CD Review: Eths - III

Written by Colin McNamara Thursday, 03 May 2012 10:48

Artist: Eths
Title: III
Genre: Metalcore
Release Date: 6th April 2012
Label: Season Of Mist

Album Review

ETHS is one of those rare bands that have only put out a few albums, but everyone who is a fan of the more underground female fronted Metalcore groups know exactly who they are. Falling in line with groups such as OTEP and KITTIE, the band has blended a raw, aggressive stance of chugging guitars with raw, screaming vocals combined with softer melodic sections. Their last release - ‘Teratologie’ - really put this French quintet to most fans’ attention, though it was much rawer than what they have done here with ‘III’. For those who felt that ETHS was just a bit too much on the aggressive side, then this album will set things right. Here, the band loses a bit of the harsh bellow snarls and hisses and makes more use of the clean vocals and more melodic guitar passages for a more accessible release that could pander to a wide variety of Metal fans. The music is still pretty Metalcore based, but there are more electronic elements and symphonic elements involved such as on the track ‘Hercolobus’, which is also one of the heavier tracks with its thunderous chug and snarling vocals from Candice who still maintains that soft and creepy innocent crooning that was such a hit on the previous release. However, to hear her really sing in a more pop Metal fashion such as on ‘Gravis Venter’ is a step in the right direction as it has that perfect balance of sweet melodies that is much more appealing than just hearing her growl. While the underground fans might not like it, more mainstream Metal fans will certainly gravitate towards this.

One thing ETHS still seems to struggle with a bit is their epic track formula, although with ‘Anatemnein’ they’re getting better. In the past, usually the song would go on for about five minutes and then leave then next seven with silence. While there is some silence here, ETHS include a lot more extras so listeners don’t feel like it is wasted, such as electronic moments and a dark, symphonic closing. Despite the fact that many will feel like they heard this exactly on the previous interlude ‘Praedator’, it is certainly a welcome thing to hear aside from silence. Also, to appeal to the more mainstream crowd, despite all the songs being in French, Candice sings a few in English so she can actually be understood. In the past her French hissing was a whole new level of unique mystery to unravel that made the music all the more fierce, but for those who were really looking into hearing what she had to sing/ growl about were often a bit lost. And plus that, she sings on almost every song now also helps to clear her voice, even when it is layered to great effect between singing and growling. What fans are left with is still a dark, sinister version of ETHS, but they don’t sound so “out of the circle” when it comes to comparing them to the more popular artists of the Modern Metal day. What is even more fortunate is that despite ETHS becoming a bit more mainstream, they still maintain a unique edge that puts them ahead of so many different artists who are still doing the same thing over and over while ‘III’ is proof that ETHS will evolve again and again.


Tracklist

01. Voragine - 3:53
02. Harmaguedon - 5:01
03. Adonaï - 4:11
04. Gravis Venter - 5:17
05. Inanis Venter - 4:36
06. Sidus - 4:59
07. Proserpina - 5:59
08. Hercolubus - 5:18
09. Praedator - 1:40
10. Anatemnein - 8:00


Line-up

Candice - vocals
Staif - guitar
Greg - guitar
Damien - bass
Guillaume - drums


Website

www.facebook.com/pages/Eths-Official/252741371438599


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 8
Total: 8.5 / 10


Buy the album here!