With a touch of annoyance that we missed their debut album three years back we can only urge you to check out Syteria through its successor, Reflection. That irritation stems from the fact that the band’s new full-length is rock ‘n’ roll at its virulent best; a spirit rousing, feel good release fertile in energy, fun, and creative agility.
Formed in 2015, Syteria is the brainchild of Girlschool lead guitarist Jackie ‘Jax’ Chambers. With Argentina born vocalist Julia Vocal and bassist Keira Kenworthy alongside, the band released the Wake Up EP in 2016 its permanent line-up completed later that year with drummer Pablo Calvo, the younger brother of Julia. A successful Pledge campaign in 2017 saw their broadly acclaimed debut album Rantobot born, its success leading to numerous festival and show opportunities. Last year saw Steph Dawson (Scream Of Sirens) replace the departing Keira on bass and the Yorkshire based band work on Reflections whose release now leaves an indelible mark on 2020.
Album opener, Make Some Noise, pretty much sums up the character of Reflection in its title though the album’s moniker echoes the lyrical prowess emulating in its look at the world and more intimate explorations. The song initially entices with a potent strand from Jackie’s guitar before rhythms and melodic hooks entangle ears in their own bait. Julia’s instantly captivating tones come potently backed by the 4 part harmonies which make up the first of the album’s irresistible choruses. A mix of pop rock, metal and punk, the track swiftly and instantly got under the skin to swiftly be joined by so many of its following companions.
Goodbye World follows and quickly shares eighties new wave like infectiousness, an insistent catchiness which never dilutes its temptation even as hard rock instincts bring the track further alive before another viral chorus is uncaged while the album’s title track bounds in with an insatiable rock ‘n’ roll appetite and rhythmic swing which alone had spirit and body bouncing. Again melodies and hooks almost deviously tempt and arouse, the band’s harmonies just as manipulative and galvanic as Julia’s words share knowing support.
The spidery touch of the melodic wires escaping Jackie’s guitar ensures next up Asylum has a grip on ears and appetite within its first breath, Pablo’s firm beats cementing that capture though it is the vocal dexterity across song and band which creates one of the album’s major pinnacles before latest single, Gossips, shares its pop infused rock on already eager ears. As within those around it, instinctive catchiness lines every note and syllable, aligning with the band’s creative imagination to again get under the skin.
Both Sorry with its gentle yet zestful and seriously stirring dynamics and the punk lined hard rock of As If left no room for attention to wander while the classic rock spiced Back Off and in turn Moving Forward (Angels & Demons) only accentuated the album’s grip and Syteria’s magnetic enterprise, the last of the four staking a claim on best track with its animated moves and rhythms beneath another vocal tempting from Julia and band impossible not to eagerly add to.
The dexterity of the bands flavour rich sound around fertile craft and imagination only continued to impress and animate the passions through the outstanding I Want It All and the equally inspiring Plastic Fantastic with the tenacious rock ‘n’ roll of Guilty backing up every anthemic aspect and electrifying quality with matching appetite as it brought the album to a rousing close.
Reflection is quite simply pure unapologetic rock ‘n’ roll with an adventure which alone will turn heads and Syteria a band surely heading to the loftier heights of the global rock scene.
Reflection is out now.
https://syteria.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/syteriaband/ https://twitter.com/syteriaband
Pete RingMaster 24/03/2020
Copyright RingMasterReview: MyFreeCopyright
It is a beginning though which is quickly built upon by the excellent Lovely Man. More restrained in its charge but even more enticing in its hooks and beats, the track strolls long like a blend of The Kut and Australian outfit Shadowqueen. Punk and hard rock are brought together in its virulently infectious temptation, a rousing concoction which easily had us bouncing, the following Avuta Mai matching its depth of persuasion. The only non-English sung track on the release, it is an inescapably catchy proposal unafraid to slip into sonic shimmers and unpredictable twists as raw riffs and melodic enterprise unite behind Pellegrini’s vocal prowess.
Opening up with Dance On Your Grave, the EP quickly has ears attentive with the opening challenge of vocalist Quentin Barthes-Villegas within a controlled mesh of sound. There is a sense that things are itching to erupt even in those first seconds, and so they do as swinging grooves and rhythms unite with feisty riffs and the thick beats of Alex Roussel. Like a punk infused mix of Foo Fighters and Velvet Revolver, the song snarls and bites with its virulent catchiness and Barthes-Villegas’ rousing vocal delivery around which guitarists Charl’ Roussel and Renaud Satre cast an infectious web of hooks and grooves perfectly tempered by the throbbing strings of bassist Nico Helinger.
mix of punchy rhythms and fiery guitar caresses around the ear, the air soon heated and thick from the sonic and passionate endeavour. As the again impressive tones of Osman stand astride the creative sounds with rich expression and emotive potency aided with the equally notable backing vocals of Cogher, the song wraps its sinewy intensity and melodic flames tightly around thoughts and passions. With only the disjointed break midway a minor niggle the song leaves a starting to stir ardour smouldering in its wash though it takes the following pair of songs to truly ignite its hunger.
