I had zero preconceived notions of what Theyrgy would sound like. Calling themselves post-punk, post-hardcore and shoegaze could have meant anything. The fact that John E. Bomher (of avant-garde Yakuza) is a Theyrgy member and recording master only added another layer of unknowing. Famous producer Sanford Parker contributing his mixing prowess on one of the tracks only cemented the avant-garde reputation, so given a short EP length I thought I’d wade into the waters gingerly, hoping I could make sense of a possible wall of noise and weird time signatures. Exit Strategies couldn’t be further from that description and proved to be an entirely easy to get into and enjoyable listen.

Even with post-punk credentials of its members Theyrgy, to me anyway, is a lot more free form flowing progressive avant-garde than anything else. The opening Intro may be discordant orchestral pit uncomfortable, but Crack of the Egg is both fleeting and floating, definitely radiating light and positivity, even if the middle of the song grows denser. The vocals are androgynous and detached, not of this world, and electronics add a lot of volume. Everything on Crack of the Egg and Dreamcatcher is about improvisation, and instruments going in their own individual direction, although all with impeccable production, so there is not even a hint of cacophony, and, if anything, melodies are prominent, even if vocals are not tying themselves up in knots trying to follow. The sounds of Exit Strategies are crystal clear, the pulsation and cymbal of Dreamcatcher, the electronic beat and atmospherics of Walk Away, reminding me of all things Depeche Mode. If being post-hardcore means to be dissonant Theyrgy has a very slight edge of it. Dreamcatcher hesitates on the brink of dissonance here and there, but steadies itself from falling off. Hiding Your Face in the Wall is definitely most disturbed and most disturbing, angled and sideways. It has the most prominent base, most heaviness and least light airiness characterizing the rest of the EP. Reading the story behind Hiding Your Face in the Wall (some nun figure mysteriously dying on an island in Mediterranean because of some cult in early 20th century), makes me think whether I fully grasped all points, all harnessing of chaos and transforming darkness into light Theyrgy attempted. I can safely say that probably not, but intrigue listening to this EP never waned, so I got to appreciate it quite a few times taking it along for the ride.