COMEDIA - INFERNO

'Pervy Perkin' is more than just an interesting name. It is a progressive metal band that comes from Spain that was founded in 2011 by Alvaro on guitar and Carly Pajaron on drums. Their band line-up has changed somewhat from then and they have released 1 EP and 3 studio LPs, the third one called 'Comedia: Inferno' released in April of 2019. It makes you wonder if the name has anything to do with the current vocalist and guitarist Dante 'The Samurai' since it seems to be based on a portion of the classic book 'The allegorical Messages of The Divine Comedy by the author of the same name. As a matter of fact, it is a journey around the nine circles of Hell according to the band's Bandcamp page. Alejandro Macho also sings and plays keyboards; Carly Pajaron is on drums and vocals; Juan Tides is on guitars and vocals; and Pablo Aks is on bass and vocals. The album has a total of 9 tracks and the album has a duration of 67 minutes.

As expected, this is a dark album, and this is immediately proven by the first track 'Abandon All Hope' which starts with howling wolves, hooting owls and a breathless narration in Italian. Suddenly, the music begins in full force with a speed metal style and growling vocals which soon become clean and then the music calms as thick organs and chiming guitars begin to support calmer vocals. This is also a good example of all of the musicians lending their vocals as various vocal styles are noted, and this tends to separate characterizations. Immediately, you will be hooked by this dynamic sound. 'The Tempest' features 2 guest vocalists; Kheryon from Eternal Storm and Blue from Bones of Minerva. That probably explains the deep, evil growling that starts things off and appears throughout the track along with clean vocals. As before, the singers take on characters from the book. After another speed metal beginning, the track takes on a less heavy side with a dramatic and intriguing section. After a while, things build up again as a swirling guitar brings back vocal layers and then erupts into an instrumental section with a great guitar solo. More character vocals continue later as the music continues in an ever changing kaleidoscope of styles like they are running the entire gamut of metal in one 8 minute track. It's actually quite amazing. If anything can be considered progressive metal, this is it.

The album continues in this vein. You will never get tired of the vocal styles presented here as the singers continue to take on various passages, usually singing solo sections, but also harmonizing in some very unique ways. The music also never settles on anything that could be called a standard structure as it is all highly progressive and dynamic. While the overall sound of the album is heavy, dark and metallic, there is still plenty of time devoted to explore quieter, atmospheric passages, and some unique sounds that you normally won't hear in a straightforward heavy metal album. There are even some electronic effects (as in the end of 'Three Throats') and there is also a lot of organ to help with the creepiness of the album.

This is quite an ambitious undertaking for a band like this, and for the most part, they pull it off quite well. The characterization and dynamic of the album is excellent. But, in pulling this off, there are some weaknesses that are mostly apparent in the flow of the music and a bit of a choppy feeling in the utilization of so many voices. These things are not too distracting in the overall enjoyment of this album. Of course, it's not to be expected that things would flow as smoothly as they do with the band 'Aryeon' who constantly utilized many different vocalists for characterization, as that band is definitely a lot more experienced. However, it is still quite impressive that Pervy Perkin can pull this off as well as they do anyway.

The utilization of some musical styles might turn off some metal heads that have banged their mental doors closed permanently, as the dynamics of this album will require open minds. The dynamics of the music is one of this albums greatest strengths. An example of this is the ever changing musical landscape of 'All for Gold' which quickly moves from doom metal to speed metal to atmospheric metal very quickly. It also ends with a long ambient section that follows some electronic experimentation, all in the name of translating the Dante book into a musical journey. So yes, an open mind is required for this album, but an open mind that loves progressive metal.

Now for those prog lovers that don't like abrasive music. This album can get very abrasive and has some growling and screaming sections. What do you really expect during a trip through Hell anyway? But don't worry, it's not a constant barrage of extreme metal, there are more clean vocals and nice harmonies than there are dirty vocals. And the best part, this is undoubtedly progressive, so you shouldn't let the occasional dirty vocal turn you away from this excellent and dynamic album. For example, there are sections of some of these tracks that venture into a jazz fusion territory, like 'Open Casket' with its unique harmonies built off of jazz chords and instrumental progressions, for one example. There is also a cool synth solo in this track. Anyway, as is the case for metal lovers it is also the same for prog-heads, an open mind is required.

Further along in the album, 'Cult of Blood' begins with a jazz piano section before a wailing scream wakes you up to more progressive metal. This track also utilizes Blue as a guest vocalist, but also features Endika (from 'Anteros', not the English Pop band) as another guest vocalist. After this almost 9 minute tour de force, you get hit with another epic track over 15 minutes called 'Malebolge'. If your jaw hasn't hit the floor after hearing this track, then you must be deaf already.

Despite the minor flaws with flow from time to time, and the fact that some of the vocalists are better than others (and some have heavy accents), this is an excellent album, and I would expect that after an effort like this one, that the band is ambitious enough to only get better, so I'm sold to watch for future releases. This is definitely an album worth checking out, especially if you love progressive metal that isn't afraid to go places you wouldn't expect them to, and this music explores all extremes too, so be ready for that. This is impressive music, especially if you want the progressive side to be has heavy as the metal side. 4 stars easily.