What is it with metal and clichéd piano introductions? A standard procedure for any rookie rockers, it seems almost as if you’re not ‘heavy enough’ unless you throw in a relaxed, blatant, quiet guitar juxtaposition. Self proclaimed ‘Metal Heads with a collective love of heavy guitar music’ (Really? Metalheads who listen to heavy music? Who could have possibly guessed?!), SEETHE are Milton Keynes’ answer to the likes of Bullet For My Valentine, Escape The Fate and suchlike.
In a valiant attempt at producing hazardously heavy riffs worthy of any media-sycophantic metal troupe, Seethe have failed miserably. Less Metallica, more a fifteen year old messing up ‘Creeping Death’ on his first Squier, it’s the abundance of overused melodies and recycled tones that really set ‘All Or Nothing‘ up for imminent failure. Tracks such as ‘Strength to Strength’ really, in fact, demonstrate a lack thereof. Boasting about as much strength and power as Top Cat at a waistcoat convention, it’s a feeble attempt at the much sought after ‘tough guy’ persona and never quite pushes it past teenage angst.
Title track ‘All or Nothing‘ sets an unfortunate ultimatum for the group and suggests that the latter is probably a more suitable decision in regards to this uninspired EP. Perhaps another stab at blind aggression, it follows suit with a predictable formula and structure. As ‘Battle Scars’ draws the release to a close following twenty long minutes, it’s safe to say that Seethe are not the first band of such ilk to offend with such menial monstrosity and they certainly won’t be the last.
OLIVIA JAREMI