Perhaps the most apt album title of the decade (if not century), the debut album from Pillars is an exercise in creative nihilism. Where Streetcleaner infused propulsive, industrial rhythms into grindcore, Pillars simply grinds away until there is nothing left.

Pillars Onward to Death (Seeing Red)

As such, the pieces become hypnotic as their waves of doom crash against sparse, nearly-midtempo percussion. The label calls this "funeral doom", which is as good a way to double down on the "doom" moniker as anyone.

These are long songs, most--but not all--featuring vocals. I prefer the instrumental sections myself, but the vocals are appropriately seductively dark. Without vocals, this music becomes positively frightening.

So if you imagine the Melvins (or Swans) going full doom you're on the right track. What's really great about Pillars is the band's willingness to find inspiration from a wide palette of rock and metal. We all die in the end, and the ride is slow and painful. Spectacular.

Jon Worley