Review by George on July 9, 2020.

Valtari was brought to my attention a few weeks ago by someone claiming his newest album to be "a mix of old Dissection and Amorphis". Any band which cites those two as their influences is an offer I simply can't refuse, and so I was immediately inclined to give it a listen.

Truth is, while Dissection and Amorphis certainly do play a role in the melodic package the band offers, I'd much sooner liken it to several other derivative third-wave bands, the Brymirs, Nothgards and Aetherians of the melodeath underground. Valtari fit quite neatly within the box of conventional melodeath, which can be taken positively or negatively. The guitars do all the talking, so there's no shoehorning in of clean vocals or gimmicky folk instruments, but at the same time you won't find the tastefully crafted atmosphere seen in Duskmourn and Shylmagoghnar's works, nor, indeed, the clean and befitting inclusion of folk instruments and clean vocals in, for example, later Amorphis.

That's all the things Origin Enigma is not. What it is can be summarized as such: it's mid-paced melodeath that churns through melodies like a well-oiled machine. The riffs are good - melodic, euphonic guitar lines supported by very typical mid-range vocals and drumming with the occasional guitar solo, quieter section or keyboard line thrown in for good measure. At 40 minutes long the album goes by in a whirl of harmony, and this is one thing I feel he got right; any shorter and it would scarcely be worth listening to at all, and any longer would make it drag on and become a chore. But for a fun, light-hearted listen, the length is perfect.

But while catchy and fun are both accurate descriptions of the music, a key complaint I have is the lack of staying power - it's just melodic death metal. Good melodic death metal sure, but if you asked me to name one thing that sets these guys apart from all the bands I previously mentioned, I really would not be able to. The guitarwork is both technically skilled and well-composed, but not one melody from the whole album stuck with me after I finished listening.

Origin Enigma an album for the melodeath fans who know what they like and like what they know, making up for what it lacks in innovation with consistent vivacity. If that was what the project's mastermind intended to be, then he has succeeded.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Review by Alex on November 11, 2020.

Romanian "Ice Metal" band Persekutor has released their debut full length album Permanent Winter that does a great job of merging black metal with punk and heavy metal. This is one of the more memorable releases within the sub genre that utilizes the punk metal essence in their musical temple to satisfactory effect while adding other facets of other genres.

I'm not familiar with many Romanian metal bands, and the few I know are secrets I keep close so there will be no telling here. However; at least I've introduced you to Persekutor, that I know you will treasure once you've had a listen of Permanent Winter. This will keep you "up all night"; these guys can play a tune with some good bang and they also have some cool lyrics going in the tunes. Yea according to them "it's just rock n' roll" so don't get your panties in a twist.

Permanent Winter came at the right time, just when I was looking for some punk fused heavy metal that didn't sound dated, I found Persekutor. Was sceptical at first given the wave of bands coming out with new wave metal and what not but it was their music video that was shot for the single 'Black Death Punk Skins' that was confirmation of something I might be interested in. And after countless spins I honestly say that Permanent Winter is one of the best heavy/black/punk metal albums of 2020.

All the songs are great, and they only get better with each new playthrough of the album. 'Babylon of the Snows' is perhaps the weakest song on the album but even that has its moments; but following that the lads really start to show out big time with 'Can You Feel the Frost of Dawn' and 'Winter's Meat'. It's not just your average picking and beat pacing, these guys know how to write some good tunes. They've got the ear for this kind of thing especially when you take a listen at how well they convert the basic structure of 'Can You Feel the Frost Of Dawn' into something really telling of their efforts. It's here the band stands out, each song seems to speak its own tongue, you'll never feel like it's static on repeat. Also they really know how to use the guitars and melody to their advantage especially on my favorites off Permanent Winter being 'Chained To the Tundra' (that drags the heavy metal down to some rocking mid-tempo), 'Black Death Punk Skins' (that features the catchiest rhythm and verses) and 'Arctic Cross' (that gives off some real old school doom metal vibes).

Persekutor is just an amazing band I tell you, their solos are sweet all the while fucking mean, their black metal undertone merged with the spiky punk metal fist pumps on the faster tracks and the traditional heavy metal song structures they got pinned down under their stalagmite frozen lyrics just makes for an even more enjoyable listen. Just a great record with an impending and intimidating sense of danger lingering on every note. This is what you want from a band claiming to play heavy/black/punk metal. Great riffs, solos, fantastic vocals and overall memorable tunes you and the guys can get wasted to. This is one 'Ice War' you won't forget anytime soon, it'll freeze your nuts dead cold.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by Alex on November 11, 2020.

Romanian "Ice Metal" band Persekutor has released their debut full length album Permanent Winter that does a great job of merging black metal with punk and heavy metal. This is one of the more memorable releases within the sub genre that utilizes the punk metal essence in their musical temple to satisfactory effect while adding other facets of other genres.

I'm not familiar with many Romanian metal bands, and the few I know are secrets I keep close so there will be no telling here. However; at least I've introduced you to Persekutor, that I know you will treasure once you've had a listen of Permanent Winter. This will keep you "up all night"; these guys can play a tune with some good bang and they also have some cool lyrics going in the tunes. Yea according to them "it's just rock n' roll" so don't get your panties in a twist.

Permanent Winter came at the right time, just when I was looking for some punk fused heavy metal that didn't sound dated, I found Persekutor. Was sceptical at first given the wave of bands coming out with new wave metal and what not but it was their music video that was shot for the single 'Black Death Punk Skins' that was confirmation of something I might be interested in. And after countless spins I honestly say that Permanent Winter is one of the best heavy/black/punk metal albums of 2020.

All the songs are great, and they only get better with each new playthrough of the album. 'Babylon of the Snows' is perhaps the weakest song on the album but even that has its moments; but following that the lads really start to show out big time with 'Can You Feel the Frost of Dawn' and 'Winter's Meat'. It's not just your average picking and beat pacing, these guys know how to write some good tunes. They've got the ear for this kind of thing especially when you take a listen at how well they convert the basic structure of 'Can You Feel the Frost Of Dawn' into something really telling of their efforts. It's here the band stands out, each song seems to speak its own tongue, you'll never feel like it's static on repeat. Also they really know how to use the guitars and melody to their advantage especially on my favorites off Permanent Winter being 'Chained To the Tundra' (that drags the heavy metal down to some rocking mid-tempo), 'Black Death Punk Skins' (that features the catchiest rhythm and verses) and 'Arctic Cross' (that gives off some real old school doom metal vibes).

Persekutor is just an amazing band I tell you, their solos are sweet all the while fucking mean, their black metal undertone merged with the spiky punk metal fist pumps on the faster tracks and the traditional heavy metal song structures they got pinned down under their stalagmite frozen lyrics just makes for an even more enjoyable listen. Just a great record with an impending and intimidating sense of danger lingering on every note. This is what you want from a band claiming to play heavy/black/punk metal. Great riffs, solos, fantastic vocals and overall memorable tunes you and the guys can get wasted to. This is one 'Ice War' you won't forget anytime soon, it'll freeze your nuts dead cold.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by Alex on November 11, 2020.

Romanian "Ice Metal" band Persekutor has released their debut full length album Permanent Winter that does a great job of merging black metal with punk and heavy metal. This is one of the more memorable releases within the sub genre that utilizes the punk metal essence in their musical temple to satisfactory effect while adding other facets of other genres.

I'm not familiar with many Romanian metal bands, and the few I know are secrets I keep close so there will be no telling here. However; at least I've introduced you to Persekutor, that I know you will treasure once you've had a listen of Permanent Winter. This will keep you "up all night"; these guys can play a tune with some good bang and they also have some cool lyrics going in the tunes. Yea according to them "it's just rock n' roll" so don't get your panties in a twist.

Permanent Winter came at the right time, just when I was looking for some punk fused heavy metal that didn't sound dated, I found Persekutor. Was sceptical at first given the wave of bands coming out with new wave metal and what not but it was their music video that was shot for the single 'Black Death Punk Skins' that was confirmation of something I might be interested in. And after countless spins I honestly say that Permanent Winter is one of the best heavy/black/punk metal albums of 2020.

All the songs are great, and they only get better with each new playthrough of the album. 'Babylon of the Snows' is perhaps the weakest song on the album but even that has its moments; but following that the lads really start to show out big time with 'Can You Feel the Frost of Dawn' and 'Winter's Meat'. It's not just your average picking and beat pacing, these guys know how to write some good tunes. They've got the ear for this kind of thing especially when you take a listen at how well they convert the basic structure of 'Can You Feel the Frost Of Dawn' into something really telling of their efforts. It's here the band stands out, each song seems to speak its own tongue, you'll never feel like it's static on repeat. Also they really know how to use the guitars and melody to their advantage especially on my favorites off Permanent Winter being 'Chained To the Tundra' (that drags the heavy metal down to some rocking mid-tempo), 'Black Death Punk Skins' (that features the catchiest rhythm and verses) and 'Arctic Cross' (that gives off some real old school doom metal vibes).

Persekutor is just an amazing band I tell you, their solos are sweet all the while fucking mean, their black metal undertone merged with the spiky punk metal fist pumps on the faster tracks and the traditional heavy metal song structures they got pinned down under their stalagmite frozen lyrics just makes for an even more enjoyable listen. Just a great record with an impending and intimidating sense of danger lingering on every note. This is what you want from a band claiming to play heavy/black/punk metal. Great riffs, solos, fantastic vocals and overall memorable tunes you and the guys can get wasted to. This is one 'Ice War' you won't forget anytime soon, it'll freeze your nuts dead cold.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10