PERENNIAL ISOLATION
Portraits
NON SERVIAM
Barcelona’s atmospheric black metallers embrace the fall
Perennial Isolation is a fitting moniker for these asphyxiating times. The Catalans’ fourth album is a tribute to “the border area between autumn and winter”. Opener The Fall Awakening’s wash of synth explodes into Autumn Legacy Underlying The Cold’s Caress’s initial breathtakingly fast percussion, before atmospheric riffs cast a veil of icy mist as the musical terrain ever shifts. This continues on The Breathless Season Bane, as riffs and percussive rhythms converge and diverge while swept along in the freezing deluge. Unceasing Sorrows From The Vastness’ Scion slows the pace, allow uplifting leads and reverb-heavy textures to flourish as they course over the skittish drums. Portraits aches with sorrow in that beautiful, exhilarating way that atmospheric black metal is capable of, embarking on an accessible and captivating journey – both musically and emotionally.