| Musical Style: Thrash/Heavy Metal | Produced By: Taigo James |
| Record Label: Retroactive | Country Of Origin: New Zealand & Brazil |
| Year Released: 2021 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 58:04 |
Like its Retroactive Records predecessors The Reapers and Between The Altar & the Cross from 2018 and 2019, respectively, March of 2021 third Perpetual Paranoia album Hell Fest (also Retroactive) draws heavily upon the straightforward metal and thrash segments. It also finds Perpetual Paranoia remaining true to its multinational ways in representing a partnership between New Zealand based vocalist Dale Thompson (Bride, The World Will Burn) and Brazilian guitarist Taigo James (Hand Of Fire). In terms of the former, Thompson’s clean but raspy vocal style imbues a melodic flair to the Perpetual Paranoia sound and allows it to sidestep any repetitive misgivings that can hold back the thrash segment (at least to these ears). From standpoint of latter, the aggressive tendencies of James imparts the thrash aspect but not without also allowing some doom and extreme signatures.
In my opinion Hell Fest is the most consistently heavy Perpetual Paranoia release or at the very least places the greater emphasis on the thrash facet in downplaying (even if slightly) some of the previous melodic elements, albeit not to the point of overbearing. That said, if I accordingly suggest Hell Fest might be the least accessible Perpetual Paranoia album then please accept as neutral observation and not critique when factoring how the groups ‘technical thrash roots’ (as noted in previous reviews) remain a priority. Point being if you appreciate The Reapers and Between The Altar & The Cross you will not be disappointed with Hell Fest in that Thompson and James uphold the same winning formula.
Opener “The Martyr” shines as classic Perpetual Paranoia. Song aggressively mingles combative rhythm guitars with relentless vocals - some floating beneath the surface and others forwardly brash - in making a near extreme statement. James’ extended soloing lends to the impertinent mood. Lyric snippet:
Burn me at the stake or torture me to death
You can take all my money, my treasure is not of this earth
You can bruise me, abuse me, humiliate me
And use me for whatever it’s worth
You can cast me into prison, curse me to my face
Throw me into a lions cage
I will bow to no man
I will suffer for my Christ
The Martyr
“Is Death Coming For Me?” storms from the get go to double kick drum and harsh growls in not backing from the chugging mentality its span. Whereas somewhat slower than “The Martyr”, it also upholds the lighter progressive slant with some start and stop time signatures, particularly from the instrumental standpoint. It is also worth noting the falsettos from Thompson at the end- it is good to hear he still upholds such bold range.
“Evil Eye” begins to open air guitar soon joined by melodic bass and distant acoustic facets. Song impresses as foreboding moving ahead, touching upon doom-like intricacies with its curtly woven assaults and harsh vocal tincturing, but at a moments notice takes a bluesy tone as acoustic guitar reappears. Impetus picks up for the blinding instrumental moments. Lyric snippet:
In the midnight moments, the clock don’t move
Evil eye, you can’t avoid fate
Evil eye, destiny awaits
Evil eye has its sights on you
In the midnight moments, the clock don’t move
At the crossroads, stands Calvary
Only One thing going to set you free
Every bit bone crushing, “Meet My Maker” further elevates the doom like with its plodding mid-paced demeanor but also introduces light repetition, as revealed in a refrain repeated a bit much for my taste. That said, I appreciate the pummeling drums and eerie passage over the final minute slowing to a standstill as church organ holds sway.
Albums title track breaks down into two parts. First represents a cacophony of offbeat and at times unpredictable time signatures ranging from slowly moving modern guitars to double bass power metal laced. Second further ups momentum as mostly instrumental to highlight generous stretches of James’ intense soloing. “Hell Fest” is not for the faint of heart. Lyric snippet:
There is One who wears the crown
There is One who sits on the thrown
There is One who rules and reigns- Jesus be thy name
A man possessed give up on the rest
His heart finds no rest
Hard to be your best when you have nothing left
Remember you are blessed, not like all the rest, be blessed
Jesus heart the sins you have confessed.
“Past You Left Behind” opens to rolling drumbeats and a harsh screen from Thompson before taking off in brusque fashion. Song elevates the thrash focus but also some heavy handedness, you will encounter an extreme feel at times, in yielding some of albums most trenchant moments. I tend to pass in that the full on aggressive goes over my head.
Not so “I Talk To The Dead” with its pulverizing layering. Expect plenty of variety here, with robotic rhythms interspersed between open-air guitars and overwhelming low end. Off-kilter keyboards, at times with a classical feel, join the fray as do blood curdling screams and explosions of angst-laden fury. Outlandish guitar pyrotechnics tops things off. Lyric snippet:
The sincerity is genuine to move past the flesh and blood
And to win over the principalities and powers with love
Dreaming their lives away
I can’t grow weary
I can’t shut my eyes until those who are lost and found revived
In the valley of tears one hardly weeps
There is no room for such emotion
No place for sorrow, pity or grief
Just a river of salt anticipating death
“Come To Life” rates with my albums favorites from its melodic vestiges. Song proves upbeat from the get go, with ominous open-air guitar to start ensued by a brief excursion into plodding territory in gradually gaining force over its first of minutes. Halfway in and things take a melodic turn, as one of Perpetual Paranoia’s most engaging refrains takes a hold in leading to the harmony driven instrumental moments.
“Win Or Lose” is brutal and remorseless as it gets. It begins to off kilter keyboards ahead of taking a power metal slant with its double kick drum laced with harsher elements moving ahead. Vocals take an interesting spoken word stance - almost rapid fire in places - in further building upon the chaotic scene. Speaking of which, lead guitar could not be more out of control (in a positive sense). Lyric snippet:
I am worth and weathered
Jesus help me get my life together
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God
Their world is full of curiosities
Raindrops in the land of regret
It is time to shake off the veracity of my sins
Some do not care if they win or lose
Spewing profanities at the God of all creation and His Holy Son
“Love Death Madness” represents this reviewer’s choice track. I appreciate the songs symphonic flair, reflective of the airy keyboards to decorate the backend and buoyant melody to dance its distance, albeit Perpetual Paranoia does not back from its defined heaviness. A dignified if not regal statement (noting the female choir vocals) touching upon a progressive element manifests in the process.
‘Outro’ piece “La Porte De I ‘nfer” closes the album to offbeat sound effects and muffled vocals its minute and half distance.
I rate Hell Fest alongside preceding Perpetual Paranoia releases, keeping in mind it is a bit more aggressively thrash focused in comparison while correspondingly mirroring a somewhat less melodic feel in places. As a result, It took several listens for it to grow on me, but it separates with some outstanding material nonetheless, noting choice tracks “Come To Life”, “Hell Fest” and “Love Death Madness”. That said there is some repetition that forces me to hit the skip button a couple times as well. Still, as another solid effort from Perpetual Paranoia, Hell Fest represents a priority purchase for those that enjoy The Reapers and Between The Altar & The Cross (or any creative melding of metal and thrash).
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “the Martyr” (6:10), “Is Death Coming For Me?” (5:32), “Evil Eye” (5:24), “Meet My Maker” (5:09), “Hell Fest” (5:31), “Past You Left Behind” (6:24), “I Talk To The Dead” (5:23), “Come To Life” (6:10), “Win Or Lose” (5:31), “Love Death Madness” (5:29), “La Porte De I ‘nfer” (1:19)
Musicians
Dale Thompson - Lead Vocals
Taigo James - Guitars, Keyboards & Bass
Additional Musicians
Michelle Braglia Rodovalho - Lead Vocals
Carlos Osnaya - Guitars
Joe Moghrab - Guitars
Derek Dorneles - Drums
