Review Summary: An incredible display likely to have one bowing down. The virtuosity and scope is undeniable and the results are breathtakingly beautiful.
"Spiritual Migration" is a tremendous album in so many ways. On this album, Persefone has a whole new sound and approach that they only hinted at on their previous release "Shin Ken". All three of their other releases were above average on the shred scale, but this takes it to a whole new level that is seemingly unmatched. It is symphonic melodic death metal led by virtuoso instrumentation (in all regards) and highly expansive chord progressions and song structures, all still squarely within the realm of classical sounding composition. This is one of the few albums where even veteran speed metal listeners may be overwhelmed by just how much is going on and how quickly it moves.
This is certainly a concept album. The entire work focuses on themes such as having control over your destiny, knowing your place in the universe, being one with the earth, not fearing death, and the truth of reality. The whole thing is highly encouraging and loving, but you may not be able to tell by the death metal growls. It is refreshing to hear lyrical themes that suggest empowerment through the heaviness rather than your typical savagery just for the sake of it. It does a rather commendable job of pacing, starting off with a short intro and then two of the albums most solidly written tracks "Mind as Universe" and "The Great Reality". An epic and intricate approach is apparent from these opening tracks. It is jaw dropping to hear the airtight interplay between guitars and keyboards that clearly is the work of masters of their craft. The album has two nearly four minute interludes that invoke images of meditating next to a creek and a bonsai tree. These tracks are flowing and natural in intensity. However, once they are finished that approach is thrown out the window for more in your face metal. These interludes are a welcome change of pace that was a necessity to allow the album to last a longer time without become tiring. Also a brilliant move, is the two part "Consciousness" instrumental that I can firmly say is one of the best instrumentals I have ever heard. The title is fitting, seeing as the work starts calm and builds in intensity as the epiphany is approaching. When it is reached is one of the most beautiful sections of music I've heard, symbolizing a true reaching of consciousness. "Consciousness" is still heavy but is more subtle and natural than the vocal tracks.
There is a lot to love on this album. The lyrical subjects and interlude tracks are refreshing and give the album a hopeful tone underneath the layers of brutality. Just seeing how far they take the extreme approach on the next track is enough to keep you listening. The album wouldn't be half as good without the extremely prominent, fitting, and varied use of keyboards. Which range from symphonic, piano, and organ all to fitting effect. The symphonic elements really shine on the big endings of tracks. I have seen many complain about the clean vocals on this album. First hearing them, they instantly reminded me of Trivium, but hearing them more they have their own unique feel. The clean vocals on the album are a unique feature that adds to the music and each time they come in it makes the track better. They have a relaxed rather "every-man" feel that sounds sincere and are done by Miguel Ortiz, the keyboard player. It really helps that the chorus type sections have these spaced out, highly orchestrated arrangements of which I have never heard outside of the album. These sections expertly inject melody and space in between the dense, chaotic verses. The chorus on "Inner Fullness" is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard and is one of the only places with vocal harmonies. The soft section of "The Great Reality" leads to an inspiring build up that peaks with Ortiz proclaiming "my inner child, my deepest emotions."
The record has problems that many are sure to focus on. The sporadic verses sometimes have mixed results. There are noticeable spots where the guitar seems unwarranted. The guitarists are godly but speed and style are prioritized over strong melodic movements in the guitar solos. Jordi Mateu and Carlos Quintanilla do fit in some nice melodic phrases that are highlights of the leads. The album gets a little weaker at the end. Tracks 9-12 being its weakest stretch. They aren't bad tracks by any means. In fact they are incredible. Just the material before it was so good that the ending tracks don't quite live up to the standard set by the album. "Returning to the Source" is an epic finale in whole but seems to be parodying the bands own sound by throwing even more in your face than ever before but to less affect.
"Spiritual Migration" is an album that anyone that enjoys extreme metal should listen to at least two or three times. That first listen will overwhelm the senses so give it a few spins to sink in. Personally I have listened to the whole thing 15+ times; it's just that dense and enjoyable. Some may say they are trying to hard. Sure the band gets carried away and the writing seems to be flash over consistency but looks like they are harnessing the power of the Earth and their spirits. That's a hard force to contain. And it really is difficult to criticize any album deficiencies given that just about all of it can be traced to the inherent sound of the genre they are in. A hopeful and inspired vibe permeates from the record. This album is a classic by its own right, but the weaker end portion makes it seem as though Persefone should bring back a little more of their old sound in the future. It is an incredible ride with a unique tone that shows the heights that extreme metal is capable of reaching.
