PYTHIAN is a Sludge/Doom/Post-Metal band from the United States. "Understanding in Light" is the band's second EP, and contains four tracks. "Last Fires" is the opening track. It begins with ominous and tense tones bubbling in the background. Eerie spoken words enter, with some dissonance. A smooth and mellow riff eases in, and it begins to increase in intensity. The vocals are shouted as the Doomy atmosphere materializes. It continues this way until near the end, where it picks up in pace and rage.

"Understanding in Light" is a shorter cut that begins with harsh tones out of the gate, with dual vocals (one shouted and the other guttural), down-tuned guitars and bass, and rocking drums. The song drones for a few minutes, resting on a set of doomy riffs. "Beyond the Draw" opens with more eerie tones and spoken words. Interference runs in the background. Thick bass notes and drums roll in, followed by a down-tuned guitar riff. Shouted vocals carry the singing, then the song ducks down deep into a hole, with subdued sounds. Guttural vocals take over, with shouted vocals answering. The duo is skin to someone being tortured, slow and painfully. The shouts return through the end.

"Ottawa" closes the album. It begins with clean and solemn acoustical guitars. They create a calming atmosphere that is soon dashed by a smoking guitar riff, forward and powerful. It continues in this linear fashion until massive bass notes take over at the half-way point, and the song goes into a jam mode with lead guitars. It finishes with another trade-off of guttural and shouted vocals. Overall, this was a solid EP. Although the band rests a lot on their trademark sound, there is just enough experimentation and other elements to keep it interesting. A little more of their personality could really catapult this sound forward, however.