14th July 2024

Review: “The Art of Unbecoming” by Pariah (1st Anniversary)

Having taken a couple of years to forge their sound, 2022 saw the arrival of debut EP “Outbreak” from Florida Death Metal three piece Pariah. Not wishing to rest on their laurels and feeling inspired, bassist Kyle Nurge, drummer Colin Vaccaro and guitarist Harrison Hullinger (who all share vocals) entered Plush Studios to record a follow up, the ominously titled “The Art of Unbecoming“. Recorded and mastered by Patrick Finster (All Hell Followed With, Nailwound, The Witching Hour) and mixed by Cognitive drummer AJ Viana (Hath, Replicant, Through The Eyes Of The Dead) that record is what put the band on the map and lead them to opening for the mighty Crowbar…

Uncompromising and brutal from the very start, “The Art Of Unbecoming” bursts into life with scalding unclean vocals after seven seconds as the band urgently tear the discerning listener limb from limb. A swirling dark and claustrophobic atmosphere is wrapped in nauseating sinister guitars and pulverising drum patterns as the trio create sounds of foundation rumbling proportions, sliding between Death Metal and Deathcore with consummate ease. Blast beats hit like an artillery shelling before a huge breakdown section has you calling for a tow truck as the bodies begin to pile up and yet there is more. So much more. The blood flows menacingly with the eerie haunting nuances during this serial killers nightmarish vision and straight jackets are needed to take home the patient mental. Shorter and sharper as well as being restless and relentless “Explosive Decompression” has roots in 90’s Death Metal. It cleverly gives momentary respite at the half way point as the band twist and contort into Deathcore once more, not prepared to give an inch as they stand their ground and commit to their chosen sound. A full throttle force to be reckoned with, Pariah are a whirlwind waiting to destroy your town [8/10]

Track Listing