Review by Adam M on July 13, 2017.

Persefone performs progressive death metal that would make Cynic blush. There are all kinds of things going on with their music and it’s difficult to pay attention to all of them. The album opens with a subtle atmospheric flair before getting right into the main attraction of progressive death metal. This intro is very interesting and takes a while to become accustomed to. The actual death metal has a lot of progressive riffing that is very difficult to come to grips with.

The hardcore Cynic fan will feel right at home with these gyrations, however, and should take a good liking to the outfit. The band separates themselves by the more subtle elements of their music, however. It’s refreshing to hear a death metal album that has this much variety associated with it. In fact this album simply has a lot of stuff associated with it. This could lead to overindulgence and this is only slightly the case with Persefone, as they traverse the progressive stylings quite nicely. There is so much going on that it’s hard to completely come to terms with and this is the element that prevents this disc from being one of the highlights of the year in metal.   This band worships at the altar of Cynic and simultaneously shows itself to be more indulgent than Cynic, which is a huge draw with the music here. Fans of that band are likely to apply the most, while those looking for more tightly constructed death metal like the new Immolation may want to avoid this.

There is a lot to like, but it takes a lot of dedication to come to terms with the music here. Those looking for a challenge will find one for certain. Aathma is music for the progressive music lover and will apply to those listeners.

Rating: 7.6 out of 10

Review by Alex Grindor on March 20, 2021.

Seraph in Travail from Philadelphia, has recently released their third full-length, and it is marvelous from start to finish.

The album itself wastes no time with long intros and the like, immediately punching you in the face with 'Fixed and Dilated'.
The amount of variety in this record is worth numerous listens. Vocals that growl, shriek and sing clean melodies, changing between styles in a fraction of seconds, guitars that crush and pulverize while delivering beautiful licks and melodies all around, keyboards that intertwine with the guitars, yet they go on their own at moments where they are left alone to shine.
And the drums, dear me those drums... They are among the best drums I've heard in a very long time, with a ridiculous variety of patterns and techniques, going from maniacal frenzy to slow pummeling and everything in between. I commend Mike Shaw's performance, truly a highlight of this whole album.

The rest of the band is not left behind though. J. Sutherland is an amazing vocalist in its own right. Piercing shrieks
and demonic growls are delivered on par throughout the album, with even some clean vocals that either accompany these extreme deliveries or go on their own. Victoria Ebana provides additional vocals, adding even more variety to this already great experience. Dan Shegue's guitarwork is exceptional as well; crushing slow riffs mixed with fast tremolo-picked riffage and melodic solos thrown everywhere possible, with additional guitarwork delivered by Joe Bonner and the addition of Rachel Kolster on violin and cello.

With 8 tracks nearing almost 48 minutes of music, this is an absolute recommendation for fans of Fleshgod Apocalypse and
similar artists. Very strong album by the band, who already had 2 previous full-lengths released. There is pretty much nothing wrong with this record at all, I recommend you go listen to it. NOW.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Alex Grindor on March 20, 2021.

Seraph in Travail from Philadelphia, has recently released their third full-length, and it is marvelous from start to finish.

The album itself wastes no time with long intros and the like, immediately punching you in the face with 'Fixed and Dilated'.
The amount of variety in this record is worth numerous listens. Vocals that growl, shriek and sing clean melodies, changing between styles in a fraction of seconds, guitars that crush and pulverize while delivering beautiful licks and melodies all around, keyboards that intertwine with the guitars, yet they go on their own at moments where they are left alone to shine.
And the drums, dear me those drums... They are among the best drums I've heard in a very long time, with a ridiculous variety of patterns and techniques, going from maniacal frenzy to slow pummeling and everything in between. I commend Mike Shaw's performance, truly a highlight of this whole album.

The rest of the band is not left behind though. J. Sutherland is an amazing vocalist in its own right. Piercing shrieks
and demonic growls are delivered on par throughout the album, with even some clean vocals that either accompany these extreme deliveries or go on their own. Victoria Ebana provides additional vocals, adding even more variety to this already great experience. Dan Shegue's guitarwork is exceptional as well; crushing slow riffs mixed with fast tremolo-picked riffage and melodic solos thrown everywhere possible, with additional guitarwork delivered by Joe Bonner and the addition of Rachel Kolster on violin and cello.

With 8 tracks nearing almost 48 minutes of music, this is an absolute recommendation for fans of Fleshgod Apocalypse and
similar artists. Very strong album by the band, who already had 2 previous full-lengths released. There is pretty much nothing wrong with this record at all, I recommend you go listen to it. NOW.

Rating: 9 out of 10