums" is the debut album by England's Ensemble 1. The album was written and recorded between 2013 and 2016, and if you observe it from a facile perspective, the title tells us what we are about to hear on these 16 tracks. I prefer to dig deeper.
"Guitar, Bass & Drums" is divided in three sections: "Guitar, Bass & Drums I", Guitar, Bass & Drums II", and "GBD I Delay Loops". The Spotify version is furtherly subdivided giving us four parts in the first section, six in the second, and another six tracks in "GBD I Delay Loops". But do not worry, we need neither a compass or knowledge of advanced calculus to enjoy this instrumental release.

The first and second part are predominantly coined by experimental and avantgardist Rock and Metal. The three instruments enchant our hearing with intelligent interactions and demanding themes. While the music can mostly be categorized under Prog Metal or Math Rock, the arrangements are very jazzy. Like a Free Jazz trio, Ensemble 1 create intense soundscapes defined by sophisticated arcs of suspense. Drums, bass, and guitar each get their parts in which they dominate the sound while the remaining two elements accompany them. The transgressions between the leads are very fluent and yet the sounds are rough and heavy.
Finally, the "GBD I Delay Loops" shines out musically, and again, the section's title tells us a lot about the soundscapes. Like on a Reggae record the B-Side is reserved for the Dub parts, "GBD I Delay Loops" is the rather numb, but not a single bit less exciting version of "Guitar, Bass & Drums I".

Imagine, Alex Gallieni and Sicker Man teaming up with Shalosh, and you might receive a similar sonic experience like this album. "Guitar, Bass & Drums" contains 47 minutes of intelligent, exciting, versatile music that will not only please fans of Prog and Math.

Content from the MangoReviews will always stay in the MangoRotation playlist for 14 days

Ensemble 1 Online:
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