A Pyrrhic Existence cover

A Pyrrhic Existence

Esoteric · 2019

97 min · 6 tracks · funeral doom metal

A heavy, suffocating soundscape envelops listeners in a haunting exploration of despair and existential dread.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Descent — Clocking in at over 27 minutes, this track epitomizes the band's epic approach, unfolding through slow, crushing riffs that build an intense atmosphere of hopelessness.
  • →
    Rotting in Dereliction — This piece showcases Esoteric's ability to blend melodic elements with unabashed heaviness, highlighting their skillful dynamics and lyrical themes of decay and despair.
  • →
    Culmination — As one of the longer tracks on the album, it encapsulates the essence of funeral doom with its profound weight and gradual build-up towards a cathartic climax.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate arrangements and heavy sound create a compelling experience within its genre.

What we noticed

  • The album features lengthy tracks, with most exceeding eight minutes, allowing for gradual build-ups and extended instrumental passages.
  • The use of layered guitar harmonies and atmospheric keyboards contributes to a dense soundscape that envelops the listener throughout.
  • Several tracks incorporate ambient interludes that serve as transitions, enhancing the overall sense of despair and existential dread.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Descent 27:39
  • 2 Rotting in Dereliction 15:50
  • 3 Antim Yatra 4:40

Disc 2

  • 1 Consuming Lies 15:02
  • 2 Culmination 18:46
  • 3 Sick and Tired 15:44

What to play next

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Go back to

Paragon of Dissonance

2011
Full Esoteric discography Artists like Esoteric
funeral doom metal

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