James Kent, based in Paris, has released several records since 2012 under the name Perturbator. His music under this moniker can be loosely defined as synthwave but, in reality, Perturbator’s evades such straightforward categorisation. Incorporating elements of early synth-based music, as well techno, gothic rock, ambient music, and metal, Perturbator has been compared to Kraftwerk, John Carpenter, and Nine Inch Nails, amongst many others.

With Lustful Sacraments, Perturbator’s fifth full-length album, Kent explores “bad habits, dissatisfaction, and addiction” and “how we, as a species, lean towards self-destruction”. In serving this theme, Kent continues to meld eclectic stylistic influences in the service of an emotionally cohesive whole. Structured around a core foundation of heavy electronic beats and magnificently vast synth textures, the record also makes use of jangling guitars reminiscent of bands like The Sisters of Mercy. Kent’s gloomy gothic croon is used sparingly but to brilliantly dismal effect. Lustful Sacraments leans in whatever direction it needs to at any particular time; at one moment it feels like 80s new wave, and at the next it shifts to four-to-the-floor EDM. The synthetic drum sounds vary from tight and punchy dance kicks to huge 80s-inspired industrial snares. All of the record’s sonic iterations, however, work in collaboration to lead the listener towards the pervading mood: a kind of urgent melancholy — bleak, but suffused with a hopeful longing. 

Deep and evocative atmosphere is at the heart of Lustful Sacraments but, in spite of not really following a verse / chorus structure, the record is also awash with melody. Although the vocals are usually understated and subdued, various rich and virile synths often rise to the fore with powerful and haunting refrains. The guitars also steal the main focus for much of the time with their catchy reverb-drenched patterns. 

Several guests feature on Lustful Sacraments, all of whom all credited according to their artist names, even if said artist is a band consisting of several members. Maniac 2121 provides vocals on “Excess” and “Dethroned Under a Funeral Haze”, True Body adds vocals, additional synths and guitars to “Secret Devotion”, BELIAL provides vocals on “Death of the Soul”, and Hangman’s Chair sings on “God Says”. Most of these guest contributions are subsumed into the overall production rather than being highlighted in an obvious way. As such, it’s not always immediately clear which parts are being provided by the guests. That observation is not intended to diminish the guests’s contributions — if anything it is testament to Kent’s artistic vision that he can bring in other musicians to so seamlessly augment his own creative aims. The exception here is album closer “God Says”, on which the beautifully fragile vocals of Hangman’s Chair have a notably different singing style and are a wonderful key feature of the whole record.

The album is consistently powerful as is moves through its stylistic shifts and dynamic changes. Particularly excellent points include the beginning of the title track – a shoegaze-meets-gothic techno tour de force, the sublimely rickety guitar melodies and manic beats of “Excess”, the doom-laden melodic melancholy of “Dethroned Under a Funeral Haze”, and the sorrowful and terrifyingly huge ending to “Messalina, Messalina”.

With Lustful Sacraments, James Kent has further advanced his ability to synthesise diverse influences in the creation of new languages to express universal emotions. We know what to feel even though we haven’t quite heard it expressed in this way before. Like many of the best “dark” albums, this record provides an experience that seems to allow us to face some of our negative emotions in such a way that we can begin to transcend or at least accept them. “Self-destruction” in the traditional sense may be a hopeless concept, but perhaps the idea of eschewing the “self” could actually help to lead us towards collective salvation? Regardless of whether that’s what James Kent was alluding to, listening to Perturbator can certainly be inspiring and uplifting in spite of the negative subject matter. This is a deeply evocative and emotionally powerful album that rises above genre conventions and should be heard by everyone who appreciates dark and intense music. 

Lustful Sacraments is out now via Blood Music on CD, cassette, double LP, and as a digital download. Buy the album here: http://www.blood-music.com/store

9 / 10

DUNCAN EVANS