ALBUM REVIEW: metanoia – Persefone

When it comes to legendary prog metal, PERSEFONE have long since held a seat at the table. The Andorrans have spent the last twenty years hand-crafting some of the finest work in the genre and have just unveiled their latest opus, metanoia. It will mark the sixth release in their formidable repertoire – the latest since 2017’s Aathma – and sees them portray their prolific formula of intense and precise modern metal. metanoia sees them continue their established roots, concocting a potent blend of tech death and progressive metal into a frenzied smorgasbord of metallic chaos.

It begins by lending the opening track to the services of LEPROUS‘ Einar Solberg who offers a considered and typically powerful vocal performance above sweeping strings before jagged synths allow the track to plough straight into Katabasis where things get considerably heavier. Riffs begin to tumble and piercing screams ravage the track. However, subtlety holds hands with the carnage, allowing the heavy moments to bite harder while keeping a real air of melody and serenity. We are whisked along for a ride that PERSEFONE want us to embark on, whether we like it or not.

And just like that Architecture Of The I is upon us, standing tall and technical as the band display their instrumental wizardry before sliding into another blistering tech death onslaught. The notes tumble at warp speed, and intricate fills spill from the drums like precious gems. The pace increases as we are led into Leap Of Faith which begins with a ghostly piano melody that seeps deep into the track’s roots before building a crescendo of strings and metallic elements. PERSEFONE are keen to show us they are so much more than just purveyors of heaviness, they can turn on the melancholy when they want to as well.

As they continue to prove in Aware Of Being Watched. There are certain ‘TESSERACTisms’ to be taken from this track. Choppy drum patterns flicker impossibly through the opening stages and launch us into more prog wizardry and we ultimately embark on a seven minute voyage throughout which the dynamic constantly shifts from the prolific to the painfully intricate. Merkabah offers more of the same. Uber technical, genre defining riffs and a volley of lethal drums. Consciousness (Pt.3) is quite simply prog heaven. Acting as a sequel to parts 1 and 2 from their seminal album Spiritual Migration, it begins with dancing guitar patterns and takes us on an eleven minute journey of jaw dropping genius.

This leaves us with the expansive trilogy named Anabasis, parts 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The triad of tracks opens with cello and the sound of a crackling fire before growing in stature and eventually bursting into another prog metal blender. Harrowed screams wage war with soothing harmonics, prolific tech death riffs and eventually an orchestral outro as we are led to the album’s magnificent conclusion. PERSEFONE are masters, and metanoia sees them crafting some of their best work. It’s impossible not to be impressed with the magnitude of this album, and it’s sure to be among the year’s favourites for many.

Rating: 9/10

metanoia is out now via Napalm Records.

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