Straight On Target - Pharmakos - review

Straight On Target - Pharmakos - review

Cover image of the reviewed item
Album
Pharmakos
Style
Deathcore
Release date
January 14, 2013
Reviewer
7.4
Tracklist
01. Theta
02. Ostrakon
03. Demonized
04. Wake Up Apathetic
05. Dreadful Eyes
06. Initiation
07. He Spreads Hypocrisy
08. Synesthesia
09. Palm Leaves Readers
A review by
wormdrink414
January 29, 2013
Uncontroversial statement time: Deathcore can really, really suck.

When it comes to general shit-wrecking though? Deathcore done right can be the tits. And this album here, despite its regular hiccups, is full of deathcore done right. When all is said and done and broken down, its general success/failure, K/D ratio is pretty impressive. A good bit of time, it's one of those hard-hitting deathcore albums that deserves to be thrown on.

It doesn't seem too much like the kind of deathcore the Hot Topic-type, cigar-smoking trend hucksters mass-produce. It seems like a brutal album that's brutal for brutality's sake, one that doesn't consist solely of breakdowns to jump invisible rope to. But it isn't overly technical either. It's, though it's a little too cleanly mixed, got a no-frills kind of honesty to it that gives it bite. Even with its occasional breakdown abuse and little glitch electronic flourishes, it never feels too plasticky.

There are moments on this where the chunk and weight of the riffing and breakdowning can't hold the tracks together. Songs will barrel and trudge along then trip and fall down on awkwardly-placed and boring slams, say, or a bit of ugly vocal delivery. Those moments are infrequent enough though. For the most part, this thing keeps the sonic fists flying toward the ears, landing some savage blows. It ain't bad.

Stand-out tracks: "Dreadful Eyes" and "Initiation"
Written on 29.01.2013 by
Written on 29.01.2013 by
Wormdrink's real name is George and he's an American.

Comments

Comments: 3 Visited by 93 users

Posts: 1239


Permalink
30.01.2013 - 06:44

Posts: 1239


No thanks. I just saw a deathcore support act the other day, and all those breakdowns are so detracting... I'm not going to say anything about this band without listening, but for the moment I'm just fed up with -cores.
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qlacs
"The Quaker"

Posts: 1571


Permalink
31.01.2013 - 00:15
qlacs
"The Quaker"

Posts: 1571


Is it any similar to Within The Ruins? I don't want to hurt me ears you know, that's why I'm asking...
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wormdrink414
Elite

Posts: 1295


Permalink
31.01.2013 - 00:31
wormdrink414
Elite

Posts: 1295


Written by qlacs on 31.01.2013 at 00:15

Is it any similar to Within The Ruins? I don't want to hurt me ears you know, that's why I'm asking...

Don't know that band, but this probably won't hurt any ears in any bad way.
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