Hierarchies - Hierarchies Album Review
There’s something about the interplay of beauty and disarray that captivates the mind. Hierarchies, the self-titled debut from this dissonant/technical death metal trio, is an album that takes this concept to its extreme. Much like the "Pillars of Creation," both the album cover and its content evoke a cosmic storm of chaos and wonder. This is not music for those who prefer their death metal structured and predictable. Instead, Hierarchies demands that you surrender to its madness, and in doing so, you uncover a form of beauty unlike anything else.
From the very first listen, it’s clear that this album thrives in the unconventional. The focus is entirely on the instrumentation, with vocals taking a backseat as an additional texture rather than a centerpiece. The result is a constant, overwhelming feeling of angst, dread, and mayhem. However, it’s far from haphazard. Each note, riff, and beat has been placed with such precision that it becomes awe-inspiring the more you think about it. It’s chaos, yes, but chaos that has been engineered to perfection.
The depth of this album is something I can’t overstate. No matter how high-quality your headphones or speakers are, it feels like Hierarchies is a bottomless well of sonic layers. Every listen reveals something new, an extra riff here or a subtle rhythm change there, and after six listens, I’m convinced that it would take a lifetime to fully grasp everything this album has to offer.
The timing across the tracks is absolutely bewildering. There are moments where the rhythms feel intentionally off-kilter, creating a sense of unease that’s impossible to shake. At the same time, these seemingly disjointed sections somehow resolve into moments of clarity that are so satisfying they almost feel like relief. It’s a musical embodiment of falling through the vast, cosmic expanse: moments of dread and despair interspersed with brief glimpses of peace before the descent resumes.
This album plays like a journey, where every second is exactly as long as it needs to be. Even the feedback at the end of track six feels purposeful, like a final exhale at the end of a harrowing chapter. It’s not the kind of album that hits you immediately. My first listen left me intrigued, but unsure of what exactly I was experiencing. By the sixth listen, I was fully immersed in its world.
The band, consisting of Nicholas Turner on guitar, Anthony Wheeler on bass, and Jared Moran on drums and vocals, have created something that feels almost otherworldly. Their music pushes the boundaries of reality, a feat of dissonant precision that leaves you teetering between fascination and madness. The interplay between instruments is chaotic yet deliberate, with riffs piling on top of each other before resolving into haunting, unforgettable melodies.
This isn’t an album that can be easily categorized. It’s not just dissonant death metal. It’s a sonic experiment, a psychological experience, and a descent into the unknown. Hierarchies isn’t here to be palatable. It’s here to challenge, overwhelm, and consume you.
Would I recommend this album? Absolutely, but only if you’re prepared to embrace its intensity. This isn’t casual listening. It’s an experience that will haunt you long after the final note fades. If you’re ready to explore the beauty of chaos and let an album drag you into its depths, then Hierarchies is a must-listen.