Serotonal - The Futility Of Trying To Avoid The Unavoidable (Mini-CD)
Metal Breath Production

file under gothic metal

Vera: Darren White is the only (ex) Anathema member I never reviewed or met. After a few albums with The Blood Divine we heard more about him as a cosmopolitan travelling around the world than as a musician. He was signed in India, later he popped up in Australia where he did some guest vocals for The Eternal and there was another obscure project called Dead Men Dream. Since some time the name Serotonal loomed up and ‘The End Of Everything’ in 2004 was the first sign of life of that. Gary Hill and Jon Francis-White sent some recordings to Darren and he enjoyed writing lyrics for it. Back in England vocals were recorded.

After the release of ‘The End Of Everything’ drummer Simon Monkhouse joined the band. They worked on new songs in Gary’s studio and three songs one can find on this EP. ‘Chosen Words’ opens with Kraftwerk’s ‘Autobahn’ synthesizer sounds, followed by restless, passionate vocals. Later on drums and guitars join in and the song gets more body. It is dark music, interwoven by life’s experiences. ‘Ravine’ invokes the memory of slow songs of The God Machine, with acoustic guitars and some contemplative piano notes. The song has a Pink Floyd-ish outro with soaring keyboards. We dig a bit deeper into inner thoughts with ‘All You’ll Ever See’, a song we can easily call dark wave with its enigmatic vocals, relentless ticking clock and penetrating guitars that feature the second part. The general penchant of these three songs surely has any affinity with Antimatter by its tormented expression.

Metal Breath Production releases the EP with two extra tracks, previously only available by downloading. ‘You Can Love Again’ still showcases some Anathema elements. It is a passionate gothic song, but vocals are not always that superb. Unremitting new wave influences of Echo & The Bunnymen and The Sound. There is a kind of switch when only introvert piano notes remain with whispering and mixed in the background vocals, but it has a powerful continuation. From the sixth minute on we have some spatial escapades.

Considering the first three tracks, Serotonal sure is a band to cherish. They are writing new material now and if this goes on the same way as the first three tracks one may speak of a seminal band. A full length album with new bass player will be recorded later this year. Unless Darren feels the need to hit the road again of course.

Rating 89/100 (details)

http://www.serotonal.co.uk