Pyrrhon – Exhaust

Well, this came out of nowhere—promo included! Not many bands can match Pyrrhon‘s ability to obliterate what little sanity the listener has left. The Mother of Virtues and What Passes for Survival are absolute classics, perfect soundtracks for puking while looking up (don’t try it at home, you’ll drown). However, Abscess Time left me a bit cold. I didn’t quite get it, which is why I approached Exhaust with caution. You can never be too safe with a band this volatile. In that sense, Pyrrhon had already succeeded in manipulating my expectations. But enough intro—let’s dive into the madness.

Exhaust is a return to form for Pyrrhon—if by “form”, you mean the sound of rabid raccoons on meth devouring each other. It’s a creative fusion of Concrete Winds, Gorguts, Atheist, and the most improvised jazz New York bars can offer. Exhaust doesn’t hit like a hammer. It’s not going to crush you, but rather it’s like a sharp blade that slices you all over before you even realize it. I didn’t think it was possible, but this may be Pyrrhon‘s most abstract work yet.

It’s hard to pin Exhaust down as a Death Metal or Avant-Garde album. There’s so much jazz in its DNA that it feels like extreme, improvised music. It’s not so much about pain or agony; it’s more about the boundless freedom of insanity. This idiosyncratic approach keeps Pyrrhon from becoming dull. Sure, it’s dissonant and chaotic, but what really stands out is that you have no idea where this album will take you next—not even in the next 10 seconds. That’s how drug-fueled this feels. Forget about structures or grooves—this album comes straight for your head. Ironically, I was tired when I listened to this album, but it reinvigorated me like snorting coffee in the morning (wait, am I the only one who does that?). Still, there are a few things to keep in mind before diving in.

Let’s address the obvious: this is an advanced album that will knock out most Metalheads. The less obvious: Pyrrhon now competes with itself, and I need more time to determine if this tops The Mother of Virtues. Finally, did all the dissonant bands attend a convention and decide to release their albums this year? It’s getting out of hand. The niche is overcrowded, and while Exhaust stands out, I couldn’t help but think about all the other excellent dissonant Death/Black albums we’ve received this year. It’s hard to say where Pyrrhon ranks among them.

Some might see these as nitpicky comments, and maybe they’re right. Pyrrhon is still in great shape. While I miss the novelty of its earlier work, this is still repulsive and grotesque in all the right ways. For those of you who crave visceral experiences, look no further—Pyrrhon has enough guts and chaos to last for years. It’s a pleasant surprise, in the most unhealthy way possible.

Label: Willowtip Records

Release date: 6 September, 2024

Website: https://pyrrhonband.bandcamp.com/album/exhaust

Country: USA

Score: the weirdest acid trip ever, or 4.0/5.0