Pyrrhon
Abscess Time


3.5
great

Review

by Robert Garland STAFF
June 29th, 2020 | 156 replies


Release Date: 2020 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A stitch in time…

Perspective shapes our preferences and understanding. When havoc and dissent become second nature, there’s a real question as to what would define “normal” among those who seek out dissonance, contrast, and turmoil. It’s this sort of person or group that is met with differing levels of criticism, often misunderstood or discarded without a second thought. From this point of view, what’s considered “normal” comes down to a point of view. When you take an Amazonian tribal woman to New York, her view of the world becomes instantly foreign, unnatural and about as far from normal as one could imagine. It’s these differences in perception and values that allow those who push against the perceived norm to be treated with hesitation, avoidance and even mistrust. In this case Pyrrhon, for better or worse, has always been an act that takes a perceived boundary, smashing the perceptions of what a particular style of music should sound like. However, Pyrrhon failed to really start turning heads until their sophomore record, The Mother of Virtues which showcased a band in the midst of irreverent, discordant beauty. Since then, Pyrrhon has taken their craft, molded it and twisted it: like smoke unfurling upwards unto oblivion. The smoke remains familiar to itself—but never quite identical ever again.

More recently, Pyrrhon’s What Passes For Survival became a bridge between the worlds of adjacently-born technical freneticism and unbridled outta the ***ing window compositions that left just as many sour grimaces as stupid grins on the faces of their fans. Still, What Passes For Survival offered a unique insight into where the band could possibly move forward, explore and cultivate. Comparatively, it’s hard to stack this against anything other than the band’s previous records. Where The Mother of Virtues was out of the blue for most die hard death metal fans (please forgive this brave hyperbole), the abrasive blending of genres took a staple of Gorguts and warped it to an unspecified extreme. In turn, What Passes For Survival became an understatement to what came before it, given to a world of not-yet-achieved greatness in the form of musical insanity with attempted given focus.

The album’s title track saunters feedback-laced schizophrenia with earthy bass rumbles that showcase a world of opposites seemingly melts into each other. Even though the track is abrasive, revelling in its downright chaotic nature, it’s the fall back into everything that is What Passes For Survival that compels familiarity, grasping firmly on the foundations laid bare in a more digestible fashion. In typical Pyrrhon style, the guitar lines lurch back and forth, brought together by an ever-present slap of a snare and bass punch.

“The Lean Years” continues the album’s natural penchant for rambunctious, stop-start musicianship. Doug Moore’s usual, abrasive vocal preamble falls into rhythm, accentuating the punishment, pain and downright random approach the band has when making their music and at times his pained shouts and shrieks sit next to the instrumental dyslexia, without smothering the band’s other half. Abscess Time however, does find a better strength as the record moves towards its robust belly. The melancholic notes that bleed through the mix of “The Cost Of Living” transform into a doom fed, yet sneakily forward moving track and without knowing it the listener is transported from one end to the other—and almost nine minutes feels like a journey of three, and readily played again. The shorter blasts of “Overwinding” and “Human Capital” feed on the frenzied pacing of the album, snippets into a soul filled with too many ideas and yet, they seem outwardly more straight-forward than the frenzy of the group’s 2017 piece. Even with this in mind it becomes hard to dismiss the pull of the record’s closing moments. Abscess Time isn’t a straight-forward record, nor is it instantly recognisable in the face of a more conservative crowd. In fact it’s perception falls upon the listener—one that’s ready to fall in love with the chaos, see the natural misgivings and still enjoy themselves regardless. It’s unlikely the band were looking towards the masses for validation of their craft and yet, Abscess Time is an imperfect marvel of sorts. Clear imperfections highlight the glory found in fleeting moments. Perspective itself is found in deeper, wholesome attitudes—but definitely not for everyone.



Recent reviews by this author
Cognizance PhantazeinSarmat Determined To Strike
Thy Catafalque AlföldEsoctrilihum Astraal Constellations of the Majickal Zodiac
Blindfolded and Led to the Woods Rejecting ObliterationImpetuous Ritual Iniquitous Barbarik Synthesis
user ratings (147)
3.6
great
other reviews of this album
Check Pyrrhon (they/she) (5)
"I have chosen you to preach this evangel"...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 29th 2020


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Not the greatest, but I'm still able to stand by it

.

Pon
Emeritus
June 29th 2020


6100 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

The singles sound a lot better as part of the album than on their own IMO. Need to give this quite a few listens before I pass judgement as it's a lot to take in, and certain sections sounded absolutely incredible.

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
June 29th 2020


19009 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I'm still digesting but I'm enjoying it. Down at Liberty Ashes or Another Day in Paradise are great jams.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 29th 2020


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This has definitely earned some play time these last few weeks.

Mort.
June 29th 2020


26097 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Abscess time is one of the heaviest things I've heard in a while

brainmelter
Contributing Reviewer
June 29th 2020


8422 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

yea I had to hear this a couple of times to really grasp the lot of it, good songz

bloc
June 29th 2020


70683 Comments


Band is horrible

Mort.
June 29th 2020


26097 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

in the best way tho

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 29th 2020


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

The best way. Horribly beautiful.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
June 30th 2020


32185 Comments


Nicely written dude, loved the intro especially.

I haven't checked this one yet. Their last one was enjoyable, the times I was craving for some utter chaos. Have to find the right time for this the same way.

Wayfarer1991
June 30th 2020


141 Comments


Liking this a lot so far, as I expected.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 30th 2020


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

-- the times I was craving for some utter chaos.--



I had a pretty hectic few weeks of work. This is a perfect back drop for that.

Pon
Emeritus
June 30th 2020


6100 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This be hittin hard

Tyll
June 30th 2020


38 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Absolutely love this album! Needed a few listens to really get into it and I am constant hearing new things. Just getting better!

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 30th 2020


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Welcome new face. m/

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
June 30th 2020


4614 Comments


Really really love this review. Started this album a couple days and really dug a few tracks, but not enough to fully give it a solid rating yet. Definitely gonna have to give it another spin after this write up!

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 30th 2020


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Thanks tyman, I agree with the first few moments of the review but part of me feels like a rambler sometimes.

DDDeftoneDDD
June 30th 2020


22817 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

hey cool Nocte! Maybe this time I 3.5-4 one from these guys.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 30th 2020


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I'll be glad to hear how you go triple DDD regardless of the expectation or not. Let us know how you go!

DDDeftoneDDD
June 30th 2020


22817 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

I'll go, and when I go, I'll let you all know



XD



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy