Som Persona

Rival Consoles' album Persona, inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film of the same name, aims to explore the difference between personal perceptions of the self and how one is viewed by others. Significantly less danceable than some of the artist's other albums, the album simultaneously feels more introverted and more expansive. Ryan Lee West's tracks blend acoustic and electronic instrumentation as well as a plethora of effects, with crisp snare drums galloping alongside wavy synth chords which vividly ebb and flow, and melodies which sound live rather than programmed. West particularly loves to start a song quietly and build up from there, maintaining a sense of progression and suspense…

Parisian meta-post-rock outfit LOST IN KIEV finally return with their long-awaited 3rd album and most astounding work to date, Persona.

Thrash metal pioneers and masters of the craft Exodus take time off from their 7-year studio break to deliver a politically charged, adrenaline steeped, hour long sonic boot to the face of the competition to shake up the 2020s…

Liona Boyd - Winner of 5 Juno Awards as well as being named Top Classical Guitarist' by 'Guitar Magazine' 5 times. 'Persona' was produced in England by Michael Kamen anf features guest appearances by Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Yo Yo Ma, Andy Newmark and Dean Garcia.

Exodus have officially returned with their first new album in seven years, “Persona Non Grata.” The record, which will be available tomorrow (November 19), offers a full-on thrash attack that is sure to satisfy fans old and new. The effort is chock-full of riffy and shredding guitar work mixed with the kind of blistering vocals one would expect from the band. As one navigates the album, it is clear to see that the group have stayed true to the sound that made them a household name in the Bay Area. All in all, “Persona Non Grata” is a solid record from a band that has been killing it for four decades. There are some parts where the fat could have been trimmed a little bit to make for a more concise piece of work, but other than that it is exactly what fans have been clamoring for, a pure display of classic thrash metal.

The Japan and Porcupine Tree keyboardist Richard Barbieri releases his most sonically expansive work to date, with a brand new album entitled Planets + Persona. It is the third Barbieri solo album, but the first to feature such a wide pallet of instrumentation. Vintage analogue synthesisers combine with acoustic performances and jazz elements. Twisted voices are always present, though not in a language we can recognise. Barbieri skilfully utilises the talents of a pan-European core of musicians to produce an album that marries synthesised sounds with organic instrumentation to conjure up vivid, colourful and allusive soundscapes. It’s a skilful commingling of texture and tone, mood and musicality.

The Norwegian black metal band Djevel release their seventh full-length album “Tanker som rir natten” on May 14th through the Norwegian label Aftermath Music. Ten years ago, Djevel burst into the Black Metal scene with the debut “Dødssanger“. With a fierce, raw energy and a breathtaking, ominous melodic touch, the trademark sound of the band had been placed. Now ten years into the story, the band have kept the sound and spirit, but evolved through three stages of new musicians being added to the signature riffs of main composer Ciekals, developing the music to new heights, while still maintaining the sonic outlet that identifies Djevel. So here we enter the third era, where Ciekals and Faust (ex-Emperor, Blood Tsunami) have been joined by new vocalist/bassist Kvitrim (Vemod). This new constellation of the band have built the bands 7th album “Tanker Som Rir Natten“, an album surpassing all what they’ve done before, and opening some new ideas within both production and composition. The raw feeling is still intact, and the acoustic elements have returned. But the eerie, haunting atmosphere have grown stronger, making it the most varied output from the band thus far.