Review: “May Misery Befall You” by Perpetual Paradox

London Technical Death Metal act Perpetual Paradox have been nothing short of prolific over the past six years so it comes as no surprise that thirteen months after they gave us their debut album “Deathwish“, they’re back once more. Their fifth studio record and fourth extended play is titled “May Misery Befall You” and represents their first in partnership with the notorious Bleeding Art Collective as well as with new drummer Harry Cook of Semprus fame. The promise from vocalist Adrian Caucelo, bassist André de Barros, rhythm guitarist Jorge Nuñes and lead guitarist Oliver Miles is of something that muses on themes of grief, trauma and resilience but can it continue their ascendancy?

What Perpetual Paradox have done with opening cut “Bound and Strangled by a Black Snake” is utterly mind blowing as the quintet seamlessly weave together carefully crafted passages of different Metal sub-genres with consummate ease and incredible flow. A haunting piano melody introduces the tune which gives it an almost Symphonic Death Metal atmosphere even before the fireworks have begun. Rampaging guitars take to flight with rumbling bass and pummelling percussion, that sense of malevolent evil a constant undercurrent. It’s a blood and thunder approach wrapped in Death Metal fury that we’ve witnessed from the quintet before but this time it feels fresher, sharper and more focused with a distinctive verve and swagger in the confidence the collective have in their material… and then the violent turbulence begins with an epic brutal Deathcore breakdown section that is nothing short of incredible. How then the five piece transcend into a melancholic clean vocal passage with flamenco styled guitars with rich melody before rising back into blast beats before sinking back to the melody once more without missing a beat is just stunning. It’s musicianship of the highest calibre and that’s just the opening cut.

“Laconic” then rises from the grave with classic Death Metal riffs and blast beats galore, new drummer Harry Cook making his presence felt behind the kit. The clean vocal passage is superbly executed so that none of the energy or atmosphere is lost and while naysayers may frown at it, it works very well. The slick riffs and brutal death growls that follow are full of menacing and sinister power. Caucelo offers up a few shriller harsh unclean vocals during the bone snapping “Smell the Rot” which burns as it orbits the sun of Death Groove with a couple of hints at early Lamb Of God being an influence. The first two and a half minutes is a savage assault on the senses before another melodic break, this time with Progressive Metal leanings that offer fleeting respite. Here’s where things get crazy though because a blistering solo of the highest order breaks out of the meandering sending us into a spiralling descent of barbed riffs and vicious vocals. The compositional skills are masterful, the musicianship sublime but whats even better is that it sounds cohesive with an wonderfully dark flow and energy.

Everything that Perpetual Paradox do is filled with nuance and technicality so over multiple listens different elements crawl out of the woodwork like termites and the ripper that is “Source of Hate” is a fine example. While it has the weighty groove laden passages, it also has some seriously impressive intricate drumming with Caucelo pushing himself to his vocal limits. On this track he offers only harsh uncleans but the variety is mind blowing as he goes from deep death growls to shriller moments and parts the verge on having Slam inspiration without pausing for breath. There are moments when you almost do a double take, like did I really hear that?

The intensity doesn’t let up with title track “May Misery Befall You” either, the band going hell for leather with sublime Technical Death Metal leads over barbed riffs before slipping into a Melodic Death Metal bridge with aching clean vocals and whispers. The transition out of that is what makes it once more as the band combine the clean vocals with the soaring fretwork before punching back hard, the clenched fist of defiance taking us to a Technical Deathcore finale that is so fierce it scalds. As musicians Perpetual Paradox continue to grow at exponentially with “May Misery Befall You“, threatening to transcend into the dark work of Extreme Metal while out doing themselves with each and every step. If there is any justice in this world, this record would be the one that opens a door to European touring opportunities… [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Bound and Strangled by a Black Snake
2. Laconic
3. Smell the Rot
4. Source of Hate
5. May Misery Befall You

“May Misery Befall You” by Perpetual Paradox is out 28th August 2026 via Bleeding Art Collective