There’s enough room under the heavy metal skies for everyone, and the fact that mysterious synth-rock duo ZETRA have already gained some degree of prestige is proof of that. Since its inception in 2018, the band has released several EPs, signed with Nuclear Blast Records, and toured with the likes of VV (Ville Valo), GODFLESH, UNTO OTHERS, or SKYND. On September 13th, 2024, they have released their eponymous debut album, “Zetra,” and let me tell you that this full-length lives up to the hype (spoiler alert).
Moving between an ethereal, synth-driven ambiance, beautifully layered and harmonized vocals that have a hazy quality to them, and some guitar riffs à la TYPE O NEGATIVE that add weight and heaviness to the fold, their music has an otherworldly quality to it that brings to mind BLACKBRIAR’s brand of Gothic metal. However, the Brits pull their influences from different directions, most notably shoegaze, synth-pop, new wave, and Goth-metal which gives their music a haunting and mystical aura that is easily recognizable as ZETRA. This confidence in their musical vision and unique style may be the reason why the band decided to release their debut as a self-titled album, and thus announce to the world that this weird mix of sounds and moods is what they are all about.
To create such an immersive and mesmerizing sonic universe as ZETRA so seemingly effortlessly have done on this record is no small feat. The ten shimmering tracks presented on “Zetra” are so lush in textures and rich in nuances of grey that the listeners are left with no choice but to get totally lost in them. Dramatic opener “Suffer Eternally” is quite a distorted Goth-pop number with rumbling guitars and programmed drums that contrast with the light and breathy vocals in a way that only enhances their intangible quality. Released in November 2023, the single, “Sacrifice,” boasts some of the best melodies on this whole album with a line such as “Do you feel my hunger?” still haunting me even in my sleep. This is a vocally driven gem of a song, with a beautiful synth melody playing in the background and adding to its ethereal ambiance.
The spellbinding atmosphere of “Starfall” is only maximized by the layered screams of Serena Cherry (SVALBARD) which work surprisingly well beneath the main vocals. The fact that her vocals sound like echoes because they are lower in the mix is what gives the track an eerie quality as well as a distant sense of aggression. Acting as a counterpoint to the epicness of “Starfall” are the more restrained and subdued “The Mirror” and “Shatter the Mountain” where the vocals are more grounded and less airy, and the moods are somewhat gloomier. There’s a sweeping beauty to the arrangements that, coupled with the dreamy ambiance, makes these bunch of songs highlights of the album. Moreover, the added harmonized vocals of Sólveig Matthildur (KAELAN MIKLA) on “Shatter the Mountain” give this particular track a wonderful richness of sound and textures, it’s impossible to resist its charms.
Talking about irresistible soundscapes, “Holy Malice (Annabel)” is one of the most magnetic and bewitching tracks on this album, with haunting vocals and layers of gleaming synths that make it feel like the melodies are floating somewhere in the firmament, closer to the heavens than to the human world, while the droning guitars and drums ground it in heavier sounds. The gentle “Inseparable” has a great but subtle guitar melody rumbling in the background that complements the darker vocals in the verses because the chorus is once again light like a feather with the sparkling synths creating an ethereal atmosphere. On the other hand, “Gaia” steps into arena rock territory boasting a faint GHOST vibe, as it neatly balances between the darker vocals in the verse and the lightness of the chorus.
This musical yin and yang is the cornerstone of the album and is especially evident in the 6-minute epic “Moonfall” where the breezy ambiance and hazy vocals are juxtaposed by thundering guitars and a spoken-word passage from Gabriel Franco (UNTO OTHERS) that adds depth to and nuances to the fold while the synths give it a very serene and tranquil vibe. Magnificent closer “Miracle” has some pulsing synths that give it a futuristic vibe while the mid-tempo rhythm and melodic chorus move it along at a steady pace.
It’s not every day that we witness the emergence of a band with such a clear vision and a skillset to match but I guess the series of EPs they released have done their job of ironing out the kinks and helping them establish this enveloping atmospheric, Gothic sound that is the backbone of “Zetra.” This type of music may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but one thing is for sure: their worldbuilding is impressive, to say the least. ZETRA have managed to craft a shadowy yet promising debut album that, in between the poppy melodies and the beautiful ambiances, is bound to leave an indelible impression, especially upon the lovers of dark, moody, and mysterious music.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
- Suffer Eternally
- Sacrifice
- Starfall (feat. Serena Cherry)
- The Mirror
- Shatter the Mountain (feat. Sólveig Matthildur)
- Holy Malice (Annabel)
- Inseparable
- Gaia
- Moonfall (feat. Gabriel Franco)
- Miracle
Lineup
Adam – guitar and vocals
Jordan – synthesizers and vocals
Label
Nuclear Blast Records
