The new hardcore EP by Pacifist can only be described as straight edged. The EP spends very little time dilly dallying and is also their most lyrically dense work so far. ‘Five’ also features an elevated production, favouring refinement, but not losing out on any of the rawness that the band is famous for. The body of work is still very recognisably unhinged with Siddharth Raveendran dishing out his atonal sensibilities continuing the bands straightforward sense of communication. But with this release what’s become a fact is that Pacifist consistently puts out great material. According to the band, ‘Five’ represents each of the members life and strife through the pandemic. Being in different parts of the country at the time, the EP was conceived as fragments. Each fragment carrying the the unique perspective of each member. They were also keen that there wasn’t any underlying theme for this EP, due to the nature of their process. Each song, as a result, has a distinct taste but still manages to fall under the larger sonic backdrop of the band.
The band hasn’t stumbled on to something new in terms of sonic direction or writing because the aesthetic explored here is largely familiar to their previous offerings. Having said that, what they’ve done is taken what they’re already good at and executed it at a much higher and comprehensive level. The fragmented approach also allowed the band more latitude to not attach themselves to one single idea or archetype that would define the songs. This directly resulted in the band delivering variety in terms of writing, mood, structure and arrangement. This approach is what really makes ‘Five’ so dense.
Wasting no time at all, the clarity of all the layers opening the song ‘Running Out’ really hits you. Each layer is clearly discernible and yet collectively impresses upon you the same raw intensity that the band boasts. Raveendran sounds focused and his writing is very much aligned to the need of the hour. The instrumental layering is better felt than discussed. I can say this though that nothing, at least in this song, feels unnecessary. Every roll, inflexion, break or lick feels important in its placement all for the sake of untangling emotion. Apurv Aggarwal, one of the guitarists of the band, sings on the song as well. His vocal contribution is lyrically brief and melodically potent.
‘Ad Nauseam’ reels you in to the EP with a more familiar structure and approach. Adopting a more standard songwriting architecture, the band dishes out their own take on a verse-chorus-verse-chorus. Lyrically still as lethal, the song however settles down into a groovier pocket, giving listeners a chance to imbibe the songwriting more gently. The instrumental is still classic Pacifist with their use of rhythm shifts and phrasing. The aesthetic of this song is reminiscent of a primal era of heavy guitar music where aggression was communicated through rhythm. The members lock in and do exactly that through the two verses. However the band is very perceptive to modern sensibilities, allowing themselves to break into unconventional rhythmic motifs that adorn entire sections. I have great respect for songwriting that unfurls like this where off kilter perspectives aren’t just wasted on a moment or two. This is felt especially in the bridge, where the song goes full tilt, introducing a new time signature and seemingly abandoning the already progressing schemes.
This is a great bridge because it does exactly what a bridge is supposed to do, take you to a new place. And, before you know it you realise you weren’t that far away from anything, when the song effortlessly transitions back to the outro. ‘Skunk Leather’, unlike the previous track places larger emphasis on melody. The song begins with Aggarwal introducing us to a guitar hook that essentially becomes the core of the melodic extensions later explored in the song. The phrasing and style of the melody inculcates early 2000s tastes. The almost singalong verses lightens the mood considering the sheer intensity of the former tracks. The track still goes hard, with the choruses spotlighting Raveendran’s recognisable delivery. Revisiting a point I made earlier, each section is spiritually connected and branches from that initial guitar motif that starts the song. This holds true to the previous tracks too, and it’s an essential reason why most songs on this EP are so easy to recognise. To do absolutely more with a limited number of ideas.
Another thing that makes itself apparent through the EP is the production chops. While all of what Pacifist has released so far has managed to sound large, this EP showcases a precision and polish unlike their previous material. Each layer of sound is discernible but also glued to the larger sonic palette of the song. The drums, especially the hi hats are presented with a shimmer and the snare is crunchy. The details of the textured guitars also come across clearly and in turn their impact on the composition is more felt. The mix has been treated delicately since the harmonies come through sharply. Despite so much clarity in the mix the overall impression of the sound is massive.
We are quickly sucked back in to aggression with ‘Built to Destroy’. Opening solemnly with a lone guitar melody, the song masquerades in the form of an introspective slow burner before the masks come off. The song detours intensely into heavy guitars, loud vocals, thick drums and foundational bass. This tune compared to the ones that preceded, dawns a maximalist tapestry, brazenly switching between rhythmic and melodic sections with a thuggish shamelessness. The refrain sung by Apurv Aggarwal is really catchy and though a relatively small section in the song, plays a vital role in upping the recall value of the song. The construction of the song however, isn’t reckless. The transitions though abrasive feel calculated and refined. The song feels written with these twists and turns so the final outcome also reflects an ease without having to overly convince the audience of its authenticity.
The final track on the EP is ‘Purge, Atone’. I assumed that after the previous track, the finisher would be something more subtle but I was wrong. The song wastes no time in marking the last mile, progressing rapidly towards the finish line. The guitar introduction featuring both Anish Dhinkar and Apurv Aggarwal is razor sharp and energising. Taking after the compositional aspects of ‘Ad Nauseam’, the track places a heavy emphasis on rhythm and aggression in the first half of the song. Raveendran’s urgent vocal delivery adds restlessness which releases with the hook ‘Just Let Go’. The “chorus” featuring a duet of Raveendrans and Aggarwals vocals feels relaxing. The song however quickly builds back up to the chaos it started with, revisiting the opening rap like verse for a more intense second variation. But this time we are greeted with a more permanent turn of events. The end of Raveendrans intense 2nd verse leads into a calm and long outro. Each instrument almost arranged like a statue patiently playing a repetitive and meditative pose. The change in character is sudden and actually very welcome, easing out the whole auditory experience. Considering how heavy the entire song got, the outro is relatively tender, clearly signalling the endof this arc.
The EP is dense to say the least. There are a lot of lyrics, riffs, hits, grooves and generally chaotic ideas presented through a very clear and objective lens. I do feel however that Raveendran’s writing and rhythmic phrasing feel a little limited and for a change I’d like to hear him break away from his usual vocal antiques into ideas that are more melodic than rhythmic. But maybe this criticism also comes too early and it’s probably only going to get better from here. The band feels extremely streamlined in these songs. Everyone is sticking to their role and that’s giving the sound a distinct thickness and discernibility. Their tones and placements on the bandwidth seem sorted and that is probably the most important thing for the band right now, their sound. With this EP Pacifist has cemented itself as an undeniable act. Waiting for album.
Listen to ‘FIve’ on Apple Music
Buy ‘Five’ on Bandcamp
