Last year, mysterious synth rockers ZETRA took the metal world by storm with their self-titled debut album, “Zetra.” This year, they are following it up with the moody 5-track EP “Believe,” thus continuing their upwards trajectory. The EP was released on August 22nd, 2025, via Nuclear Blast and proves that the success of the album wasn’t a fluke, but rather the beginning of an exciting musical journey.
It’s not easy to come up with such a fresh and riveting yet deeply atmospheric sound that would cause a tidal wave on the metal scene, but fortune favors the bold (as the saying goes), and ZETRA are still riding that wave created by their debut album. Their key to success lies in the juxtaposition of breathy, homey-sweet vocals with thundering drums, some sharp guitars, and an ethereal synth-driven ambiance. Sounds like a one-and-done formula that invites repetition (or even stagnation), but the songwriting of this British duo is much more nuanced than that, adding heaviness or subtracting it, expanding on the atmosphere of dialing up on the melodies, so that each song has its own ambiance within the sound design of the EP (and by extension their discography).
For this EP, they opted for a heftier sound that only complements their musical vision while making the songs sound bigger and fuller. The anthemic opener, “The Angel Cries,” is a rather heavy number with layers of melody and a darker, electronic edge countering the drums and groovy guitars, while the vocals float atop the instrumentals, giving the song a surreal vibe. This is exactly the type of music that bewitched the listeners from the start, but somehow this track sounds even bigger and bolder than their earlier outings. Up next, single “So” leans more into their atmospheric, hazy side as sparking synth melodies and ethereal vocals lift up the song even if the drums and grungy guitars try to keep it grounded in heavier sounds. It’s a wonderful push and pull that ultimately strikes a perfect balance of moodiness and heft.
On the other hand, the whimsical nature and vibrant soundscape of “The Spider” enhance the eclectic feel of this EP, while the heavier guitars complement the incredibly catchy chorus. This track is such good fun, it’s impossible not to get you moving or put you in a good mood as its dance-friendly rhythm is an open invitation that shouldn’t go unanswered. This track is counterbalanced by the melancholy and wistful “Find Me” that quickly morphs into a dreamscape delight carried by delicate synths and more ethereal, airy vocals. They have perfected this juxtaposition of moods and sounds to a science at this point.
It is this precise sense of playing with light and shadows in the way the songs flow from one to the other that elevates this EP. As such, it is only normal that the closing track be a heavier song, no? Well, their majestic cover of KITTIE’s “Charlotte,” which features Justine Jones (EMPLOYED TO SERVE) on growls, is the proverbial icing on the cake. It’s heavy, it’s atmospheric, it’s moody, and it rounds up the EP in style. (On the band’s Bandcamp, the EP actually has an additional instrumental song – split into four parts – that adds an aura of mystery and darkness to the fold).
All-in-all, with “Believe” ZETRA are not only reaching for the stars but actually collecting them and presenting them in the form of five ghostly anthems that will sparkle with vibrant shades of gray if ever performed live. Truly, these songs are a testament to ZETRA’s creativity and desire to expand on their sound by adding melody but with sacrificing their signature hazy, dreamlike ambiance in the process. It’s a delicate balance that they have threaded with surgical precision on this EP offering an enticing glimpse into what their sophomore album could sound like.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
- The Angel Cries
- So
- The Spider
- Find Me
- Charlotte (Kittie Cover)
Lineup
- Adam Saunderson – guitar and vocals
- Jordan Page – synthesizers and vocals
Label
Nuclear Blast Records
