Tera Melos

Don't let Tera Melos fool you with its textbook cover. For this California three-piece, "math rock" means much more of an affinity for chaos theory than for the staid and stoic world of algebraic expressions. In fact to the uninitiated, the term might call to mind things like precision, restraint, and formula. While accurate in a sense, these words find a whole new meaning when fed through a dizzying array of perception-warping time signatures, effects pedals, and sideways harmonic sensibilities.

Jarring rhythmic transitions, caterwauling anti-melodic shenanigans, and a total disregard for the listener's ability to keep pace are all integral variables in the Tera Melos equation. At times it almost seems as if bassist Nathan Latona and drummer Vince Rogers' primary goal is sonic vertigo. Just when you think you know where they're going, they turn about face and head in the other direction. One minute, guitarist Nick Reinhart is tapping his way through graceful and tuneful arpeggios; moments later, he's sending his axe shrieking against the grain he'd so carefully exposed. Like a bunch of kids playing dominos, they set you up only to knock you down. And you're glad to be treated so roughly.