Review: “Saviour to None” by Perpetua

As they approach the end of their first decade of destruction Edinburgh natives Perpetua can look back with an enormous sense of pride. In that time they’ve achieved more than most,  having unleashed hell with a fist full of stand alone singles alongside debut EP in 2018’s “To Suffer” and a debut album in 2024’s “Resurgence“, all of which has helped to put their name on the map. It is however in the live arena where they’ve shone the most, earning a reputation for fierce performances of groove laden intensity and technical prowess. That has allowed them to share stages with the likes of Decapitated, Bleed From Within and Attila in the past with this year alone seeing them open for Employed To Serve, Cage Fight and Crypta not to mention legendary Swedish Death Thrash masters The Haunted. Most bands don’t get the opportunity to play with one or two of those bands so to have achieved all of that is impressive to say the least.

Mixed and mastered by Mark Tindal (Catalysis, Immortal Omen, Violent Relapse) at Open Eyes Productions the bands latest burnt offering is “Saviour to None“, a four track affair which begins with the blistering title track. Flavours of Trivium and Lamb Of God run the centre of this one with a bold sing-a-long chorus reinforced by powerful staccato riff breaks and groove laden parts, the technically edged guitar work raising the hairs on the back of the neck. Ben Smith’s vocals are impressive, his range allowing his to sing and scream without the band needing to slow their momentum to allow for it and the styling is something repeated on follow up “Veil of Deception” which is just as razor sharp as its predecessor. The quintet demonstrate they have plenty of bark and bite here but are also capable of infusing some Scandinavian melancholia with an aching solo at the bitter black heart of the piece which finds both riff lords Andy Dickson and Nick Whyte showing off their technical abilities.

Sublime riffs continue to fly in all directions as the rampaging “Descend” maintains the electrifying energy of the record with verve and swagger, Smith venting his spleen in venomous fashion. This time out the band make good use of vocal layering so you get cleans underneath the harsh ones in the chorus but it’s the spine juddering bass and pummelling percussion that impresses the most on this one as Will Keogh and Tony Corio are in their element. It’s very much all killer no filler from a band who have refined and to a certain extent redefined their sound by putting the hard yards in at the rehearsal space. Slowing things down for something a little more menacing “Fallen Sons” rises with poise and panache, the darkness of the atmosphere matched by power of the crushing riffs. Smith’s call for you to face your reckoning rings out in the final moments, subliminally inviting you to scream along with him and it has to be said resistance is completely and utterly futile [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Saviour to None
2. Veil of Deception
3. Descend
4. Fallen Sons

“Saviour to None” by Perpetua is out 6th November 2026 via Bleeding Art Collective