Review Summary: Dare to Dream
Percht is a one man project from Belgium conceived, performed and produced by Ferre Bulte. Just so we're clear right away, this is a pretty odd album. The mixture of sounds and styles skirts the line between head-scratching and pure originality. To be honest I'm not sure which is the case here, and I don't think Ferre really knows either. In aiming for something unique, he may have tripped over his own plethora of ideas in the process. Still, it's a commendable effort and there's plenty to like. The range of elements and vocal styles alone is worth your attention.
From an atmospheric black metal core grow elements of folk, prog, and a touch of doom for good measure. The pace is moderate, but occasionally slows and alternatively ramps up, usually with smart timing. There are synthesized symphonic backgrounds, keys, plenty of acoustic notes, even a flute shows up briefly in the first track. It sounds like it should be a mess but Ferre manages to hold it together with solid songwriting and continuity in the overall tone and feel. Fluidly straying between longing and satisfaction, the songs seem to know the emotions they want to convey but just aren't quite sure how to get the message across. There are some really beautiful guitar melodies here but unfortunately they often don't get the attention they deserve. The production is thin and airy which hurts the album more than it helps it.
The vocals are clearly the focus; they are high in the mix and there's several layers of multiple styles, all vying for your attention, often simultaneously. Deep, almost guttural growls, higher pitched rasps, low pitched monotone spoken word, soft and pleasant cleans (two different kinds layered in a few spots), wordless chants. None of it is spectacular but it's all quite respectable and I must give credit where credit is due; one person doing all this and making it (mostly) work is a damned impressive feat. Again, a recipe for ear-stabbing disaster is present but driving the whole machine are solid black metal riffs, competent drumming, and some really interesting and compelling bass work. The package as a whole does work much better in certain parts and certain songs than in others.
The first two tracks are very similar to each other, focusing on the guitars and atmosphere. Vessel and the title track are more aggressive but less engaging. They lose some of the mystique of the album's opener and stray from the atmosphere the first two tracks had built. Cerulean Dream grabs it back; the best track on the album, it showcases well thought out structuring that keeps you attention. Retaining energy throughout, it goes through some exciting change-ups and concludes with a lovely light lead out. You're left wondering why all the songs aren't this well put together. Remember Tranquility trails off somewhere, reminding you of the two middle tracks, and that this artist is still searching for his musical identity.
It's appropriate that the final track, Cassiopeia, is both the longest on the album, and is entirely instrumental. It's a nice break from what is a nearly overwhelming array of vocals. Discordant at first, it gradually smooths out and riffs hard, bringing back the passion eluded to in Unspoken, and captured in Cerulean Dream. It ends the record strong and makes listening all the way through at least a few times much more rewarding.
Determining how I felt about this album was difficult. Part of me heard an amateurish jumble of weakly executed stuff I've heard before. Part of me heard a call to expand the horizons of the genre conventions metal music often finds itself a slave to, while not straying so far as to alienate fans of heavy music. It will be interesting to see what Percht can come up with for a sophomore effort, and while nothing here is going to knock your socks off, it's worth taking a seat and having a listen. Wherever the future of atmospheric metal lies, Percht is trying to find it.
