CONCEPTS OF MATH: BOOK ONE

Way back in 1989 I remember buying Watchtower's second album Control And Resistance. This was early days for prog metal, especially as technical as Watchtower were. There was already Fates Warning and Queensrhyche and these guys were no slouches, but nowhere near as technical as Watchtower. Even Dream Theater were just getting started. However, despite the undisputed virtuosity on display I was left somewhat cold finding it being a case of style over substance with little in the way of memorable songs.

Fast forward to 2016 and they're back with the same line-up as Control And Resistance. Concepts Of Math: Book One is their first substantial body of work since then. It's a five track E.P. clocking in at just under half an hour. Four of the five tracks were originally released as digital only singles, the first back in 2010. They recorded the final track Mathematica Calculis especially for inclusion here.

I'm pleased to say I like this a lot better than their earlier work. The reason being that whilst their incredible chops are still intact, in fact better, their song writing skills have also greatly improved. The music is still incredibly complicated with jazz colliding with metal but flows so much better to my ears with some jaw dropping musical interplay, compelling riffs and injected with a substantial dose of melody. Age has also tempered Alan Tecchio's histrionic vocals which are much improved these days and to my ears his singing flows much better over the complex song structures than before. Fortunately all five tracks are excellent and the short length definitely left me wanting more so hopefully a full length album will be in the offing soon.

These days there's there's no shortage of bands making music this complex in the metal world, but Watchtower played an important role in the development of technical prog metal and were very influential. Perhaps now they may be able to reap some of the rewards from their earlier groundwork and gain a wider following. On the strength of this excellent release that seems a strong possibility.

"Concepts of Math: Book One" is an EP release by US, Texas based technical/progressive metal act Watchtower. The EP was released through Prosthetic Records in October 2016. Watchtower was formed in 1982 and released the two groundbreaking albums "Energetic Disassembly (1985)" and "Control and Resistance (1989)" before disbanding in 1990. They reunited in 1999 (first with original vocalist Jason McMaster and from 2009 onwards with "Control and Resistance (1989)" vocalist Alan Tecchio) and there have been rumors of them working on new material ever since. In 2010 they released the one track single "The Size of Matter" and in 2015 the three one track singles "Arguments Against Design", "M-Theory Overture", and "Technology Inaction" followed. "Concepts of Math: Book One" features all four single tracks plus the track "Mathematica Calculis", which is exclusive to this EP release.

Stylistically Watchtower more or less continue where they left off in the late 80s/early 90s. The music is fusion influenced technical/progressive metal in the more raw and occasionally thrashy end of the scale. Lead vocalist Alan Tecchio is still a force to be reckoned with. Although he doesn´t sing as many extremely high pitched notes as he did on "Control and Resistance (1989)", he is still an incredibly powerful singer, with a distinct sounding voice, and he can still hit the high notes when that is called for. The musicianship is generally out of this world and there are several jaw-dropping moments on the EP. Intricate technical drumming and bass playing, and Ron Jarzombek´s almost avant garde guitar playing will keep you on your toes throughout the playing time of the EP.

It´s no surprise this is music which requires a few spins to sink in. The song structures are complex, and it takes a while before hooks begin to appear, but if you´re familiar with the band´s back catalogue you wouldn´t expect it any other way. Despite the 5 tracks on the 28:55 minutes long EP being recorded at different recording sessions, there is a great overall flow on the release and the sound production is similar on all tracks too, which results in a nicely consistent listening experience. Regarding the sound production it´s powerful, clear, and detailed, which suits the material perfectly.

So upon conclusion "Concepts of Math: Book One" may not be the full-length fans of the band have been waiting for in years, but it´s pretty close and with a playing time nearly 30 minutes long, you do get quite a bit of quantity for the money. Add great quality to that equation and we have a strong comeback release on our hands. Watchtower was once one of the most adventurous acts on the metal scene, and while most listeners today probably aren´t as surprised by their incredible playing skills and intricate compositions, as audiences were in the 80s (a lot of development in the technical/progressive part of the genre has happened since those days), they still deliver very intriguing and powerful technical/progressive metal and they are still among the kings of the genre. A 4.5 star (90%) rating is deserved.

The Concepts of Watchtower

Concepts of Math: Book One was released in 2016. It marked the band's return after a long period of inactivity, following their previous album, Control and Resistance, in 1989. This EP is significant because Watchtower is known for pioneering the prog-metal genre with their complex, technical music.

The EP contains five tracks, and its style fits what Watchtower is known for: intricate time signatures, technical riffing, and complex song structures. The lineup features the core members from their earlier works: vocalist Alan Tecchio, bassist Doug Keyser, guitarist Ron Jarzombek, and drummer Rick Colaluca. Colaluca is the only remaining member from their impressive debut, Energetic Disassembly, from 1985.

Concepts of Math: Book One shows the band's ability to blend math rock with thrash metal elements, creating a sound that is dense, challenging, and intense. The EP highlights Jarzombek's highly technical guitar work, which has always been a strong point for the band. Tecchio's vocals are sharp and fit well with the music's demanding structure.

1. M-Theory Overture: This track sets the tone for the EP with its complex arrangement and intricate riffs. The title refers to a scientific theory in physics that attempts to unify different string theories.

2. Arguments Against Design: This song introduces Alan Tecchio's powerful vocals. It combines thrash metal intensity with progressive complexity, making it both aggressive and intricate. Tecchio's high-pitched, dynamic delivery fits perfectly with the frenetic energy of the song.

3. Technology Inaction: One of the standout tracks, Technology Inaction is a fast, precise piece where each instrument plays a key role in building a dense and tight structure. Doug Keyser's bass work shines here, bringing in a more jazz-like approach, especially during the breakdowns.

4. The Size of Matter: This track continues the band's exploration of technical complexity but also includes more atmospheric elements. The guitar work is less frantic and more spaced out, creating moments of tension before returning to more technical riffs.

5. Mathematica Calculis: Closing the EP, Mathematica Calculis is perhaps the most direct and focused track, maintaining a balance between the band's progressive and thrash metal roots. Jarzombek's guitar playing is, as always, technically impressive, but this time there's a slightly more straightforward thrash feel compared to earlier tracks.

The EP is a challenging but rewarding listen. Each track dives deep into technicality, making it perfect for fans who enjoy dissecting music for its complexity. I hope for a new full-length album from Watchtower, but after almost 10 years, I'm still waiting. I don't know if the band will continue or not, but since the last wait was 27 years, I might have to wait that long again?.