| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: Tiago De Souza |
| Record Label: Retroactive | Country Of Origin: NewZealand & Brazil |
| Year Released: 2019 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 66:12 |
Between The Altar & The Cross, the December of 2019 Retroactive Records sophomore release of multinational act Perpetual Paranoia, does not cleanly fit within any specific style guidelines. Whereas the heavy metal and thrash of 2018 debut The Reapers (also Retroactive) left little doubt in terms of its musical intentions, referencing the 85% Angelic Warlord review to describe it as ‘(following) a pattern similar to early Deliverance by joining the best aspects of the heavy and melodic’, Between The Altar & The Cross is not quite so clear cut. Yes, it also stays true to a similar metal and thrash basis, but this is where the comparison ends in that Between The Altar & The Cross separates as much more diverse.
It begins with how it draws upon strong progressive elements, as found in lengthier songwriting in addition to abounding time signatures and maze like twists and turns as to make ones head spin. It also encompasses a melodic metal influence in that Between The Altar & The Cross places added emphasis (even if slightly) on catchier choruses and riffs, not that The Reapers is in any way repetitious. Finally, Perpetual Paranoia throws the occasional curveball the few occasions it ventures into modern territory but in a flattering sense in further building upon the albums diversity. When faced with such variances on part of the group, I find a ‘progressive but melodic technical thrash’ label works best, even though (as we shall see in the track by track) it is not an all-encompassing one.
Unchanged are how Perpetual Paranoia represents a partnership between New Zealand based vocalist Dale Thompson (Bride, The World Will Burn), who continues to bring his varied but melodic vocal presence, and Brazilian guitarist Tiago De Souza (Hand Of Fire), who lends to the project its ingrained heaviness and aggression. Rounding out the Between The Altar & The Cross lineup are numerous guest performers, including guitarists Paul Jackson (Bloodgood), Oz Fox (Stryper) and Troy Thompson (Bride) and vocalists Les Carlsen (Bloodgood) and Chaz Bond (Biogenesis).
Opener “Trampled Under Feet” is a mauler that literally does that. With church organ and harsh narration to start, it storms its distance in keyed up fashion - hitting heavily but not to the point of repetition - but also decelerating for an eerie passages accented by keyboards of a direful variety. All the while Chaz Bond throws in the periodic scream and Oz Fox solos with abandon throughout the dual instrumental breaks. Lyrics reflect the faith of Thompson and De Souza:
Punish the Leviathan, the fleeing serpent
Slay that beast in the sea
Throw him down, that ancient devil
For the whole world is deceived
Seven heads, ten horns, blasphemy written on his head
Glowing flames from his mouth
His tail pulling down the Stars of Heaven
Smoke from his nostrils, foul river of doubt
Albums title track ensues in similar no-nonsense fashion. First two minutes are on the tempered side to feature macabre feedback and melodic vocal harmonies, with the subsequent three and a half revealing labyrinth-like fluctuations. Periodic double bass outbursts command over the discordant verse sections and a surprisingly catchy melody the concise refrain- all the while offbeat instrumental excursions to feature organ build upon the unpredictability. Impression is of a very good collection of progressive to melodic metal to classic rock to just about all things in between.
“Sin Machine” throws in some complementary hard rock grit, reflective of how Dale lends some AC/DC style rasp to his vocal delivery. With off kilter keyboards to start, the song powers ahead as double bass plays a commanding role (as organ lightens the backend) only to decelerate for key passages to mirror a hauntingly deliberate feel. Impetus slows further for a refrain of the highest melodic quality. Equally impressive is how Paul Jackson carries things instrumental wise. Lyric snippet:
I died for the liar, the fighter and the thief
For the child crying, and the mother bearing grief
I died for the soul who has been left all alone
The soldier in the battlefield that dreams of home
From my brow, from my hands the raining crimson stains
My feet push against the nails, my lungs fail
My heart breaks in pain
Perpetual Paranoia revisits its straight on metal to thrash ways on “Living With The Gods”. It kicks in at once at a near speed metal tempo only to settle down to ominous mid-tempo clip, transitioning its distance between moments of the mercurial and others in which guitars crunch in granulating form. Ominous keyboards play an accenting role. My favorite part is the harsh narration to give way to the flashy instrumental section.
Bands signature track maintains the course but with the difference being intermittent guitars with a modern vibe. Outside of that, “Perpetual Paranoia” is a non-stop straightforward heavy metal onslaught, remorseless with its sledgehammer demeanor but not forsaking melody as manifest in its engaging keyboard lines and catchy vocal harmonizing from Les Carlsen. Instrumental interlude drifts between organ and De Souza’s bristling leads. Lyric snippet:
Jacob’s ladder we must climb
Sorrowful impressions of the sublime
Up the body of the battered, beaten and bruised
This is Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews
Cataclysmic, dull soundless day
When gloom pervades your spirit
Unredeemed dreariness with bitter gall, trepidation
Prostrating power of the destroyer with lying temptation
“Though He Slays Me” represents one of the albums fastest with its power to speed metal bent. Plenty of double bass presents alongside cinematic keyboards, with the rapid-fire spoke word delivery for the verse sections further elevating the forward aggression. Interestingly, impetus comes crashing to a stop past the halfway point for haunting narration not to mention the final angelic seconds.
“There Will Be Blood” contrasts with a slower and more crushing, doom-like sound. Trudging forward from the start, it evokes images of the mournful in terms of the brooding refrain (with an epic feel) and acoustic and keyboard passages in which momentum decelerates further. Added variety comes in the form of the brief passage to include some fitting rap-like delivery (fitting in terms of how it hearkens back to classic Bride track “Evil Dreams” off Silence Is Madness). Lyric snippet:
No stairway to heaven, the tower of Babel has fallen
Jacob’s ladder has been pushed from the wall
We’ve gone to the mountain top
All we’ve had is sin and death
Deliver us from this cursed law
Cities built in the skies, clouds cover and hide
But heaven is out of reach
No one hears the prayers of the vain
Showstopper “In Vain” best embodies the Perpetual Paranoia progressive tendencies. Where to begin? The song is literally all over the place is six minutes: hitting with all out speed metal energy only to slow to a near standstill at moments notice; at intervals erupting for modern like angst but also imbuing a haunting (and surprisingly) catchy melody. Brother Troy Thompson lends a bluesy edge with his moving lead guitar work.
More of the same with “My God My God”, as it slowly fades in to haunting feedback its first minute until pulverizing guitars crash in. Moving ahead, we are treated to an unremitting power thrash assault, curtly driven with its drubbing double bass, lambasting riffs and trouncing but not redundant refrain. A return to a slower, ominous direction reveals just past the four-minute mark. Lyric snippet:
I was the thorns of your crowns
I was the sweat from your brow
I was the nails that kept you there
I was the sword in your side that took your air
Blood red is the stains, the whole world that is the pain
Healing that is the desire, My God, My God that is the cry
Father forgive them, Father forgive them
Album takes its lone downturn on “Church Of Make Believe”. This one takes the thrash signatures too far for my taste, resulting in a heavy handed listen in which missing is the enticing (even if subtly) melody characteristic to remaining of the albums material. Better is “The Rhema” in a melodic sense with its dramatic portrayal of the crucifixion with a return to an engaging technical metal framework. Closing things is aptly entitled short open air vocal piece “Acapella”.
It might be a reach to describe Perpetual Paranoia sophomore effort Between The Altar & the Cross as ‘progressive but melodic technical thrash’, but it is also within the ballpark. That said, there is also a bit more to the group all the same - modern, melodic and even power metal - in that an all-encompassing label proves problematic. No matter the designation, you cannot say the album is not very good in that Perpetual Paranoia has composed some memorable and creative material (in an outside the box sense). If into the bands debut The Reapers not to mention any of the styles presented (or combination therein) then make Between The Altar & The Cross a needed purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Trampled Under Feet” (5:57), “Between The Altar & The Cross” (5:24), “Sin Machine” (6:23), “Living With The Gods” (6:32), “Perpetual Paranoia” (6:19), “Though He Slays Me” (6:27), “There Will Be Blood” (6:50), “In Vain” (5:56), “My God My God” (5:35), “Church Of Make Believe” (5:57), “The Rhema” (4:54), “Acapella” (:59)
Musicians
Dale Thompson - Lead Vocals
Tiago De Souza - Guitars, Bass & Keyboards
Johnny Mazza - Drums
Additional Musicians
Les Carlsen, Chaz Bond & JT - Lead Vocals
Juninho Afram, Paul Jackson, Marco Okayama, Oz Fox, & Troy Thompson - Guitars
Hirion Jr. Metal Nobre - Keyboards
