Search - Coalesce :: 012:2 (reissue)

An outstanding achievement in the field of excellence

Wheelchair Assassin | The Great Concavity | 12/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of late, Relapse records has practically provided one-stop shopping for my heavy-music needs, and these guys are one reason why. I buy a lot of albums, and "Revolution In Just Listening" is doubtless one of the best heavy recordings I've had the privilege of hearing lately, be it metal, hardcore, or otherwise (I'd call this noisecore myself). Coalesce's sound isn't quite as maniacal as that of such labelmates as Soilent Green and the Dillinger Escape Plan, but they more than make up for it with some of the tighest grooves and heaviest riffs around. The songs on "RJIL" are short, sharp and to the point, but they manage to squeeze a lot of inventiveness and musical bludgeoning into a three-minute period. The anger and intensity in Sean Ingram's throaty growls is the perfect complement to the mathematical intricacy of the band behind him, which unleashes the kind of unrelenting onslaught that the noisecore genre is known for. Although all the musicians are clearly skilled, special mention must go to drummer James Dewees, whose beats are so complex you practically have to send away to NASA to figure them out. Definitely a must-have album for discriminating metal nuts."

MOr3 adDicTIVe THAn CRaCK!!

Grafs | United States | 02/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like metalcore/hardcore then it is totally unnacceptable for you not to own this album. These guys rock so fxxxing hard that I don't even care that this cd clocks in at a brief, yet pleasurably brutal, 23 minutes. I think Coalesce could easily be put into the same musical category as Relapse labelmates Burnt By The Sun, Dillenger Escape Plan, Soilent Green, and Mastadon (Candiria too, even though they aren't on Relapse). Although there are similarities between Coalesce and the aforementioned bands Coalesce has effectively created their own sound that definitely would not be mistaken for anyone else. When you put this cd in your headphones you best be ready for a serious ride! Coalesce display incredible cohesiveness as their manic tempo and signature changes seem to pull at you from every direction. Sean Ingram's vocalizations, by the way, are ferocious! Unfortunately, Coalesce disbanded following the release of this album, so this is the last new material that we're going to get from these guys. My top three tracks: 1) Burn Everything That Bears Our Name, 2) What Happens On The Road Always Comes Home, 3) cowards.com...yes, I realize those are the first three songs on the cd, but I really do think they are the best--all the others, except the ambient "They Always Come in Fall", are very good too! You should buy this cd...the money should already be burning a hole in your pocket like this cd will burn a hole in your head!"