ALBUM REVIEW: Of Pearls & Perils – Frozen Factory

From Helsinki, Finland comes progressive rock band FROZEN FACTORY, a band that are unafraid of blending different styles, melodies and sounds in a way that is jaw dropping in the most brilliant way. What we have here is their second full-length Of Pearls & Perils, a record that explores the issues and problems that humanity has brought upon themselves, and perhaps serves as a warning of what is yet to come.

The best way to describe this experience is that this is a concept album, a story about a dystopian world where the protagonist decides “no more!” and undergoes a journey to change the world and fight the system. In fact, you can’t help but picture this as a dramatic rock opera. Of Pearls & Perils‘ opening track, Murder In The Depths starts with alarms and distorted voices, before soft piano and guitar come in; it’s gentle at first but then it gets louder before the epic vocals kick in. And so begins our character’s journey. 

In terms of what we experience from there is a mash-up of tracks ranging from the empowering Equalise, the intergalactic and dramatic Never Is A Theory, and the grungy The Depths Of Hell which also features what almost sounds like a demonic presence (listen to it, you’ll understand what we mean). Furthermore, there are songs that depict certain scenes like a gathering around the campfire with Pie In The Sky, complete with crickets and a folksy guitar, and a live performance in We’re Gonna Die featuring audience cheers.

It’s interesting and campy but brilliant. It all comes full circle with the final track Deceit Upon The Deck, where we’re back in the dystopian scene in which we’re left to ponder about what we’ve learnt in the past hour. The final lyrics beautifully sum it up: “And they’ve told you they’re one and the same / And it’s not your place to question their game / Please, think again” – it’s enough to have us on our feet and clapping. Amazing, beautiful stuff.

This album offers songs about life, songs about carrying through hardship and songs about doing what’s right by your heart. Seriously, FROZEN FACTORY, please make this into a theatre production, a film, anything. We need a full visual experience to go with these amazing tracks.

Rating: 9/10

Of Pearls And Perils is out now via self-release.

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