Artist: Perfide
Country: The Netherlands
Label: Self-released
Formats: Digital EP
Year: 2023
As part of the never-ending desire to expand their wealth during the golden age, many overseas colonies were added to ‘De Republiek Der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden’ (‘The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands’), either through occupation or trading for other colonies. Amongst these colonies were Suriname, Curaçao and St Martin. Located in or around the Caribbean Sea, to this day these countries still are part of The Netherlands. While some parts of the republic prospered as trade hubs for spices and the likes, these colonies presented a grimmer side of prosperity, becoming centers of slave trade for centuries. Even though the republic met its demise at the hand of the French in 1795, slavery wasn’t fully abolished until July 1st 1873 (remarkably, the treaty was signed in 1863 but it required a 10 year transition period to come in full effect). This day is now recognized and celebrated anually as Ketikoti, which essentially translates to broken chains, and 2023 marks its 150th anniversary.
Perfide showed their fascination with the dark side of the republic with all their previous releases, twisting the events and heroes of the golden age to include the influence of the Horned One himself. Once again turning to a morbid part of Dutch history, ‘Ultieme Vrijheid: Los van Christelijke Ketenen’ (which translates to ‘Ultimate Freedom’: Free from Christian shackles’) is released in honour of Ketikoti and presents the tales of two people that helped break the chains of slavery: Tula and Lohkay. In 1795, Tula sowed a seed by starting a rebellion against slavers that lasted over a month, but he was eventually executed for his actions. Decades later, Lohkay (also called One-Tété Lohkay) was punished for her continued attempts to escape by cutting off one of her breasts, but ultimately, she managed to inspire the full break from slavery and its eventual abolishment. The Horned One’s gift of the power to Tula and Lohkay to break from the chains of slavery is the rather unique central theme and historical spin of this latest Perfide EP.
While worshipping old Norwegian Black Metal at its very core, the atonal and minimal riffs together with a bass-driven and contrarian twisting song structure in the band’s music made it appealing and on par with the uniqueness of the lyrical themes. And on the latest EP that formula has remained pretty much intact. Both songs retain that strong core of ‘Deathcrush’ and to a lesser extent ‘De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas’ inspired Black Metal mixed with influences by other pioneers such as Darkthrone and Satyricon. But like on the debut, the leading bass riff that starts off ‘Tula’ and later antagonizes the guitar riffs, the changing tempos and at times bareboned instrumentation make the song unpredictable and off the beaten path. ‘Lohkay’ is the more threatening track of the two-song EP, having an almost entrancing structure where the ‘Deathcrush’ vibes ooze out of the shifting back-and-forth riffs and sudden drum bursts. Indeed, musically a lot has remained the same since the debut and the songs can be seen as a direct extension of that material. There are some subtle difference though. One of the changes that can be found is in the sound of the guitars, which are not only somewhat rawer than on the full-length, but now also come with the added interpretation of a second guitar player. But the most noticeable change is that in the drums. The current drummer L. presents a slightly more conventional Black Metal interpretation compared to a perhaps more progressive touch than the predecessor. Although a slight chance I wouldn’t call one approach better than the other, as they both fit the music equally well.
Just as their debut album, ‘Ultieme Vrijheid: Los van Christelijke Ketenen’ is a release that deserves to be heard. Remaining far from conventional, the two songs are a direct continuation of the band’s eccentric repertoire that for now are available as a digital release (available here) but will find a physical release on cassette through Zwaertgevegt in the future. With lyrics dealing with a Satanic interpretation of the historical breaking of the chains of slavery in the Caribbean, the mix of old school Mayhem, Darkthrone and Gorgoroth and atypical song structures: The only thing Perfide conforms to is their own vision of Black Metal.
