Denver doom trio Oryx have always wielded heaviness deftly, knowing when to crush the listener and when to pull back. That hasn’t changed on new album Primordial Sky. If anything, it’s only gotten more pronounced, as you’ll hear on “Myopic,” the first track from the band’s upcoming release, due out October 18 on Translation Loss.
Adding a blackened edge to their brand of death metal-infected sludge, “Myopic” starts with noisy guitars before the full band jumps in, locking in to a plodding groove, weaving dark melodies over chugs and growls. Just when it seems like that’s how the song will remain for its runtime, Oryx change things up, introducing acoustic guitar and later a guitar solo, adding vibrancy to the seven-minute song.
“Lyrically, ‘Myopic’ is a requiem portraying a state of conflict with the human condition amidst a deep-seated psychosis that demands immediate gratification, simultaneously speeding towards an extinction event of our own creation,” explains guitarist/vocalist Thomas Davis. “Writing this song involved a multi-faceted approach, incorporating bass and guitar harmonies, an acoustic interlude and pummeling drums. This song is one of Primordial Sky’s most aggressive and energetic tracks, while still featuring the intricate layering embodied throughout the rest of the album.
Primordial Sky is ORYX’s pinnacle offering to date, showcasing each member’s best work and a surgical collective approach to exploring deeply expressive songwriting. Writing and recording these songs has been an immensely cathartic journey, one that we are eager to share with the world.”
Complete with cover art by renowned sci-fi artist John Harris, Primordial Sky is one of the year’s best sludge releases. Listen to “Myopic” below.
