This is Persistense’s first full album release after 10 years, during which time the band from Holland has been active on the live scene. This all fitted together when I heard “In Blood and Heart” as the Death, sometimes Thrash style, brought in mind the metal which was commonplace a few years back and the output was clearly from a group of experienced musicians.
“In Blood and Heart” has melody and some really hooky and energetic riffs on tracks like “Overcome” but I wouldn’t describe it as an easy listen. At times, it is fast and furious. “Further” and “Infinite Madness” have the pace and excitement to suit a live environment. It’s easy to imagine a sweating mosh pit while listening to these tracks. Although this album is exciting in places, it’s also very harsh. A lot of this comes from the vocalist Stefan van Vugt, who sounds like he’s spent many an hour in smoky concert halls. Above all though, the difficulty lies in the complex and ever-transforming instrumental arrangements. The final track “Sick world” sums it up. It stops and starts, twists and turns and generally goes round in recognisable patters. In the case of this track, it’s more thrashy. On the track ”Doomsday” the meandering riff finds itself in the context of an old-fashioned Death Metal number. By and large the brutal side wins over the melodic element. It’s quite technical, and never stays still for long. By the same token, whilst I appreciated the varying energy and myriad of styles, I found it hard to get close to it.
Taking the individual parts of “In Blood and Heart” it all operates to a tried and tested formula. Persistence succeed in mixing occasional melody and energy with technicality, and creating a series of complex and brutal patterns. It isn’t the easiest album to get to know, but it’s worth the effort.
http://www.persistense.nl
http://www.myspace.com/persistensemetal
http://www.deitydownrecords.com
