Perpetual Paranoia is an international Thrash Metal band that saw its conception back in 2018 when
California shredder-Tiago James de Souza joined forces with New Zealand based vocalist-Dale Thompson. If the name Tiago sounds familiar that's because he has already worked with a number of bands including 'Hand of Fire', 'The Thomas Thompson Earth Project, Godman, and BioGenesis. Over the years, Dale Thompson has also fronted a number of bands including 'Bride', 'The World Will Burn', 'The Thomas Thompson Earth Project', 'Haunted No More', and 'We Are Resolute', 'Dabster Gentlemen', 'Iron 501', 'Sovereign Cross', 'Swingle & Thompson Ordained', 'Dominus Meus', and 'N.O.G.'(No Other God).
Not long after both Tiago James & Dale Thompson had come together, they contacted Derek Dorneles to fill the percussionist position as the band's drummer. With Derek now onboard, the newly formed three-piece band entered the studio to begin work on recording their first album. Later that same year, in 2018 the band stepped onto the Metal scene with the release of their debut full-length album titled 'The Reapers' on Retroactive Records. Their debut received rave reviews which helped Perpetual Paranoia gain traction within the Metal community. Just one year after their successful debut release, the band entered the studios to begin work on new material. In 2019 Perpetual Paranoia followed up with the release of their sophomore full-length album titled 'Between The Altar And The Cross' on Retroactive Records. This recording got the band rave reviews with their being a ton of diversity and progressive elements from beginning to end within their Thrash based arrangements. Two years after their sophomore album, The band showed no signs of stopping when they entered the studios once more to begin work on recording a new album.
California shredder-Tiago James de Souza joined forces with New Zealand based vocalist-Dale Thompson. If the name Tiago sounds familiar that's because he has already worked with a number of bands including 'Hand of Fire', 'The Thomas Thompson Earth Project, Godman, and BioGenesis. Over the years, Dale Thompson has also fronted a number of bands including 'Bride', 'The World Will Burn', 'The Thomas Thompson Earth Project', 'Haunted No More', and 'We Are Resolute', 'Dabster Gentlemen', 'Iron 501', 'Sovereign Cross', 'Swingle & Thompson Ordained', 'Dominus Meus', and 'N.O.G.'(No Other God).
Not long after both Tiago James & Dale Thompson had come together, they contacted Derek Dorneles to fill the percussionist position as the band's drummer. With Derek now onboard, the newly formed three-piece band entered the studio to begin work on recording their first album. Later that same year, in 2018 the band stepped onto the Metal scene with the release of their debut full-length album titled 'The Reapers' on Retroactive Records. Their debut received rave reviews which helped Perpetual Paranoia gain traction within the Metal community. Just one year after their successful debut release, the band entered the studios to begin work on new material. In 2019 Perpetual Paranoia followed up with the release of their sophomore full-length album titled 'Between The Altar And The Cross' on Retroactive Records. This recording got the band rave reviews with their being a ton of diversity and progressive elements from beginning to end within their Thrash based arrangements. Two years after their sophomore album, The band showed no signs of stopping when they entered the studios once more to begin work on recording a new album.
In 2021 Perpetual Paranoia released their third full-length studio album titled 'Hell Fest' on Retroactive Records. The album was produced by Tiago James and mixed & mastered by Juan Urteaga(Testament, Exodus, Machine Head). The album's cover art & graphics were done by Matheus Coelho at WM Design. Layout and design was managed by Scott Waters of 'No Life Til Metal'. The line up for 'Hell Fest' is comprised of frontman-Dale Thompson(Bride), guitarist/bassist-Tiago James de Souza(Hand Of Fire) and drummer-Johnny Mazza. In addition, the album features various guest musicians including vocalist-Michelle Braglia Rodovalho, guitarist-Carlos Osnaya, drummer-Derek Dorneles, and guitarist-Joe Moghrabi. (See below for guest musician specifics)
One thing that stands out about this release is how it combines rigid Thrash elements with melodic Heavy Metal giving the listener much more to enjoy within the arrangements. What the band has offered up is technical Thrash Metal that is here making its mark and helping to shape the future of Thrash Metal music.
One thing that stands out about this release is how it combines rigid Thrash elements with melodic Heavy Metal giving the listener much more to enjoy within the arrangements. What the band has offered up is technical Thrash Metal that is here making its mark and helping to shape the future of Thrash Metal music.
"Perpetual Paranoia takes my vocals into a whole new dynamic and I love the challenges that I have in this band. 'Hell Fest' certainly is one of those albums that a vocalist cannot go into lightly. The songs are rich with aggression and theatre and in this sort of metal arena I found myself digging deep in order not to only bring out the best performance but the passion I have about the message within the individual songs. Any fan of metal will find value in the finished work of 'Hell Fest' and hopefully the Spirit of the music and the intention why it was written and performed shines through." - Dale Thompson -
Tiago James de Souza(Hand Of Fire, Godman) manages the guitar section for Perpetual Paranoia. Yes, Tiago offers up plenty of Thrash oriented guitar play while taking Thrash Metal into new uncharted waters. Tiago adds spice to his Thrash riffs by adding many differing styles of melodic play along with some subtle Doom elements.
I must say that the drum work by Johnny Mazza definitely stands out on this 2021 release. Johnny lights things up with plenty of time changes and hammer poundin' Thrash style drummin' techniques which plays a big part in bringing this Retroactive project to life.
Lyrics are thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
"The Martyr"
You can take me to the gallows put a rope around my neck
Burn me at the stake or torture me to death
You can take all my money, my treasure is not of this earth
You can bruise me, abuse me, humiliate and use me for whatever it is worth
You can cast me into prison, curse me to my face
Throw me into a lions cage
I will bow to no man - I will suffer for my Christ
"I Talk To The Dead"
How do the masses lost and reckless discern where they belong?
They become the phantoms we see in strange light unable to communicate
or move from their frozen place.
(Death comes for us all) They are petitioned by dark forces
amused by the strange notions, destinations uncertain, the pulpit of grace still calls
I Talk To The Dead
What is the meaning of time? We are born, we live and we die.
And for many life is a horrible place.
Do you seek to be forgiven.
I Talk to The Dead (Blood Stains)
"Evil Eye"
That Evil Eye has sights on you
In the midnight moments, the clocks don't move
Evil Eye, you can't avoid fate.
Evil Eye, destiny awaits
Evil Eye has its sights on you
In the midnight moment, the clocks don't move
At the crossroads, stands Calvary
Only One thing going to set you free
Evil Eye.
"Is Death Coming For Me?"
The place of the skull is a place of death the fire of hell quenched
On the day we resurrect, there is no power in any other name
Where man can find his way through which man is saved
The dead know nothing they lay under ground until the horn
Of heaven sounds, that which was lost is found, that which was scattered is gathered
The wheat and tares grow together until the end
"Hell Fest"
All my friends will be there, turn up the heat, let the party begin
So I gave up eternity in paradise spent forever in sin
I don't want to sit on a cloud, I don't need redemption
All I need is more of what killed me
I lied, I cheated I fell short, I was defeated I was beaten I was confused
There is no drug I haven't used.
I had an excuse for everything, I pushed your Jesus out of the away and now
I am happy to be trapped in the flames for all eternity
"Win Or Lose"
I am worn and weathered Jesus help me get my life together
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of living God LIVING GOD!
Some do not care if they win or lose
Church bells ring in the vastness of their sensation
They just don't want to look the fool.
These are those that would trade their souls for coffee and a cigarette
"Come To Life"
All that was left of life was impotent despair
Moribund shadows phantoms as air
Like a vapor exhaled by the earth
We are on the threshold of good things
Mystery that smothered my soul
Out of my heart into the hands of Christ
Everything will come to life
You can take me to the gallows put a rope around my neck
Burn me at the stake or torture me to death
You can take all my money, my treasure is not of this earth
You can bruise me, abuse me, humiliate and use me for whatever it is worth
You can cast me into prison, curse me to my face
Throw me into a lions cage
I will bow to no man - I will suffer for my Christ
"I Talk To The Dead"
How do the masses lost and reckless discern where they belong?
They become the phantoms we see in strange light unable to communicate
or move from their frozen place.
(Death comes for us all) They are petitioned by dark forces
amused by the strange notions, destinations uncertain, the pulpit of grace still calls
I Talk To The Dead
What is the meaning of time? We are born, we live and we die.
And for many life is a horrible place.
Do you seek to be forgiven.
I Talk to The Dead (Blood Stains)
"Evil Eye"
That Evil Eye has sights on you
In the midnight moments, the clocks don't move
Evil Eye, you can't avoid fate.
Evil Eye, destiny awaits
Evil Eye has its sights on you
In the midnight moment, the clocks don't move
At the crossroads, stands Calvary
Only One thing going to set you free
Evil Eye.
"Is Death Coming For Me?"
The place of the skull is a place of death the fire of hell quenched
On the day we resurrect, there is no power in any other name
Where man can find his way through which man is saved
The dead know nothing they lay under ground until the horn
Of heaven sounds, that which was lost is found, that which was scattered is gathered
The wheat and tares grow together until the end
"Hell Fest"
All my friends will be there, turn up the heat, let the party begin
So I gave up eternity in paradise spent forever in sin
I don't want to sit on a cloud, I don't need redemption
All I need is more of what killed me
I lied, I cheated I fell short, I was defeated I was beaten I was confused
There is no drug I haven't used.
I had an excuse for everything, I pushed your Jesus out of the away and now
I am happy to be trapped in the flames for all eternity
"Win Or Lose"
I am worn and weathered Jesus help me get my life together
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of living God LIVING GOD!
Some do not care if they win or lose
Church bells ring in the vastness of their sensation
They just don't want to look the fool.
These are those that would trade their souls for coffee and a cigarette
"Come To Life"
All that was left of life was impotent despair
Moribund shadows phantoms as air
Like a vapor exhaled by the earth
We are on the threshold of good things
Mystery that smothered my soul
Out of my heart into the hands of Christ
Everything will come to life
Perpetual Paranoia is for fans of bands like Slayer, Kreator, Havok, and Celtic Frost. If you are looking to add some heavy Thrash Metal to your collection that is guaranteed to help dust off those ole speakers and possibly induce a mosh session or two then look no further than the latest release by Perpetual Paranoia. Get your copy of 'Hell Fest' today and help support Christian Metal music!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Dale Thompson(Bride) - Lead Vocals
Tiago James de Souza(Hand Of Fire, Godman) - Guitars, Bass
Johnny Mazza - Drums
Guest Musicians:
Carlos Osnaya - Guitar solo on "Hell Fest"
Joe Moghrab - Guitar solo on "Is Death Coming For Me"
Michelle Braglia Rodovalho - Vocals on "Is Death Coming For Me"
Derek Dorneles - Drums
Dale Thompson(Bride) - Lead Vocals
Tiago James de Souza(Hand Of Fire, Godman) - Guitars, Bass
Johnny Mazza - Drums
Guest Musicians:
Carlos Osnaya - Guitar solo on "Hell Fest"
Joe Moghrab - Guitar solo on "Is Death Coming For Me"
Michelle Braglia Rodovalho - Vocals on "Is Death Coming For Me"
Derek Dorneles - Drums