Spain is becoming a strong scene for Metal in the last 10 years. In the 80's, only BARÓN ROJO and OBUS got recognition out of the country's borders, but names as ÁNGELES DEL INFIERNO, MEDINA AZAHARA, ÑU, SANTA, SARATOGA, SANGRE AZUL and many others helped to set the foundations of Metal/Hard Rock/Rock scene on those lands. Today, things are better, and names as PERENNIAL ISOLATION can reach worldwide fans, especially due its new release, "Portraits", their fourth album.

Their music is Atmospheric Black Metal, in a crude traditional and personal way. Obviously that those melancholic and deep melodic arrangements can be found enriching each song, and the energy that the band unleashes is excellent. It's not extremely technical, but it doesn't need to be in such way as well. And that last feature allows the fans to absorb their musical work easily. The production was done in a way that everyone can understand what the band is playing, but keeping that crude and nasty approach of classic Black Metal bands (not exaggerated raw, though), with morbid and simple instrumental tunes. And it fits in a very good way on what they're playing, indeed.

It's not so easy to say a set of best songs, because the homogeneity of the album is great. But for a first time on their work, "Autumn Legacy Underlying the Cold's Caress" (the contrast between melancholic parts, the nasty shrieked tunes on vocals and some extreme moments is very good), "Unceasing Sorrows from the Vastness' Scion" and "To the Withering Womb" (the deeper introspective melodies creates an oppressive ambience due the excellent work on guitars on both songs), "Embers in the Slumbering Threshold" (this one shows a fine set of rhythmic changes, what means that bass guitar and drums are working in a very good level of technique), and "The Silent Solace" are the ones for it.

Of course, PERENNIAL ISOLATION still has their best in their arsenal, but for now, "Portraits" is a very good album.