Review Summary: Sunterra have produced a solid EP, sticking to their gothic metal origins and experimenting with electronic music.
Sunterra are back after a long album hiatus with their powerful EP titled Reborn. The six tracks delivered by the Viennese quartet are a testament to their evolving sound, which is infused with electronic elements, but without straying too far away from their industrial/gothic metal roots.
The opening track Reign Supreme grabs the listener by the scruff of the neck and demands their attention. It’s a high energy song where Carlos’ growling voice works in tandem with Lilly’s melancholic female vocals. The fast-paced guitar riffs and the drum-line drive the track forward.
Shadow in The Dark starts off as a beautiful melodic piano song, providing a platform for the female singer to showcase her vocal abilities. It doesn’t take long to realise that this is the lull before the storm. The male lead vocalist takes full control of the track and all hell breaks loose.
Sunterra’s sound is defined by mixing the opposing qualities of brutal, snarling aggressive vocals with dark, melancholic female vocals. It’s something that works perfectly well in the third track of Reborn, Lord of Lies, which is one of the standout tracks thanks to its solid and meaningful lyrics.
The heavy chugging guitars and the bashing drums are in full swing on Ministry of Thoughts. This Orwellian titled song is the best in the EP with its music and lyrics creating a dystopian, gloomy atmosphere.
Shut Up!!! is the only song that falls short in this EP with the lyrics getting a little repetitive and the music not exploring new territory.
As the songs begin to blend together, you get the sense that Sunterra have produced a solid EP, sticking to their gothic metal origins and experimenting with electronic music.
