Puresonic Outcasts - Endless Contemplation

Puresonic Outcasts have finally dropped their long-awaited second EP. The heavy/stoner metallers turn up their amps, downtune their axes and introduce a much heavier era for the band with Endless Contemplation, a six-song selection of some of the finest riffs in Northern Ireland.

Indeed, this is a release that worships the power of The Riff™. In a similar vein to 2020's Reflections Upon This Present Condition, they've got stoned-out jams and fuzz-heavy guitar passages that tread the path first laid out by Black Sabbath over fifty years ago. Two of the six are solely instrumental tracks, with their riff worship and creation of atmosphere leading these songs. For example, 'Mudlarker' has an Orion-style, psychedelic bass intro, with a buildup in intensity and atmosphere that reminds me a little of 'Chasing Shadows' from eighteen months ago (more about that here), culminating into a Candlemass-like doom metal finish. I've said it before - PSO are absolute masters of building a vibe within a song without ever having to overplay or over-complicate proceedings.

Yet this is a different beast from Reflections... two years ago. Some of the riffs on display take from balls-out heavy fucking metal - with elements of groove metal or South of Heaven-era Slayer lurking mischievously beneath the surface. We've seen hints of a more aggressive PSO taking form in their two singles between Reflections... and Endless Contemplation. However, with songs such as 'Humanoid' or ripping lead single 'Desecration', this side of PSO comes out in full force. Of course, there's still the stoner doom aspects that are integral to the band. It's just that they sound so much more evil and punishing this time around.

Compare 'Om' to the demo of 'Roar' we first heard a couple of years ago. It sounds much grittier, heavier and darker on Endless Contemplation - in part because the guitars are tuned lower - but the deep, ritualistic singing that gives 'Om' so much character also wasn't really there on the demo. A slow-burning, stoned-out neck bobber, it's interesting for me to compare the two, having been a follower of the quartet for a couple of years now, and see how the band have evolved over one song.

The performances are solid, too. 'Politics of Fear' is home to some fantastic drumwork, with a jaunty intro and ever-shifting patterns. Martin's gruff vocals are very strong on the EP, reminding me of Tom Araya at times. In a way, it seems a shame how much the band love to jam out instrumentally on riffs, as strong as those riffs might be! I have to give a nod to the excellent lead bass work, too, particularly on the two instrumental tracks.

Endless Contemplation is a well-rounded EP that shows Puresonic Outcasts evolving into new territories while retaining a clear identity as a band. They're darker, harder and more pissed off than ever before... but it's still them.

Hats off.

Many thanks to the band for their constant support of the blog!

For fans of Sabbath, Slayer and stoner rock.

Endless Contemplation was released via Kingside Records on 27/05/2022

MN