ExxoStack - Ostinatopia
ExxoStack is a concept project that was created by Jonathan Gabriel Jr. in 2016. Throughout the project’s existence, Exxostack’s sound has evolved into a Progressive Metal sound, though the overall sound still features a variety of other influences and contains elements of Rock, Progressive Rock and New Age. Today we are excited to share our thoughts on ExxoStack’s debut instrumental EP, Ostinatopia, which was released on August 13, 2021!
Ostinatopia kicks off with the song “Lore”, which immediately draws your attention with its infectiously melodic piano work, with additional instruments building throughout the rest of the track. To me, “Lore” has a perfect title as the track feels like the soundtrack to the telling of an epic tale full of adventure and heroism; it is the kind of song I could imagine as score in an adventure film or video game. “Mosaic” follows and it is yet another aptly titled track; with this one, it feels as if many different thoughts and feelings are interwoven into one coherent and expressive musical piece. To me, this song also felt like a continuation of the adventure-filled vibes of “Lore”, but in a more subdued way - if “Lore” is a hero recounting his epic tale then “Mosaic” is the hero quietly remembering and reflecting on it all.
“Intelligent Design” is the third track from Ostinatopia and it is another track that immediately draws you in with piano; this time, the keys sound much more frantic and energized, a kind of snappy and quick-hitting energy that stays prevalent throughout the track. To me, this song sounds like it could be the instrumental version of a hard rock track you would hear on the radio, though its melodic sensibility is more than strong enough to hold its own as a pure instrumental. “Winds” is up next and it is the longest track on the EP at four minutes and fifty-three seconds. This track felt the most mellow in many ways and I could just imagine myself laying out in a field, looking up in the sky and watching clouds scurry by on a windy day. I really felt refreshed after listening to “Winds”. “Nostalgia”, which is a reimagining of the track originally by Yanni, closes out Ostinatopia and truly captures some nostalgic vibes. It also serves as the perfect track to end the EP, feeling like it is the end of a story in both its overall tone and sound.
Something I always enjoy about good Progressive Rock is its ability to draw you in with a certain hook at the beginning of the track that then builds into something greater later in the track; Exxostack executes on this idea perfectly throughout Ostinatopia and I think this EP offers a quintessential Progressive Rock experience - you won’t want to miss it! This truly is heavy Progressive Rock at its best and I enjoyed every second and every motif presented on this EP immensely.
You can check out ExxoStack on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. You can find Ostinatopia on YouTube Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon Music and Spotify - which we have embedded below!
