We're toasting Maynard James Keenan's upcoming 60th birthday a little early today (March 29th), with the iconic vocalist having just released the previously announced, Sessanta-celebrating three-way split between his A Perfect Circle and Puscifer projects, and the funked-up freaks in Primus.
As noted last week, the Sessanta E.P.P.P. features three brand-new tracks — one a piece from each act — that were all co-written by Keenan. The trifecta of songs will likewise all be performed during the bands' non-traditional Sessanta spring tour, which will see the three bands sharing the stage at the same time.
A Perfect Circle's "Kindred" is a glacial, majestic bit of progressive gloomscaping, with spectral piano-and-symphony-string ambiance and percussively-anchored riffage supporting Maynard as he waxes on kindred spirits and the fleeting "nature of all connection."
Puscifer's "No Angel" mostly leans into a supremely spacious alt-metal groove, at least until it hits a distorted climax full of Carina's "ding-donging" vocal layers. Primus' "Pablo's Hippos" is a fractured funk-metal stomp where Keenan's familiar gloomy tenor ricochets off Les Claypool's taut bass poppin' and a gonzo bit of guitar irregularity from Larry "Ler" LaLonde.
It's probably fair to note that these songs could all end up morphing in a live setting. While the Sessanta E.P.P.P. tracks were recorded by the respective acts — outside of Maynard's appearance on the Primus tune — the members from all three bands will be on hand each night, potentially punching up the arrangements in unique new ways.
The Sessanta E.P.P.P. is streaming now on all major digital music platforms, while a 12-inch vinyl pressing of the split is available to order here.
