It’s most of the time when I sit down to listen to instrumental rock in many of its forms, it comes in some varying forms of psychedelia. But, obviously, there’s so much more to explore in instrumental rock than that flavor no matter how delicious it can be time after time. Post-rock, in particular, can lend itself extremely well to the instrumental treatment, and Prime Alone is just one name out of thousands that take that idea to stupendous effect. On their new album, Prime Alone not only furthers that logic but improves upon their sound in a way that cannot be considered any less than massive.

As the first full-length from Prime Alone in three years, this was the best opportunity for Prime Alone to really show us how much the act has grown in such a time with some EPs to consider in that time as well. Granted, the sound that Prime Alone brings forth with “The Essence Lies In The Depth” could’ve been damn well close to what was done on the preceding full-length and the quality still be very tasty, but that would be almost too easy. In the creation of this new effort, Prime Alone has done so much more than prove its own worth in the world of instrumental post-rock as it’s in these eight tracks that a spectacular performance tinged with flavors from its metal counterpart come together to form a listen that’s as comprehensive as it is impressive and satisfying. The “normal” rules of the style are virtually thrown out the window here as it’s throughout the entirety of “The Essence Lies In The Depth” folds in on itself as Prime Alone not only builds off the strengths that we had seen before from a massive dynamic range married seamlessly with soothing atmospheres and the occasional burst of a calculated metallic palette, but it’s taken a step further with this effort. All of those elements are still undoubtedly there, no question, but Prime Alone manages to double down on some while incorporating some new factors to make this album somehow even more eclectic with several peaks and valleys to not only grip the attention of the listener right from the very beginning, but keeping the listener guessing as to just what exactly is coming next and the enjoyment factor at a constant and consistently high. It’s all brought together almost too well to make “The Essence Lies In The Depth” a sprawling creation the likes of which we always need more of in the realms of all things instrumental, and if Prime Alone didn’t prove it enough with their previous effort it’s here that the raw talent and ingenuity behind the band is at full display with nary a flaw to be seen for miles around, and it just gets better and better.

A vastly engaging instrumental record of any style is always an accomplishment since, in my opinion, it needs to resonate with the listener much more than any other kind of music for without a guiding voice, it can be almost upsettingly easy for someone to simply stop listening. But, it’s with bands like Prime Alone that such worries are null as it’s within this brand new effort that every grand quality of the band comes together to become a beast to be reckoned with such that I cannot encourage fans of instrumental rock to investigate this work enough for its twist and turns are endlessly intriguing even in their smallest forms, and it’s within the depths described in the very title that this work becomes something so much more.

LISTEN to “The Essence Lies In The Depth” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Prime Alone on Facebook here.