Jesus On Extasy – Between Despair And Disbelief (Digital/Vinyl Album – Metropolis Records)
It has been twenty years since Chai Deveraux founded Jesus On Extasy. Four albums followed in quick succession, yet the band’s last full-length release dates back to 2011. This new album therefore feels like a resurrection, heralded by a single released in early 2023.
Jesus On Extasy has lost none of its defining influences or sonic identity. The project still occupies a space between Gothic, Industrial, and Electro, with a strong sense of balance between wailing guitars and electronic arrangements. One of the band’s enduring strengths lies in its melodic focus, which comes to the fore in the choruses, where emotional hooks erupt with force and linger long after the songs end. The compositions often build gradually, making these moments feel even more impactful.
The same dynamic applies to the vocals: restrained and haunting in the verses, then bursting into powerful, chant-like choruses. A few tracks lean toward a more furious, overly hard-edged approach, which may divide listeners, but overall the album delivers exactly what longtime fans have been waiting for. (Rating:8).
Listen to “Soul Crusher”:
https://jesusonextasy.bandcamp.com/track/soul-crusher
I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
