EP REVIEW: To Suffer – Perpetua

Scotland is throwing down the gauntlet to the metal world as of late, with the likes of BLEED FROM WITHIN featuring on many an album of the year list. Hoping to follow in their footsteps is Edinburgh groove metal outfit PERPETUA who have recently unleashed their four track EP entitled To Suffer which is available via self-release. Will this release show everyone exactly why they were voted Best Metal Act at the 2016 edition of the Scottish Alternative Music Awards?

Intentions are made immediately clear with opening title track To Suffer. PERPETUA aren’t here to pussyfoot around with long winded intro’s, they’re here to capture you in their web of groove ridden riffs and snappy drumming. The production is razor sharp and adds a clinical edge to the intense blasts of sinister sounding instrumentation. This track proves to be quite the curve ball as one moment you are being bombarded by vicious bellows and the next you’re treated to the sublime bluesy solo work of lead guitarist Kieran Johnston. Following track Corrupt ups the tempo with frenetic shredding and some blast beats thrown in for good measure. The track harnesses the raw energy of LAMB OF GOD as powerfully potent shredding and neck snapping groove provide the perfect combination. The introduction of a subdued segment midway through the track helps to build the tension before diving straight into further hammer blows, thunderous bass lines and a fret blazing solo as the exclamation point.

Left Desolate incorporates intriguing melodies into the mix. Whilst not as frantic it is just as effective, displaying what a multi-faceted pallette PERPETUA have to offer. The gritty vocals give off a strong WHILE SHE SLEEPS vibe as the energy flows throughout. This track may be more restrained in pace but the dark, twisted riffs are still ever present. Towards the closing stages everything descends into madness as visions of multiple circle pits engulf your senses. State Of Torment kicks into gear with elaborate guitar work and pounding drum work before introducing some of the most ludicrously addictive riffing this year has encountered. If you need a track to slot into your gym playlist for that instant adrenaline rush this is the one for you. The anticipation builds before you are completely sneak attacked by another mind bending stream of virtuosity. The track winds down with one final march of robust, steady riffing.

It has taken a lot of perseverance and determination for PERPETUA to reach this stage but the final product is more than worth the wait. To Suffer is a condensed blast of high energy, no frills metal littered with intoxicating riffing that leaves you gasping for more. It will be intriguing to see whether they can maintain this level of intensity over the course of a full length album release but for now bask in the glow of one of the UK’s hot prospects.

Rating: 8/10

To Suffer is out now via self-release.

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