Good Fight

Progressive Metal Gains Ground with Precision and Emotion in The Contortionist’s Clairvoyant

Progressive metal has acquired attention from the public due to its precise and technical songwriting. Whether you like the sludginess of Mastodon or the sporadic dynamics of Between the Buried and Me (BTBAM), prog always has a position in someone’s playlist.

In my opinion, one of the most consumable and laid-back prog bands out there is The Contortionist—especially their album Clairvoyant. It’s a smooth-sounding record, one that puts you to sleep with its melodic beauty and its precise technical synthwork. To understand the fullness of this album, we must break it down track by track.

“Monochrome (Passive)” — 4/5
The prelude and instrumental of the record establish a few pillars for this album and their overall change in style from earlier works like Exoplanet and Language (pre-Rediscovered sessions). Their take on songwriting leans toward atmospheric jazz—a style that relies on melody and the movement of music.

Whereas metalcore or even some prog bands use melody to create catchy songs, The Contortionist affects the auditory lobe. Think of it as massaging the prefrontal cortex. This instrumentation uses less of “music” and more of environmental noise, forming a composition that’s emotionally and physically immersive.

“Godspeed” — 4/5
Godspeed continues with the same principles but applies them with high energy. It truly feels like you’re moving at lightspeed through Andromeda. There’s movement of the soul, paired with riffs that echo dissonant tonalities from classic rock or even funk.

That dissonance, paired with beauty, feels like a dialed-out version of Deftones. I love this song—it feels like the zenith of the Rediscovered sessions, but fully fleshed out.

“Reimagined” — 5/5
By far one of the best tracks they’ve ever done. Reimagined creates out-of-body experiences by combining colossal rhythm and melody, making you feel like you’re floating on water.

It’s also one of the most accessible tracks for new listeners—but it’s so effective. It builds into a technical yet stagnating solo near the end, backed by rich, atmospheric synths.

“Clairvoyant” — 5/5
This track feels ripped from the Rediscovered sessions. Its stylistic softness is layered under aero-like melodies flying throughout, culminating in a powerful counterpoint at the end.

It’s super soothing. I get lost in it—the mix of jazz-esque guitars and intricate cymbal work elevates the entire album. It’s a perfect centerpiece for the self-titled track.

“The Center” — 3/5
Coming off a masterful top half, this track is the album’s minor blemish. Not bad—but compared to the hooks and otherworldly instrumentation of earlier tracks, this one just feels boring.

It maintains the album’s stylization but lacks standout elements. Still, I wouldn’t say it’s below average—just not as impactful.

“Absolve” — 4/5
We are back! We go full circle to the galaxy-spanning energy of Godspeed, but with more mellowed-out melodies. The contradiction between drums and bass versus the energetic guitars and synths creates a strange tension—but it works.

With the right amount of mixing between verses and sections, the song balances out beautifully.

“Relapse” — 3/5
I’ve always loved when bands combine two well-fleshed-out styles within a record—and aside from Reimagined, this is the only track that does that.

That makes it hard to compare or review. It’s smooth, and the mixing is nearly perfect. But it feels like a Rediscovered B-side. Not bad—there are plenty of hooks—but it’s just not as great as Reimagined.

“Return to Earth” — 5/5
This track brings back the emotional weight. The ballad-like imagery of Return, paired with elements from Godspeed, builds an idea of sorrow—but the beautiful kind.

Its lyrics and mystic musicality form a story—not of narrative, but of reflection. It’s powerful. I often debate whether this surpasses the other singles from the album.

“Monochrome (Pensive)” — 4/5
The second part to the prelude, Pensive fleshes out the instrumental concepts introduced in the beginning. It creates a more sorrowful atmosphere—nearly reaching the depth of Return.

The drumwork here stands out—constant, pocket-filled snare rhythms are incredibly catchy. It’s emblematic of The Contortionist’s genius.

Final Thoughts
Overall, the album is great. I’m excited to see what else The Contortionist does in the future. I honestly think it would be cool to see them blend more metalcore into their evolving style.