Artist description Antichrist Black Metal for the Final Age of Mankind

Music Style Black Metal

Musical Influences Mayhem, Gorgoroth

Similar Artists See for yourself

Group Members

Press Reviews Erebus Webzine (United States) -- One positive quality of the US Black Metal scene is that when most bands have turned their backs on the early archetype and are opting for industrial, operatic or pseudo-symphonic tangents, they, Pyre, are sitting secure on their darkthrones and refuse to budge a muscle whatever the consensus. Such behavior, the refusal "to fall prey to such trends as 'retro thrash metal' and 'enchanting gothic metal'," as their biographical notes assert, are quite commendable in fact since there is still a lot to explore in this style. I, like Raum and the others in this band, am convinced that there is still much to discover in this form of music. But does Pyre make any kind of positive impression in this regard? Do they have the vision and individuality to NOT be pigeonholed as just another US Black Metal band? I think that, despite some minor flaws, the answer to both questions is yes. Pyre have recorded a four-song demo with a strong and emotionally engaging outcome. Lyrical and (presumably) thematic cliches make it difficult to disentangle them from the rest of the USBM underground, but they possess certain virtues that others, at least in this reviewer's opinion, lack. For one, as I've said before, no "retro thrash" or gothic aspirations. This is a boon, no doubt about it. Second, some of the riffs here are simply excellent. Listen to "Baleful Living Shadow," the absolute highlight of this tape, or "Midwinter's Anguish." You will understand what I am saying. Third, all of the instrumentalists are skilled musicians: the drumming is great, the guitar work leaves little to be desired and the vocals are, if not extreme enough to flay skin off a pedophile priest, at least sufficiently venomous to shock and place yourself in trouble with your Sunday School teacher. Pyre, as a band who have existed for over three years now, exercise all of the ingredients for good black metal, certainly. The only negative thing I can say about them, beyond their somewhat trite lyrical approach, is that their efforts seem a bit reserved. The outcome of this demo is competent and engaging, as I have said, but it leaves just a little to be desired. There is something missing here, I just cannot place what it is. At any rate, I like what they are doing. This is one beast that I hope will not start taking violin lessons anytime soon. Y. Arkadin

Additional Info 4-song cassette dub of "Luciferian Dark Age" available for $3

Location El Paso, Texas - USA

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