SCREETUS: Into The Ether (ALTERNATIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Could India be the new cradle of metal and progressive rock? It's not hard to wonder, given the abundance of quality releases from the near-continent. Remember the review a few weeks ago which highlighted the enormous qualities of Bloodywood with 'Rakshak'? Screetus are one of the bands to watch in the coming years. After pulling out all the stops just over three years ago with 'Auburn Garden', the Indian quartet are back with a full-length debut album.

"Into The Ether" lays the foundations of a progressive alternative rock undeniably influenced by the work of Steven Wilson and Opeth ("Damnation" side), drained by dark, tortured atmospheres. The mood here is one of melancholy and spleen, with a desperate side that would not be denied by the English genius or the talented Swedes. The atmospheres are ambivalent, alternating between dark synth and more nervous Porcupine Tree-style passages, right down to the sometimes very detached vocals. 'Into The Ether' is a good example of this. While the influence is obvious, it is nonetheless well digested.

The tracks take their time to develop, but they're not at all sterile, quite the contrary. The compositions are all well thought-out and varied enough to hold your attention from start to finish. One of the most convincing examples is 'Alone', which detaches itself a little from the Porcupine Tree influence to add an interesting alternative touch from a melodic point of view. The song appears a little simpler in its writing, with a symphonic touch that allows Screetus to assert his own personality. The guitar solo that accompanies the track is very well done.

The album isn't very cheerful, to say the least, given the subjects it deals with (death, suicide, loneliness). However, "Into The Ether" doesn't lapse into pathos, and its acoustic lulls lighten the mood ('Circle 7') in this ambient darkness. Pink Floyd and 'Wish You Were Here' also come to mind at times, particularly on the instrumental 'Green', which gives way to the music and thus to imagination and contemplation. The progressive side of things is not forgotten, with tracks that bring their share of well-timed breaks, such as the 8-minute 'Slipstream', which has an almost hard rock tone and where the percussion takes over a little more. One minor regret is that more traditional instruments have not been included, which could have been an interesting avenue to explore.

"Into The Ether" is certainly cradled by numerous influences, but all are magnificently integrated, undoubtedly serving this proposition around death - be it physical or moral. With a little more personality, there's no doubt that Screetus will become a staple of progressive alt rock in the years to come. - Official website

SCREETUS

INTO THE ETHER

AUTRE LABEL

ALTERNATIVE ROCK