ALBUM REVIEW: Aggressive Perfector – Come Creeping Fiends

British blackened heavy metal mob Aggressive Perfector are back with their second album! Out on March 27th via Dying Victims Productions.

Melodic guitars surge into life with punching bass lines and upbeat drums to give an impactful explosion as a first impression. Blending heavy, speed and even early thrash metal elements of the most evil niches; Aggressive Perfector have a ferocious edge to their music while retaining that anthemic and catchy flame burning at the heart of it. The strong riffing is met by equally impressive solos and the bass guitar isn’t lazy either. Primal hammering from the drums underlines the rabid and tormenting vocals which spew morbidly through the mix. Everything is balanced with a spacious, old school sound. There is an undeniably British grit to the Mancunian maniacs’ sound, which evokes the spirit of bands like Tank but twisted through the ghoulish lens of Mercyful Fate. “Come Creeping Fiends” is off to a great start.

From the melodic, horror-tinged angle Aggressive Perfect is how I imagine Deceased would sound if they were a British heavy/speed metal band. This is, of course, a huge compliment. I think this trio have a really cool racket that brings classics to mind but they do so in a way that feels unique and charming. All three members also play in the band Wode, a completely different angle of dark metal in the black/death camp that is wicked too. Additionally Tim played in my favourite UK band to form this side of the millennium: Heavy Sentence. But do not let these achievements fool you; Aggressive Perfector is an equally impressive force in its own right. Creeping and crawling through the catacombs of the English north, this record just drags you into its haunting tales.

Sometimes the world of metal goes too far away from straight-up rocking. Aggy P do not forget to have those huge guitar riffs that move your neck automatically or the pounding drums to percussively shift your weary bones. With these killer instrumental foundations, the mean vocals can do their thing and lead the charge into the abyss. This record is great fun, but not in a goofy or kitsch way; it simply fills the air with ghostly heavy metal that enchants your very soul. The mix of high-speed venom and occasionally more doomy heavy metal riffs ensures we get plenty of atmosphere while always charging forth until the short ‘n’ sweet LP is done welcoming you to hell.

This is a short, exciting and eerie burst of British heavy metal thunder. There is evil, mystique and fist-pounding iron in equal measure; what’s not to love? From the 2016 demo and 2019 debut LP to present, there isn’t a moment of the band’s recorded output that I do not enjoy. They are also a savage live act and great guys. A triumph for the British underground, showing our heavy metal hasn’t lost its filthy edge.