Review by JD on January 30, 2010.

The Netherlands group Persistense has been on the metallic march since 2000, and they have had a lot of acclaim by what I have read. Calling their own style of metal at one time ‘Swingthrash’, the band was known for original yet very heavy music... now with the release of full album number one, the band is poised to take over the metal landscape.

Powered by a need to be making seismically heavy but well written metal, Persistense has come forth with a album that can be only described as almost unbridled chaos with this overtone of pure technical havoc. Everything from Thrash, Extreme, Power Metal to even having the Classic Metal elements all come together within this extraordinary five piece - and develops into what could be called illustrious in both form and raw explosiveness

Nine songs populate their first full length offering, called "In Blood And Heart" to make you assured that there are people out in the world making sure metal in no ways has become dull and predictable. Unyielding and relentless, Persistense takes what they know musically and makes sure that is equally heavy and ass kicking brutal in it attack, all the while making sure that the intelligence they have as a group is never compromised.

This band really does have all of the makings and talent to be a amazing force in metal, or even in music in general. Truly Persistense is a indomitable band that has stepped out of the shadows and is in the forefront, truly orchestrating a new genesis in what metal can be.

Categorical Rating Breakdown　

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 9
Originality: 9.5
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Review by George Stiglic on November 11, 2024.

The Greek metal scene stands out due to its unique sound, which is hard to mistake for anything else. Primal Cult's album Perennial Fire left a strong impression on me from the first listen. The opening track, 'War, Father,' immediately sets the tone for what awaits the listener—mid-tempo, epic, and high-quality material. There’s a clear influence from Rotting Christ, especially in the melodies and epic sections. This Hellenic melodicism is presented here in its finest form, sure to appeal to fans of Greek metal.

According to information on Metal Archives, the main songwriter is a female guitarist named Alchemy, and I must say the quality of her compositions is very high. I’m rather picky; my main criteria for judging music are its listenability and memorability. This album meets those standards well, grabbing attention from the first seconds. The final solo in 'War, Father' could even become one of my favorite melodic solos in extreme metal, alongside 'December Flower' by In Flames and 'Revelation 666' by Necrophobic. The solo is something special, with its guitar parts beautifully interwoven with the rhythm guitar. Bravo! The album also has relatively fast-paced moments; for instance, the opening riff in 'The Chthonic' is dynamic, played with palm muting, showcasing impressive technique. But the band’s real strength, in my view, lies in their black metal-style melodic tremolo riffs, with certain notes that truly hit the soul. Occasionally, keyboards appear in the music—choirs or orchestral elements—but they don’t play a dominant role, instead enhancing the epic moments. Everything is done organically, fitting perfectly into place.

If I had to critique anything, it would be the vocal style. Personally, I feel that this type of singing, performed with true vocal cords, while it adds a dramatic layer to the music, doesn’t quite suit my taste. I would have preferred something closer to Sakis Tolis’s vocal style. But I wouldn’t call this a major drawback—it's more a matter of preference. I recommend this album to all fans of the Greek scene and, in fact, to anyone who appreciates quality metal!

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Kostas on November 11, 2024.

I always loved seeing new bands forming and releasing innovative and groundbreaking music. Apparently, Primal Cult managed to do even more than that. I am talking about the band's first full-length, Perennial Fire. An album that proved that I was more than right to have high expectations after seeing the band live and listening to their EP.

The album gives you an idea of what the music is going to sound like from the very first second since there are no introductions. What there is instead is the great melodic rift of 'War, Father'. Fortunately, this is going to be followed by numerous other rifts which are just as good, if not better. Melodic, dark, and atmospheric, they bear the spirit of the Hellenic black metal scene deep inside. There are great solos, as well, but under no circumstances will they brutalize you or make you want to enter a pit. They are slow, for the most part, and sinister. I would say, in addition, that they totally match the howling voice, which manages to invoke a feeling of forgotten awe and glory. All in all, a really good job has been done with the guitars and vocals.

One thing I have to mention is the use of keyboards. Played the right way, their calm yet epic melodies manage to take the music to the next level. To be accurate, alongside the aforementioned original catchy rifts, they are the key to the unparalleled aura Primal Cult conveys. Some kind of haunting musical mastery, which is also the outcome of amazing bass lines and drumming. What caught me by surprise is how this band managed to release such a good album so early in their hopefully large discography. I even caught myself trying to find a bad element or something, but still, I was only able to spot some minor unneeded repetitions. Even the lyrics are very well-written and clever. Thumbs up.

In conclusion, Perennial Fire is an outstanding album even for people whose cup of tea is not black metal. There is an epic feeling to it, as well as classic heavy metal influences. In addition, this album is an example of how a band can be original even if they don't necessarily play a new genre. Plus, it has a great cover artwork. Primal Cult have now made me curious to see if they'll be able to overcome this modern masterpiece.

Rating: 9.3 out of 10