Review Summary: The world of post rock can be finicky, and for that, it’s all the better.
Hailing from Ukraine, Septa marks an interesting array of simple alternate rock and commercial post metal. Sure, that doesn’t exactly give you a whole range of information, but it’s important to realise that there’s way more going on here that can be explained with a simple outburst of words.
The Lover is a moody, almost progressive sample of talent to be found from this four piece, contrasted not only at a primal level but also in the instrumental technicality that’s not noticed on a first listen. The biggest selling point of the record is how even it actually is. Not only does the vocal phrasing spread across spaced melodies, it convolutes into swirling harsh tones, setting up a rather atmospheric - to an almost psychedelic listen. It’s hard to find an album that can use an array of tones without creating an over-bearing listen, especially in today’s modern setting.
The Lover is not only a prime example of how quality music can be achieved without flaunting a desire to be completely different from other acts, but it also sets the bar for up and coming acts entering the complexity of the band’s genre.
The Lover is quite a short outburst of emotion, but the record becomes all the more cohesive due to its brevity. Sure some flaws emerge but they are minimal in effect and more-or-less goes on unnoticed. As excellently placed as the vocals are, they lack force when being aggressive, and a certain technique for the croons that dominate the spacey progressive feel for the album. Septa are quite an unknown enigma. They’re not unique, but they are far from your normal copycat act. What sets this act further apart from some of the similar acts in the genre, is the fact they the band will not conform to one sound, experimenting into post and progressive metal, varying screams and strained cleans. Septa ensure that there’s always something new for the listener to take in. Simplistic ideas lead to enhanced atmospherics, creatively leading into a sonic assault on the listeners’ mind’s eye. The album is artistic, highlighted by the sensual artwork that wraps the music inside. Its smooth edges hide the rough spikes, surprising the listener and creating an interest not normally predicted with such a release.
The album’s opener, “12th” excellently presents Septa’s case for post rock/metal ascendancy. Here the contrasts come quick and welcome each transition before shifting into an ambivalent, atmospheric building bridge section. This track opens a can of worms for the band, expressing a desire to blend emotion seamlessly with sound that is continued throughout the record. Highlighting this thirty-five minute album is the leading single, “Enter the Butterflies”. Not only does this track find itself twisting the foundations of the opening track but it also becomes heavily tilted. It’s not a typical listening experience. The minimalistic loftiness of the album is punctuated by great structuring and contrasting awareness.
Overall, Septa’s
The Lover is a fresh albeit not unique listen. An album like this certainly has its charms but may find itself being hit or miss for the general listening community, especially considering the likes of Deftones or Boss-de-Nage who have their own distinct sounds in this genre field, may surpass Septa on an almost daily level. As a whole, this shouldn’t be over-looked simply because they’re other acts. For 2013,
The Lover is quite a hit, though it may not win any “Best Of” awards, it is sure to turn the attention onto this act from the Ukraine.
