Album Review // 2022-03-08

Persefone

Metanoia

Released: 2022-02-04

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I think it's cool that this band is from Andorra, a very small place. I can identify with living in small areas. Ontario is obviously a lot bigger than this entire microstate, but there are a lot of little towns in Ontario. I imagine it has taken them some effort to be known as a band. They have said metal is not popular in their area. 

This band are perfectionists and have been said to look back on their past work and see the issues, wanting to improve and move forward. I guess it is only natural when it is your creation. They wanted to push the boundaries with 7 strings and pick up the pace from their last album. Their newest members are younger and bring some refreshment to things such as their cover art. Uniquely for this album, they found a piece of artwork and started creating around the inspiration of it. I love this idea!

Persefone is an interesting band name, as it is referring to the goddess of the underworld. It seems that she has some passive and loyal qualities, and was allowed to reside both in the underworld with Hades and in the Springtime above ground. 

I think the name of this album, Metanoia, is beautiful. It sounds pleasant, and it means a change in your way of life, which indicates that it is fairly drastic and involves a regret or sorrow over what needed to change. I feel like this is really relatable. So many times I have had regrets and reflected on them with deep sadness, and then had to work on change. This word, though, implies a fairly quick and considerable change. 

Album Art

I love how the album art shaped what the music became. I personally like this piece of artwork. The contrast of stark and dark against light is something I feel drawn to. Some of my favourite artwork is in greyscale. The unnatural shape of the light or exit makes you wonder. It feels like you are in a cave and you are either imagining this exit or light, or it truly is there. I imagine it is a surprise and not just a common trail that you knew would lead you here. It may have even been something you dreamed of finding but never thought you would. 

Mood

There is a beauty here. It is a self-reflective lure, almost haunting. It almost has an overtaking quality of a journey for the better. At times it is a struggle, and in the end, it is for the greater things.

Vocals

I love the passion in this vocal, especially the higher vocal - it feels very emotional - though, I really like that there is a deeper contrasted vocal as well. It works well with this atmosphere. The singing adds the vulnerability and is done nicely. I appreciate the way the sounds were sung in the last song. It really made it feel emotional and like it tied things up.

The guest vocalists, Einar and Merethe, fit into the mood of the album. 

Music

The music is compelling and keeps my attention. The progressive elements are done just right, for me. There are some occasional electronic sounds that felt a little too cool for me at first, such as at the end of the opening song and 3 minutes into Katabasis, but they seemed to meld in as I listened to this album more times. These sounds kind of make me think of a spaceship landing in a sci-fi movie. There are some epic-sounding moments, so maybe that was the idea? I really like the keyboard aspect to this band. I think it is an important part of the sound. The quick-paced guitar work and varied drums keep my attention. The bass has its moments to shine, which is satisfying. The soft moments offer the right amount of care in how they are delivered. I think overall the album flow is very fluid. A few times, after listening to this album it automatically went straight into another album by Persefone right after, and felt like it hit a wall or something because of the stark contrast. You could tell it wasn't a part of it.

The guest musicians, Angel and Steffan, obviously fit in well, here. Anabasis Pt. 2 is one of my favourite songs on the album. And there wasn't a moment that sometimes happens with guests where you think they just stick out like sore thumbs.

Metanoia

Do you ever feel like you are carrying a burden around and no one knows about or they can't help you? You are the one that has to do something to change the situation. I think that is what this song is about.

Growing wound
No more tears left
I'm alone in this
I know I need to transcend
Let it burn

Katabasis

I think this song is using the descent of Persefone into the underworld as an illustration. It becomes clear that what was stable is falling apart. It isn't just a should anymore, now you have to do something to save yourself.

The walls are closing in
I can feel I’m trapped in here
Consume my soul
My journey starts now

I’m slowly turning into ashes
Still so far but getting close
I am living my own
Katabasis

Architecture of the I

This seems to be a struggle with who you are, the foundation of what you have become. You want to remove the imperfections. You need to figure out who you are.

Architect! Remove the imperfections
Architect! Let the pure structure remain
Anger is rooting and feeding from the inside
This parasite must burn

I am fading, facing myself, all these cold flames
Senses are numb
Am I fear? Am I peace?
Tear the skin, I can’t find me there

Aware of Being Watched

I am not sure where this title comes in. It still feels like an internal struggle - you against you. But who is watching? 

It makes me think of this idea I have where I want to be me in every situation, to the point where if I were videotaped at any point, whatever I say and do wouldn't be a surprise to others. For example, the way I treat people at work. Or if I have something I want to say about someone. I imagine telling them to their face, because I want to be that person that isn't saying things behind your back.

But what about in this situation in this song? I feel like the audience might be yourself. I know I have felt immense pressure at times to live up to my own expectations, or to be different than I am. Maybe that is what is going on here.

What do I know?
This is not me
I don't feel things right
Can't pronounce the words out loud, just whisper them

What makes me still fight against me?
The denial of change, my own loss
This heavy weight
I behold the vastness in awe of all things that I had ever known

Merkabah

I looked this word up because I wasn't familiar with it. It is associated with a chariot, a divinely-empowered chariot. I won't try to explain what it means as I don't totally understand, but it has a connection to several religions. It seems to indicate a passage or movement to somewhere else. I think these words indicate this acceptance of a change, this desire to be somewhere else and in a different situation.

On my knees, I still believe
Tear the cortex, fear free
This cruel metamorphosis
Pure reborn, believe

No longer obsessed with the shadows
In this room full of light
Letting go of my mental abstractions
Crackling of the blazing fire
Healing inside
The smell of change
The primitive call
Now the noise is,
Now the noise is gone

Anabasis Pt. 2

These words speak to an acceptance of yourself. Something that is deep and involves letting go of the negative place that you were, and thoughts you had about yourself. Maybe forgiving yourself. I like the positive nature of this song. 

Breathe life in
I'm fulfilled
Embrace my soul
Feel the pulse
I'm a river
I'm the sky
In this state of grace
All the elements
Are aligned

Ashes drawing the path with blood
Going beyond the mind, fearless
The fire has wiped out all the things that I was
Born again
I can breathe and feel
A vessel of pure energy

Playlist Picks

I really enjoyed this album!

I will put Katabasis on my playlist because it has a great pace, great contrast, and epic feel.

I will also put Merkabah on my playlist because I like the tone and emotion.