Waking Iris Embraces Imperfection with Grit and Grace on New Single “Perfect”

Fresh out of the underground scene in Kivenlahti, Finland, Waking Iris returns with their second single, “Perfect,” a moody, guitar-driven anthem that delves into the emotional wreckage of infidelity. Led by Canadian vocalist and songwriter Brian Forth, the track marks a striking emotional departure from their high-octane debut “Rock Forever,” released in May, showcasing the band’s range and growing depth.

Written in the aftermath of Forth’s divorce, “Perfect” isn’t a song of blame or bitterness, it’s a somber acknowledgment of what it means to accept life’s imperfections. “Rather than wallow in self-pity, I wanted to write something that made peace with the reality that nothing is perfect in the end,” Forth shares. That emotional maturity resonates through the band’s searing guitar riffs, melancholic melodies, and a vocal performance that burns with both regret and release.

Backed by Finnish rock veterans, Waking Iris blends ’80s melodic rock with the grit of ’90s grunge. Lead guitarist Tim Norrgrann (Gtarzee) delivers soaring solos and layered textures, while Reda Kramdi’s dynamic drumming and Ilkka Pättiniemi’s pulsing bass lines drive the emotional weight forward. Pauliina Järvisalo’s keyboards add atmosphere and melodic nuance, rounding out the band’s sound with cinematic flair.

The track was recorded across borders, partly at Soundwell Studio in Finland with Valtteri Kallio, and at Stockholm’s Groundzero Studios with Swedish producers Joakim Hillson and Johan Öberg, who also handled mixing duties. Final mastering was completed by Tomas Caris Andersson at Carisma Studio in Sweden, giving “Perfect” a polished yet raw edge.

With “Perfect,” Waking Iris proves they’re not just another rock revival act, they’re a band unafraid to show vulnerability through volume, and heartache through harmony. As they continue to evolve, this single cements their place as one of Helsinki’s most compelling new rock exports.