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Since signing with Nuclear Blast Records, enigmatic synth rockers ZETRA have been on nothing but an upwards trajectory, with no signs of that stopping any time soon. The duo released their self titled debut album on the label last year and have returned with an even bolder release in the form of its follow up, the Believe EP.
With an even grander execution of sound and outlook, ZETRA are really reaching for the stars and have created a small collection of ready made anthems with Believe, anthems that are ready made for the live stage, but equally as mesmerising as on record, we’ve you choose to listen to it.
Having bewitched this years Download festival, just as they have done to the likes of ArcTangGent and Bloodstock in recent years, the bands music live is an experience in itself and they replicate that magnetism with the songs on here, which definitely bodes well for future live shows.
Believe launches with the anthemic The Angel Cries, and the bands synth heavy sound is in full effect. Not only that but it sounds bigger and bolder from the get go. As you listen, you get the feeling that the songs on Believe are even more eclectic than what ZETRA have done before and the shoegaze meets grunge meets synth grandeur (almost like a SMASHING PUMPKINS/SLOWDIVE synth led hybrid) of So amplifies that feeling immediately and the quality continues in a life affirming fashion.
The Spider has big GARY NEWMAN/TUBEWAY ARMY vibes while still retaining that ZETRA vision and sounds all the better for it. Find Me adds an initially melancholy acoustic feel but this soon morphs into a hazy, dreamlike state and it sees sublime synths take you to another place throughout.
The EP’s centrepiece however, lies at the very end, with the vast and majestic Charlotte. By far, the heaviest thing on the EP, the song features Justine Jones from the mighty EMPLOYED TO SERVE (which is great to see considering the connection with ZETRA dealing earlier material on the equally as mighty Church Road records.
With the track split into four parts (i. Shards Of Power, ii. A Queen Ascends, iii. The Order’s Decree and iv. The Final Rest), the scope that ZETRA excite here is inspiring and it’s a match made in heaven, supremely delivered and a fine way to conclude the EP all at once
Believe is a tantalising glimpse into what ZETRA will do next and you can guarantee that whatever it is, it’s going to be big, it’s going to be bold and it will be done in a online fashion, the way that ZETRA have always done things. Believe in ZETRA, it’s the only way to go.
Rating: 8/10
Believe is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.
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The post EP REVIEW: Believe – Zetra appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
