South African rock band Seether are back with their ninth studio album, The Surface Seems So Far via Fantasy Records. 

On The Surface Seems So Far, Seether do what they do best—good ol’ powerful Rock and Roll. There aren’t many surprises on this album; it’s 2000s-esque radio rock that sounds just like any fan would expect it to. While some will appreciate the nostalgic drive and the band’s persistence in sticking to their roots, others may find it stale and repetitive. If one thing’s for sure, it’s that Seether hold a dedication to keeping their brand of Rock alive for as long as possible. 

Kicking off with “Judas Mind,” a gloomy guitar line erupts into booming distortion, clashing cymbals and scorching wah effects. The first heavy vocals are heard three minutes in, as vocalist Shaun Morgan delivers a call-and-response bridge between his clean melodies and fierce screams.“Beneath The Veil” is driven by catchy clean arpeggios that transform into a blistering riff for the chorus, as Morgan sings passionately of pain hidden behind a veil. 

While the album falls short on surprises overall, “Semblance Of Me” wields some searing screams with little to no warning. This was a pleasant surprise that the track would have benefited from having more of, even if just carried on for the background of the final chorus. That vocal contrast makes such a substantial difference when included, that the lack of it on so much of the record feels like a missed opportunity.

The album sounds more same-y as it goes on, with the closing track “Regret” being the most memorable of the second half. This is due to its slow-burning dynamics, building layers up until its climax—a slight departure from the clean-guitar-verse and distorted-guitar-chorus formula the majority of the record uses.

The steadfast commitment Seether has to their old-school sound can be both a blessing and a curse—while it may hinder their growth as artists, their unwavering passion for what they do is still held in high respect to this day. Regardless of trends and the evolution of rock over the years, Seether firmly sticks to their guns and what they’ve always loved.

Buy the album here:
https://amzn.to/3ZvYZW2

6 / 10
COLLEEN KANOWSKY