Intronaut

Los Angeles, CA-based progressive metal scientists Intronaut are known for their complex songwriting, heavy jazz influence and eclectic tones often filtered through the smoky light of stoner rock and psychedelia. Their wordiest release to date, fourth full-length Habitual Levitations (Instilling Words With Tones) is also their chilliest, in terms of tone and intensity while also featuring some of their most intricate arrangements. There are almost no harsh vocals on the record; instead, Sacha Dunable and Dave Timnick demonstrate their range and tone with soaring cleans and vocal harmonies. Danny Walker's aggressive, transcendent drumming remains a highlight and the anchor of their sound; it's as powerful, precise and complicated in rhythm and polyrhythm as the nimblest guitar work or bassist Joe Lester's insistent, throbbing eloquence. While the songwriting remains as taut and intellectual as ever, there's something a bit looser in the execution — or, more accurately, the emotional tone with which it is executed. There is an earnestness to Habitual Levitations that has been absent on their past recordings, sacrificed in pursuit of the cerebral, which has always been present in their live shows and has finally made it onto record.