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Periphery – A Pale White Dot (2026) Review

Summary
Periphery, Shmeriphery, right? Wrong. Well... mostly. "What do you want from Periphery" is a question likely answered differently from fans of olde. For me, it is always a desire for the metalcore-esque and rhythmically alluring songs that define themselves on a precipice of melodic captivity and rhythmic groove. Is this a lot to ask for? Oh, yes, definitely. But, what Misha has promised within Periphery (and Haunted Shores, too) is quite the tall order to fill: huge riffing (expert-level), supreme production (good luck), and Meshuggah piety (required). With that said, does A Pale White Dot live up to the Periphery that captured a generation of musicians/music fans/degenerate metal elitists? For the most part, most certainly, yes. Periphery's A Pale White Dot has so many wonderfully engaging moments, passages of intensity and meaning, expressions of their new and evolving musical outlook, and straight up disgusting filth. It is good - don't be mistaken - and is worthy of your ear, with sections that will cradle you as the vulnerable little morsel you are. You'll enjoy your time here - and, if not, what do I care?
Good
  • Some filthy riffs peppered throughout the album
  • Melodically a strong album, albeit at times it is buried within the production
  • Drumming from Matt is still heavily rhythmically complementary, which guides the tracks through an accessible and guided journey
  • Periphery can still, at will, execute heavy and then somber, whilst maintaining the meaningful relationship between the two - great progressive metal
  • When Spencer is on, he is on
Bad
  • There aren't enough filthy and memorable sections to meet the same result that other Periphery albums meet
  • I worry some of the filthier riffs - and creative exploration within riff-writing - are reserved for Haunted Shores (you know which ones I'm talking about)
  • The soft, ambient interlude sections and tracks are nice, but they don't feel like truly progressive elements
  • When Spencer is off, I am off. Certain thetmatic framing isn't my favourite, either
8.1
Great
Leads & Melodies - 8.3
Rhythms & Percussion - 8.2
Vocals - 7.8
Lyrics & Themes - 8.1
Composition - 8
The resident cave dwelling, chug loving, prog snob that doesn't like prog. You'll find me overindulging in mediocre music and rating it way too high.

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