I’m not as kvlt as I used to be, and frankly I’m pretty alright with that. Music on a personal level is an evolution, sometimes we only care about what is ‘real’ and ‘trve’ and other times we don’t care and just want to listen to dumb dance music. Anyway, to me Heavy Metal is like the Pop of the Meal world (please don’t hurt me). By which I mean it’s always the most catchy and fun, it’s my default music for a festival or hot summers day. So, what happens when that hot summers day becomes engulfed in nuclear winter? Well, Persekutor happens.
In a story rife with the power of Metal Persekutor was formed by Heavy Metal maniac Vladislav Bârladeanu in Transylvania (kvlt). He then took a trip to Los Angeles in 2015 where he was introduced to Chris Valez. This all prompted a move in 2018 by Vlad and the unholy consecration of the full band known as Persekutor. Now signed to Svart Records this underground legion seek to take no prisoners with their debut album Permanent Winter!
Giving us some good thick riffs is the opening song Babylon Of The Snows. The song is super catchy, kvlt and Metal, I love the Punk attitude and instant draw into the music. Continuing with similar Midnight / Venom vibes Can You Feel The Frost Of Dawn gives us classic Heavy Metal hooks along with Blackened vocals full of legibility, like a Black Metal Nekrofilth. Memorability is this frostbitten bands game and by god do they pull it off with gusto! Winter’s Meat and Chained To The Tundra give us more ear worms, you can almost feel the spiked wristbands and Corpsepaint growing from your skin as you listen.
One could be pretty cynical and say that there are a ton of bands out there doing this kind of thing. However, it’s real good fun, it gives Black Metal that Heavy Metal quality of powerful riffs and exceptional song-writing. Arctic Cross is a perfect example of this Punk laden Heavy Metal aggression, striking stuff. One that is sure to get you holding your battle-axe high is Ice Wars, some of the most classic riffs are to be found on this song, not to mention the solo which is a nice addition. The title track is sure to be something that many Black Metal fans wish for, Permanent Winter. Whilst this might not be a reality it’s safe to say that you’ll have the song permanently stuck in your brain for the upcoming winter season. I honestly can’t get enough of these hip swaying riffs, Frostquake gives us more of this NWOBHM vibe and I’m totally into it. The conclusion comes in the aptly named Black Death Punk Skins, a total summary of Persekutor’s ethos, full of trve ideology and Manowar-like lyrics, I’m all for it, especially with that Blackened edge.
I have to say I’m pretty damn impressed by this record. For a debut it’s exceptionally strong and I’m very eager to see what comes in the future. I feel like the aggression could be upped a little bit. I mean look at the aforementioned Nekrofilth and Midnight, these bands have the catchy notions but also an added punch. That said this might all come in time and for now I’m into Permanent Winter and can see what Persekutor are doing. It’s exciting and different enough to make them a stand alone band.
(8/10 George Caley)
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