Review: Seether: ‘Wasteland – The Purgatory EP’

Coming hot on the heels of Seether’s ninth album, the acclaimed ‘Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum’ – which translates as “If you want peace, prepare for war”, but all you Latin speakers already knew that? C’mon, even Jacob Rees-Mogg knew that one – is this rather lovely 5-track EP based around the ‘Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum’ album track ‘Wasteland’. And like the parent album, ‘Wasteland – The Purgatory EP’ is of the same high quality that has made Seether one of the most consistent bands out there for some time now.

Two very different versions of ‘Wasteland’ bookend the EP, the original album version opens up proceedings and still packs the same almighty punch that it did late last year when it was first released (Shaun Morgan’s scream on 2:50 minutes still stops the listener in their tracks), but it’s the alternative version of the same track that takes the winners podium here. Mostly acoustic-driven – but without that sense of “here we go again, another band with acoustic guitars” that blights so many acoustic tracks – it is a slow-burning thing of beauty. With a wonderfully restrained vocal performance from Morgan, where a deep breath replaces the scream from the original, the alternative version is the ultimate example of a band not being in a rush and just seeing where the song takes them: in this case, on a journey so laidback that it is practically horizontal.

In between both versions of ‘Wasteland’ are three never-heard-before tracks that are worthy enough to have been included on ‘Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum’, and certainly don’t deserve to be classed as filler in much the same way as “special edition bonus tracks” often do. First up is ‘What Would You Do?’, an emotional tale of regret, and a great example of how a track can be heavy without actually being wooooargh heavy, and if you happened to chance upon the track on a Spotify playlist, you could be forgiven that it was some deep cut from Nirvana. ‘Will It Ever End?’ is an uber-trippy few minutes that, in certain places, might just spark some comparisons with ‘Dear Prudence’ (both the original version and the flawless cover from Siouxsie and the Banshees), although it is the sudden change in tact and pace around 2:26 minutes – where drummer John Humphrey takes over and puts in a performance that can only be described as sublime – that creates the biggest “fuck-yeah” moment and lingers on long after the track fades out. The last of the three new tracks is ‘Feast Or Famine’, a beast of a track complete with a killer, snarling guitar sound and a mix of dark, brooding vocals and huge hooks from Shaun Morgan, on a track that would not sound out of place on a DC soundtrack.

If ever anyone needed further evidence that Seether are both one of the most consistent bands out there, as well as one of the most under-appreciated, then ‘Wasteland – The Purgatory EP’ is the perfect example to give. Classy from start to finish.

Purchase information, here.

Wasteland – The Purgatory EP Special Edition Vinyl Out October 22nd Pre-Order Here

SEETHER Currently on Tour with 3 Doors Down; Tickets On Sale Here

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