Pitch Black cover

Pitch Black

Meshuggah · 2013

15 min · 2 tracks · progressive metal

A relentless blend of polyrhythmic heaviness and intricate melodies that challenge the boundaries of extreme metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Pitch Black — The title track encapsulates the EP's sonic essence with its shifting tempos and aggressive instrumentation, highlighting Meshuggah's signature style.
  • →
    Dancers to a Discordant System (live) — This live rendition allows listeners to experience the raw energy of Meshuggah's performance, revealing how they elevate studio tracks into powerful live anthems.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100
Treeline
Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases intricate compositions and strong live energy but lacks cohesion due to its limited track count.

What we noticed

  • The live recording of 'Dancers to a Discordant System' captures the band's dynamic stage presence, with audience interaction enhancing the performance's intensity.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

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
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — Continues exploration of complex sound but lacks mainstream recognition.
Themes
polyrhythmic chaos· industrial landscapes
Career context
Released in early 2013, Pitch Black serves as Meshuggah's first EP since their acclaimed 2012 album Koloss, continuing their exploration of complex structures and time signatures. The band was solidifying their status within the progressive and avant-garde metal scenes while maintaining a loyal fanbase eager for their innovative sound.
Stylistic neighbors
Gojira· Tesseract· Between the Buried and Me
New to Meshuggah? Find your way in →

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Pitch Black 5:55
  • 2 Dancers to a Discordant System (live) 9:50

What to play next

The Violent Sleep of Reason
Listen next

The Violent Sleep of Reason

2016

Continues the complex rhythms and heaviness while exploring new sonic textures.
Koloss
Go back to

Koloss

2012

Sets the stage with a similar intensity and intricate composition style.
Full Meshuggah discography Where to start with Meshuggah Artists like Meshuggah
avant-garde metal extreme metal progressive metal

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Calculating Infinity

Calculating Infinity

The Dillinger Escape Plan

Shares complex time signatures and chaotic energy with a blend of mathcore and progressive elements.

The Parallax II: Future Sequence

The Parallax II: Future Sequence

Between the Buried and Me

Explores intricate structures and themes of existentialism within a progressive metal framework.

Altered State

Altered State

Tesseract

Combines polyrhythmic intricacy with atmospheric soundscapes, echoing Meshuggah's sonic experimentation.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata