Review by Alex on November 11, 2020.

Romanian "Ice Metal" band Persekutor has released their debut full length album Permanent Winter that does a great job of merging black metal with punk and heavy metal. This is one of the more memorable releases within the sub genre that utilizes the punk metal essence in their musical temple to satisfactory effect while adding other facets of other genres.

I'm not familiar with many Romanian metal bands, and the few I know are secrets I keep close so there will be no telling here. However; at least I've introduced you to Persekutor, that I know you will treasure once you've had a listen of Permanent Winter. This will keep you "up all night"; these guys can play a tune with some good bang and they also have some cool lyrics going in the tunes. Yea according to them "it's just rock n' roll" so don't get your panties in a twist.

Permanent Winter came at the right time, just when I was looking for some punk fused heavy metal that didn't sound dated, I found Persekutor. Was sceptical at first given the wave of bands coming out with new wave metal and what not but it was their music video that was shot for the single 'Black Death Punk Skins' that was confirmation of something I might be interested in. And after countless spins I honestly say that Permanent Winter is one of the best heavy/black/punk metal albums of 2020.

All the songs are great, and they only get better with each new playthrough of the album. 'Babylon of the Snows' is perhaps the weakest song on the album but even that has its moments; but following that the lads really start to show out big time with 'Can You Feel the Frost of Dawn' and 'Winter's Meat'. It's not just your average picking and beat pacing, these guys know how to write some good tunes. They've got the ear for this kind of thing especially when you take a listen at how well they convert the basic structure of 'Can You Feel the Frost Of Dawn' into something really telling of their efforts. It's here the band stands out, each song seems to speak its own tongue, you'll never feel like it's static on repeat. Also they really know how to use the guitars and melody to their advantage especially on my favorites off Permanent Winter being 'Chained To the Tundra' (that drags the heavy metal down to some rocking mid-tempo), 'Black Death Punk Skins' (that features the catchiest rhythm and verses) and 'Arctic Cross' (that gives off some real old school doom metal vibes).

Persekutor is just an amazing band I tell you, their solos are sweet all the while fucking mean, their black metal undertone merged with the spiky punk metal fist pumps on the faster tracks and the traditional heavy metal song structures they got pinned down under their stalagmite frozen lyrics just makes for an even more enjoyable listen. Just a great record with an impending and intimidating sense of danger lingering on every note. This is what you want from a band claiming to play heavy/black/punk metal. Great riffs, solos, fantastic vocals and overall memorable tunes you and the guys can get wasted to. This is one 'Ice War' you won't forget anytime soon, it'll freeze your nuts dead cold.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by Alex on May 2, 2018.

Stillborn’s Crave For Killing is hate-filled black/death metal that sounds highly influenced by 1st wave black metal and old school death metal. There is some likeness to Bathory’s 1984 self-titled album (production wise) and also can be slightly compared to early Morbid Angel (Covenant era) in the vocal department. Stillborn’s Crave for Killing features frantic guitar solos, quick blast beats mixed with death metal vocals and sharp black metal barks backed up by a simple production, that is in no way detrimental to the album. Not that I would really care given the fact black/death metal has never been synonymous with anything approachable, particularly sound-wise. 

Songs like "Crave For Killing” display the vicious underbelly of what Stillborn is capable of unleashing. With vocals sounding like scornful snarls matched with a murderous maiming of the drum kit, the listener gets the message clearly that this bunch of misanthropes really hate the right-hand path religions and their followers. 

The guitar work sounds like a pack of wild animals had been set free in some suburban area of the world. The riffs roll across the record reeking unapologetic havoc in its unholy conquest. The bass is very low in the mix but provides enough force to add a heavier layer to the tin sounding snare drum. One can even compare the sound of the drum kit and even the overall sound of the album to ‘At the Announcement’ and ‘The Communion’ which was released by Chile’s Communion in August of 2017. 

The final track "Staroświeckość we mnie jest" is the totality of damage the way Stillborn understands it. It pours out the last molecules of unfiltered repugnance during its 6-minute assault on the holy. Should I have to pick any favorite tracks on the album I would select and recommend ‘Crave for Killing’, ‘To Be’ and 'Staroświeckość we mnie jest' which perfectly represents and fuel the artwork.

There seems to be a reemergence of the 1st wave of black metal. More bands are beginning to return to the days of the elder goat, when black metal was simplistic, purposeful, exclusively underground and walked the straight left-hand path where concept and ideology are concerned. There has also been an influenza of the ancients circulating within the underground for quite awhile (not that it ever went away), but has certainly seen more prominence since vinyl sales have spiked and become “the thing” again.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10