Perpetual Rage have been a going concern for a while now, releasing simple but entertaining old-school metal along the way. However, their lineup received a notable shakeup around 2022 with long-time vocalist Tomi Viiltola and drummer Kari Hyvärinen stepping away, so I was curious how that'd impact their sound. As it turns out, despite being an odd title for a fourth full-length, The Beginning serves less as a restart for the band and more a declaration of rebirth.

Musically, this still works in good old-fashioned heavy metal, but darker, denser, and more melodic than before. Petri's riffs are as sharp and memorable as ever, and his solos blistering and precise, but it's the new members that steal the spotlight here. New singer Juha Pulkkinen doesn't lose an inch to Viiltola and fits the band's new direction like a leather glove, here giving a commanding performance with power and emotion to spare as he soars through anthemic choruses and digs into a rougher approach in heavier sections. Drummer Ikka Tarvainen is the real revelation, however, bringing a fresh dynamic to the band with his precise and aggressive style that is filled with personality. Of course, everyone is given room to shine thanks to some tight and cohesive songwriting, and tracks like opener "My Angels Breathing Fire," "Void of Unlight," "In Repentance," and album closer "Wild Things Die Last" showcase a band confidently evolving without compromising their identity.

Perpetual Rage have had a loyal following in Finland for years, but The Beginning could be, well, the beginning of the band pushing beyond those borders into the wider underground. It's mature without losing bite, bold without losing their old heart, and sounds like a band in complete control of their craft. Here's to them raging on for many years to come.