| Pillorian | |
| Origin: | Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Genre: | Black metal |
| Years Active: | – |
| Label: | Eisenwald Tonschmiede |
| Current Members: |
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Pillorian was an American metal band from Portland, Oregon. It was formed in 2016 by John Haughm, Trevor Matthews, and Stephen Parker. Pillorian released their only full-length album, Obsidian Arc, on March 10, 2017.[1]
Pillorian was formed early in the summer of 2016 with the stated goal of "[creating] a unique, sinister, and twisted style of dark/black metal". The word "pillorian" means "of or relating to scorn and condemnation".[2] The band formed shortly after the breakup of Haughm's previous band, Agalloch.[3]
On February 10, 2017 Pillorian released their first single, "A Stygian Pyre". NPR described the titular song as "feral" and "bestial", but with "enormous" production values.[4]
One month later, on March 10, 2017 Pillorian released their first full studio album, Obsidian Arc. The album received mixed to positive reviews. Sputnik Music gave the album a rating of 5 out of 5, or "classic", and alluding to a lyric from one of Agalloch's songs,[5] summarized its review by saying that "if this grand panorama before me is what you call god... then god is not dead."[6] Decibel magazine gave the album an 8/10 review, calling it "categorically black metal" and "darker, edgier and far more dissonant" than Haughm's previous work as the frontman of Agalloch.[7] Metal Injection called the album a "somewhat promising start", but said that the album was too safe and that despite being good, "seldom [veers] towards being great".[8]
In February 2019, Matthews and Parker both left the band after Haughm made comments on Facebook that were criticized for being anti-Semitic.[9] In his apology letter, Haughm stated that Pillorian would not continue.[10]