Pyrrhon - Exhaust

Pyrrhon is an extreme metal band from New York who formed in 2008. Their latest release “Exhaust,” is their fifth full-length album; they have also released two demos and three EPs.

There's insane and there is bat shit insane. Then on the other side of that, far off into a dimension of its own rests “Exhaust.”

I've heard the name Pyrrhon over the years but this album is my first exposure to their music.   From my limited research and understanding, this album is them at their most accessible. Really? It is? THIS album? I can't imagine.

But I can experience.  This particular experience is one made of death metal, noise, punk, core and dissonance. It's all these things yet more. I suppose at its heart the band has produced a death metal. 

It's more like a train collision set to moody extremity. There is a lot going on here and the album demands multiple listens. Every time I learned to this, I found something new that I didn't notice before.

But for all its constant changes, it still offers an unhinged atmosphere that feels on the verge of exploding.  But although it might nearing a finality, it's going to give all it has to offer for those will listen.

“Not Going To Mars,” is urgent and off balance within seconds. It has rhythm but it's in free fall. The inhuman vocals rip and tear the fabric of the song open, letting twisted and bent riffs through.

The halfway mark is an insane groove that seems to have its own path but it travels bring it back to the song and impressive lead work.

“The Greatest City On Earth” has a ridiculously awesome opening—its almost mind numbing but the vicious vocals keep it grounded just enough. 

The middle is deep and groovy with the lead guitar cresting on the waves of music.  

“Out Of Gas,” is an odd song with ominous bass tones, incredibly detailed and intricate drumming. 

There a surprising psychedelic aspect to the song, what with the clean vocals and music that doesn't seem to have a real, singular hook.  Near the end is one of the more chaotic passages and it's quite the experience.  A surprise within a surprise? Sure.

"Stress Fractures,” Sounds like the band is on the edge of a collective nervous breakdown. But instead of collapsing on its own weight, the song embraces its own demise and instead it thrives.  

The final song, “Hell Medicine,” must be soundtrack for a psych ward. But there is an odd rhythm to grasp on but that will require multiple listens. While you're waiting, prepare to get hurt with a deadly guitar solo and rapid riffs.

Pyrrhon's “Exhaust,” is a worthy extreme album that doesn't concern itself with anything other than being itself and arriving at a place of controlled chaos, just as long as gets there using every fucked up element possible along the way.