With everyone nowadays focusing on a mixture of Sludge, Hardcore and Black Metal, the positive tunes on Persona are quite refreshing. There is only one thing that doesn’t work well and that are the vocals that don’t have the energy and body vocalists from Refused or At The Drive In have. A good example is ‘Dreamless Sleep’ were the band show some interesting hooks and dissonant guitar play Refused wished they invent it. And then the vocals…they are just average, the tone of the clean vocals doesn’t give you that the goose bumps or the increased heartbeat when you like a band.

 

Dominic is from Norway so that means the four guys can play their songs very well, the only minor thing is everything stays within the lines. There is no moment they really go out of range. Maybe they wanted to create the perfect album in such a way that all the energy and spirit is gone after the time of writing, rehearsing and recording. When I listen objectively to the music there is nothing wrong with all the songs (‘A New Dawn’ for example has perfect riffs, a ditto flow and is build up by musicians who know how to write a song) but what I miss is the soul in the music.

 

The concept behind the record Persona is the people who live behind a mask. The mask has two functions, to make a certain impression on others and to hide the true natural of those who wear a mask. In today’s century of course still a true phenomenon but also something that is already known for ages. But isn’t everyone doing this in some way? With respect to the chosen concept; it’s just as general as the music they play. Sorry guys, I am sure the intentions are right but the new record is clearly in the middle!