Ensemble 1 are Brighton-based duo who state that they combine elements of prog-metal, experimental rock, electronic/dance, math-rock and minimalist composition, with key influences including Steve Reich, King Crimson, Philip Glass, Don Caballero, and Underworld. I try and give everything that comes into the Joyzine inbox a fair listen, always hoping that something will stop my mouse pointer from hovering over the close button. ‘Virtual Septet’ has me transfixed for its full 9 minutes and 42 seconds.
It’s the sound of a thousand horses galloping at full tilt; a prog-rock-tumbler polishing jagged granite into musical pearls and though you would expect this soundtrack to Valhalla was produced by a 30-piece chaos-orchestra there are only two people: Tom Way on drums and Joe Potts on guitar. Yes, there are effects to enhance the sound but it’s dazzling to watch the fleetness of the playing and the telepathic syncopation of two players in lockstep. These human arpeggiators manage to breathe analogue warmth into machine precision and I also listened to the 3-track EP Delay Works and picked out ‘Drums & Delay Loops’ to include in this review (see below).
Video filmed at Under The Bridge Studios, Brighton by Elaine Wolvey. Edited by Tom Way.
Ensemble 1 socials: Linktree | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | YouTube
Review by Paul F Cook
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