Is it possible to become slave to the rhythm? If you start listening to Polymath you’ll become addicted to their music and if you listen to them again and again you’ll probably become slave to them. This is what it’s happening to me, so, just be careful!
For those of you that still don’t know who they are, Polymath is one of the new instrumental math bands that is trembling in Brighton, UK, since 2012. Tim Walters, Chris Woollison and Joe Branton define themselves “all glitchy, off-kilter guitars and shifting time signatures”. It sounds interesting and it’s very true. If you had the occasion to listen to their previous works, Tetragon or Vertex, you already know that these three talented musicians are not afraid to push the envelope in order to create futuristic sounds, tempo changes and intricate musical pieces.
For 2014 they have planned to release a series of ‘mini EP’ and the first stage is the fusion of two songs: 'Roku' and 'Demipenteract'. What’s the outcome? An EP that is composed by one continuous track titled La Union De Roku & Demipenteract. It’s quite logic and linear, yes, until you press play and the vertigo of sound will surround you like a spiral where nothing is linear and everything is beautiful.
In a running time of approximately 14 minutes, Polymath experiments almost everything. Crunchy guitars and thumping drums are always at the center of the stage and the only pause is where ‘Roku’ flows into 'Demipenterac’. The effect is so amazing that I think it will make musicians stand open-mouthed in a state of pure admiration, wondering just how such music is written. Both sides of the track are plenty of insane rhythm changes and melodies that fill the ears in a barrage of panicked sound.
One of the things that will catch immediately your attention is the notable instrumentation that create a beautifully dense and clean sound which is much greater than the sum of its parts. And the interplay between the guitar riffs and the drum beats is incredible. I’m not able to say which is my favorite part of this track – even if the sonic vertigo at about the third minute really intrigues me - because it’s amazing as a whole and the best way to experience it is to put it at high volume. Do it and La Union De Roku & Demipenteract will keep you on the move.
Math rock is back and, drop by drop, Polymath is going to feed our need of it.
