Eso-Charis are a hardcore outfit from Arkansas consisting of Living Sacrifice members Arthur Green (Bass) and Matthew Putman (Drums), along with Cory Putman (Vocals/Guitar) and Jason Holmes (Guitar). The band have been releasing low key efforts since '96 but this album recorded by Barry Poynter (Zao, Living Sacrifice, NIV) and produced by Living Sacrifice's Bruce Fitzhugh, is their first major release on the label they have such close ties with.

The group has an undeniable relationship to that of Living Sacrifice and despite drummer Matthew Putman saying "The sound of Eso-Charis and Living Sacrifice are worlds apart to me", the differences are not as far reaching as such comments would suggest. Sure it doesn't have the in your face, balls out immediacy of the aforementioned band and is certainly more hardcore than the metalcore sounds we might well expect, yet they both share the same anger and intense throaty screaming. In the case of Eso-Charis we have a more dynamic approach, musically ranging from thick bass and pounding riffs that rival anything in terms of the heaviness of their past work all the way to more light melodic respites and interludes, plus the introduction of singing and brief spoken passages. One thing that's apparent throughout though is the bands tendency to preach their Christian beliefs to the point of it becoming almost overwhelming to the more passive listener. If praise and worship lyrics are your thing then you won't need a second thought on whether this is right for you but even if it isn't, it can still be overlooked and be an enjoyable listen.

Fans of the Solid State roster should greatly appreciate this album as Eso-Charis fit snugly alongside Embodyment, Training For Utopia and Living Sacrifice. Even with the band seemingly being keen to distance themselves from their other ventures, their initial influences are present and very much loud and clear, albeit this time around in a more melodic and honest form that leans towards emo stylings.