Perfect Storm – Stairs

More than three and a half years ago, I wrote my very first album review, which was for the debut album “No Air” from Dutch band Perfect Storm . It was not a start of many reviews, and it has been a while since my last, but for them I am happy to make some time free to write something about their new album “Stairs”.

In my review of that debut I was quite full of superlatives about almost everything, vocals, instrumentals and songwriting. I recommend reading that review before this one (https://theprogspace.com/perfect-storm-no-air/).

With this new album I was curious if there would be many changes. For the band, the biggest change is that two band members have been replaced. Jesse Bosman (drums) and Ard Offers (keys) have left the band.

Wieger Dijkstra has taken over the drum parts. His drumming is more outgoing and sounds more technical and powerful. A real good addition to the band. The same goes for Jan Munnik, who has taken over the keyboard, which is even more progressive and adventurous than his predecessor. They both add this little extra to the band, so this change is very positive.

There definitely has been much improvement on the sound quality. Maybe it’s because I listen to the vinyl version now, while I listened to the mp3 files the last time. Although I can really recommend buying the LP, I am pretty convinced this album sounds fuller, more powerful and with more detail. For example, the bass lines are so much more noticeable. Just listen to ‘Stairs’ for example and notice the beautiful melodies that David Klompmakers produces, with Hiskes voice it makes for an absolute balladesque treasure on the album.

Hiske Oosterwijk is one of not many female vocalists I really adore. Normally, I tend to listen more to bands with male vocals. Just a crazy preference, maybe, but that means that female vocals have to bring something special or extra. I quite liked her on their debut, but found out she could do so much more when I saw them on stage a couple of times. It was so impressive what she did with the song “How it Ends”, a long vocal solo where she reached such a volume. Literally giving goosebumps from the tip of my toe to my shiny head. So I am really happy that she got a bigger role on the new album. Though a little more craziness, as she does live, would not hurt on the record.

Another role of hers are the beautiful lyrics, which are all by Hiske’s hand. I am really bad at finding a theme or concept, and so I reached out to the band and asked if there is a concept. I’m happy she gave me the following lines about it:

Stairs: the stairs (roads) you walk in your life with ups and downs. It is, as it were, a labyrinth. The labyrinth of life. Sometimes you’re stuck, sometimes you find your way easily, etc. As long as you keep moving. Each song on the album has its own story that is linked to it.

Adel Saflou became one of my favorite progressive rock and metal singers after the first album. Again he switches from a clear and dreamy voice to a raw powerful one. I can recommend you to also check out his other band Ambrotype. Though be warned that the first album contains heavy growls, but I would not mind if he throws in some growls on future Perfect Storm albums.

I think I haven’t praised Gert-Jan Schurer enough yet. His guitar playing is very versatile, supporting the music with the atmosphere the song needs, or giving it the power at the right moments. And on almost every song there are some finger licking good solo’s. But besides being such an amazing talent on the guitar, he is the main writer of the songs. After making the demos, all the band members add their own input during training and recording sessions.

Just as the debut, there are 7 songs on the album. On average, the songs are shorter except the last song ‘Depraved Mind’, which instantly is my favorite song on the album. A real epic, just over 11 minutes, containing heavy drumming and guitars, that pulls it just into the progressive metal. It is the longest song but has the least lyrics. Lyrics are repetitive and vocals are used as instruments. A long instrumental part fills the mid-section for almost 5 minutes. Guitar is in the lead here, dualistic with drumming and the keyboard and solo. This might be their best song so far.

The band took their time to create the album, because they did not want to rush anything and keep quality as a first priority. Finding and fitting in new band members probably did not speed the process. But the wait was worth it, because they made a worthy successor to their debut, with more powerful drums, more adventurous keyboards and more guitar solos. It still contains mostly progressive rock, but here and there is room for more heavy stuff and slightly into the progressive metal even.

I am very happy with how the band continued on this second album. It is clear that taking their time paid off and the overall sound has been improved, while keeping their own sound with dualistic singing, and not making the mistake of making a copy of the first album.

They made me fall in love with their debut, but my love has been renewed and improved.

Tracklist:

1.       Demon’s Dance 6:56
2.       Skin Deep Sky 5:34
3.       Don’t Go 4:58
4.       I am Tomorrow 6:38
5.       Misspend 5:54
6.       Stairs 7:00
7.       Depraved Mind 11:04