Review Summary: We almost had it all…
Progressive bands tend to have a habit of creating drawn out, elaborate, and sophisticated songs. In many cases, it works well. Contrarily,
San Seraph is here to show that simple instrumentation, straightforward vocals, and a little experimentation go a long way.
Let’s get this out of the way now, if you are looking for prog with amazing technical instrumentation, just leave this page now: however you would be missing out on some very relaxing and beautiful music. Armed with not much more than guitar and vocal melodies, Sans Seraph deliver a beautiful and emotional work of art. What they lack in technical presentation, they make up for in raw emotion. The vocals are light, fluid, and smooth, yet have a sense of urgency with the lyrics. It would not be far from the truth to say that the only special part of the album is the vocals but in saying that, you take away the effect that the simple guitar and synth in the background have on them.
As mentioned before, there is not much to say about the instruments, besides the fact that they back up the vocals perfectly. However the lyrics seem to have a recurring theme. Every song seems to deal with depression or feeling alone; for example the repeating line “Is anyone out there?” in the song
Short Ride. But that is just scratching the surface of the sadness and loneliness on here. The album seems to progress deeper into depression as it goes on.
“With the Greatest of Ease” closes the album as an almost ten minute song. It is though it is the light at the end of the tunnel, yet still retaining the possibility of being stuck in the depth of depression. It leaves the listener thinking about the lyrics, which is always a good thing. The album is not very instrumentally original, but it doesn’t have to be. It serves its purpose as a lyrical and emotional vessel, and one cannot ask for more.
