Album Review: Perturbator – Age Of Aquarius (Nuclear Blast Records)

The sixth and latest Perturbator album, ‘Age of Aquarius’ – James Kent’s first for the renowned metal label Nuclear Blast – explores how individualism, conflict, and war are interrelated and dominant societal forces. It is out on October 10th, 2025.

There are few dark electronic music acts who crossover in the way that Perturbator does. Having well and truly broken away from the synthwave scene, while retaining retro-inspired aspects, the artist’s ability to transcend genres is ever so inspiring. Here, on Age of Aquarius, fans of EBM, synth, new wave, industrial, and metal will find themselves in comfortable places.

Collaborations are a keys component of this record, and one such inspired example is the opener, Apocalypse Now. Where Norwegian metal titan Kristoffer Rygg (Ulver) delivers vocals in his inimitable way, helping this track take on a retro-electro-goth guise. Shortly after, it’s Author & Punisher who joins and helps create a vibrant, synth heavy, moody experience with Venus. Then, later, the talented Greta Link delivers a haunting performance on the starry drama of Lady Moon, and Alcest helps close out the album with the affecting melodies, light and airy, of the title track. At least until it starts to take on a ‘blacker’ form. Trust me, it will make sense once you hear it.

These are the tracks with guests, offering up unforgettable, varied experiences that stay with you long afterwards.

But what about the rest?

To what should be the surprise of no-one who knows what Perturbator is capable of, there are some stunning efforts to be found elsewhere. Least of all, the energised industrial thwomp of Lunacy, which does impossible things with synth and makes weirdness so damn addictive. Though the challenging sound that The Glass Staircase showcases can proudly share that distinction too.

Then there is the short and sweet Hangover Square, a dive into the atmospheric unknown, giving off a Vangelis feel as it goes on, before transforming into something downright worrisome and deeply dramatic. It is very cool, but so is The Art of War and 12th House, with the former showcasing electronica power, and the latter showcasing industrial wildness. Sitting comfortably together, and both proving to be as addictive as everything heard so far.

Speaking of addictive qualities though. How about a track with a vein of atmospheric horror and sci-fi to it? That’s the John Carpenter stylings of The Swimming Pool, and it’s intense. Before Mors Ultima Ratio caps off another enlightening Perturbator listen with something downright video game-esque. It will get you so hyped, but as is so often the case with both Perturbator and this album, it’s all about the detail and it will take many more listens to unpack it all.

Perturbator – Age of Aquarius Track Listing:

1. Apocalypse Now (ft. Ulver)
2. Lunacy
3. Venus (ft. Author & Punisher)
4. The Glass Staircase
5. Hangover Square
6. The Art of War
7. 12th House
8. Lady Moon (ft. Greta Link)
9. The Swimming Pool
10. Mors Ultima Ratio
11. Age of Aquarius (ft. Alcest)

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