Woaaaaahhhh!!!
Classical music and metal are often thrown together in, it seems, an unnecessary attempt to legitimise metal (not denigrate classical you understand). There are numerous examples of a convergence of spirit and structural and technical methodology between the forms down the years; some subtle some not so subtle (I'm looking at you Mr Malmsteen). However, at the moment heavy music as a whole is seemingly engaged in arms race of brutality and disgust. Canadian quintet Perpetuate stand out by embracing melody and yes, classical/symphonic elements in their music. Fitting into the lineage of bands like Lacuna Coil and Nightwish, Perpetuate combine old school heavy metal sounds with grandiose female vocals courtesy of Kim McInnis and the six songs on this disc are largely successful.
The band employs plenty of asymmetric galloping rhythms, shredding lead guitar and a dash of the epic to crank up the musical accompaniment to meet McInnis' operatic vocals head on. This is most successful on the high tempo opener 'Above and Beyond' and the equally fast paced 'The Last Stand'. The band endeavours to mix up the moods ploughing a slower more atmospheric furrow on the brooding 'Medusa'. And 'Chrysalis' aside, gauche keyboards are thankfully used sparingly stopping Perpetuate from sounding too over the top and lightweight. The biggest obstacle for Perpetuate at this early stage of their career is putting their own stamp on this genre and the inclusion of a faithful cover of Maiden's 'The Trooper' shows that they are still paying their dues and forming their identity.
On reflection there's nothing truly special here and Perpetuate are quite blunt in their alchemy of heavy metal and classical music following firmly in the footsteps of others. Nonetheless, the record is accomplished, varied and spirited and makes a welcome change from the usual testosterone ravaged race to the moshpit style of much modern metal. One to keep an eye on.