PERPETUAL ETUDE (feat. Goran Edman) – Now Is The Time [Japan Edition +1] (2021)

“Now Is The Time” is the debut album from PERPETUAL ETUDE, a new combo arriving from the always fructiferous Swedish land. Arriving next weekend, the album will be released before (tomorrow) in Japan including a bonus track.
Formed by ex members of OSUKARU, NATION, SEVENTH CRYSTAL and AIR RAID, you only can expect quality, and if you need more, there’s the unique Goran Edman as guest vocalist.
And Edman is a fine reference to get a picture of PERPETUAL ETUDE’s music: think YNGWIE MALMSTEEN circa 1987-1992 (with Joe Lynn Turner & Edman era), AXEL RUDI PELL, the heavier side of HARDLINE and TAKARA, etc.
This is melodic hard rock / melodic metal with impressive musicianship, short, catchy songs, and pristine production.

With eight songs – nine in this Japanese edition – ”Now Is The Time”, is compact – 35 minutes – straight to the point, with an excellent production to better appreciate a timeless sound. “I’ve Got the Power” is a very strong beginning. The song is an absolute banger! Krystian Fyhr on vocals has the perfect range for the genre. He reached the highest notes seemingly without effort and alternates rightfully between an aggressive and softer register.

Magnus Mild, on guitars, does an excellent job as well: he is not showing off with soli sounding overly technical. You can hear an acute sense of melodies and balance throughout the compositions.
Since “I’ve Got the Power” is such a flying start, “Show Me” is almost melodic hard rock, and “Straight Through the Heart” a mix of both; punchy yet melodic. “Once we were One” and ” Hell Fire Burn”, with their keyboards flourish, bring back that ’80s magic, plenty of hook laden choruses.
With the help of Goran Edman providing vocals, ”Sail Away” recall’s 1990 Yngwie when he used to craft powerful melodic melodies, while “Our Love” not only is pure midtempo Scandi melodic rock ,but also slightly AOR.

With this debut album, you have to admire the efforts made by PERPETUAL ETUDE on the different atmospheres. From classic Melodic Hard Rock to Melodic Metal, there is a song for every taste on the album. All cohesive, helped by short songs and proper track list avoiding filler.
A great debut
Highly Recommended

 

01 – I’ve Got the Power
02 – Show Me
03 – Straight Through the Heart
04 – Once We Were One
05 – Hell Fire Burn
06 – Now Is the Time
07 – Sail Away
08 – Our Love
09 – Ignition [Japan Bonus Track]

Magnus Mild (Guitars) *AIR RAID, ex-OSUKARU
Kristian Fyhr (Vocals) *SEVENTH CRYSTAL
Kaspar Dahlqvist (Keyboard) *ex-NATION, ex-DIONYSUS
Vidar Martensson (Drums) *AIR RAID, ex-OSUKARU
Mikael T Planefeldt (Bass) *NORTHTALE
Goran Edman – guest vocals on “Sail Away”

 

BUY
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/MICP-11651