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Looking at the cover of Persefone’s debut full length, Truth Inside The Shades, I suspected that I was either in for a Gothic metal band, or an Opeth clone. The truth turns out to be the latter, but don’t dismiss this band as a mere clone just yet. Yes, Persefone are playing in the same, somewhat indefinable genre as Opeth, but they manage to stake out their own identity.
Throughout the album, melodic death/black metal is liberally sprinkled with acoustical passages (guitar and piano), clean vocals, and heavy keyboard work. Persefone manages to incorporate these disparate elements into well-written songs that hold your attention. In addition, the musicianship and production are excellent. The heavier portions of the album feature some raspy black metal vocals, deep growls from death metal, and a few fast passages. At times, the focus on keyboards reminds one of not just progressive metal such as Dream Theater, but goes all the way back to the giants of 1970s arena rock such as Yes and Genesis. These different elements work very well.
From Andorra (Basque? France?), Persefone was formed in 2001 and the debut has been released on France’s Adipocere Records. The CD’s layout and artwork are excellent. Given the obvious talent of this band, I can easily see them challenging Opeth for the throne of this genre. Expect great things from this band on future releases. Highly recommended.
| Tracklist |
| 1. An Unwithered Shrine (Prologue) |
| 2. The Whisper Of Men |
| 3. Truth Inside The Shades |
| 4. Nifelheim (The Eyes That Hold The Edge) |
| 5. Atemporal Divinity |
| 6. The Demise Of Oblivion |
| - Part I: At The Boundaries Of The Perpetuity |
| - Part II: The Last Wish Of A Tear |
| In Silence (Epilogue) |
: 43.40
| Buy other Persefone albums |
