Album Review: Seething Akira – Cancel Estate (Self Released)

Seething Akira, the Portsmouth-based lovable electronic nu-core band are back with their brand-new album, ‘Cancel Estate’. Out on October 25th, 2024.

Synonymous with an unflinching position on reality, but focused on positive vibes and the human connection, Seething Akira’s reputation has grown and grown since their inception in 2017. A bevy of quality releases and lauded live shows has made them one of the most beloved names in the UK heavy scene and the naysayers are becoming less and less vocal.

How could you dislike this band? Even if their brand of electronica twisted core with a nu-metal and rock vein does little for you, their attitudes and perspectives are lovable. All of which comes through so strongly on an album that might be the most consistently brilliant Seething Akira release to date. Where, from beginning to end, they deliver infectious, energetic, intense, and heartfelt banger after banger.

Hitting an incredible high with opener Ixnay (that chorus is absurdly good), before getting groovy and heavy with Decayed Remains of Today, then defiant and strong with the punchy excitability of Resilient. It’s great to hear a ton of variety in these first few tracks, and the sound of Seething Akira balancing the contrasting elements so well. You can pit to these tracks, but you can also have a bit of a boogie if you fancy it. No judgement here, after all, it’s what Seething Akira encourage – be yourself.

With powerful statements delivered with genuine earnestness, Seething Akira continue to lay on the gravitas as Times Change arrives. The band are energised and effortlessly balancing electronica and metal in their inimitable infectious way. This is a track with layers, and it feels particularly packed out.

How about some delightful pop-punk vibes twisted by emphatic electronica and contrasted by some of the heaviest blasts of the album? It’s only bloody Sunflower Shadows, one of the album’s strongest listens. How about a more feral explosive style of electronica with a retro industrial vibe? How Are Things Up North will deliver. Or are you hungry for even more heaviness and likable melody? D.R.I.L.L.E.R goes soft and hard in impressive fashion.

Awesome stuff from Seething Akira, and the final few tracks of the album keep the level of quality and memorability at a high point. Spitting impressive vocal barbs and strident instrumental intensity, Blame Pain is another banger. However, the track to really take note of in this last section is the chunky beast that is You Don’t Want None. The vibrancy of the electronica mixed with the vitality of the metal is great, but this is also a bit of an experimental hit too and Seething Akira certainly push the limits of what they normally balance so well.

Then, finally, it’s Hyperbolic, a madcap race to the finish that has one goal in mind, and that’s to get the listener up and moving through a bevy of hyperactive effects and rock groove. It’s a goal that it will easily achieve, mainly because few will have been seated throughout the entire album. Cancel Estate is Seething Akira at their absolute best and brightest.

Seething Akira – Cancel Estate Track Listing:

1. Ixnay
2. Decayed Remains of Today
3. Resilient
4. Times Change
5. Sunflower Shadows
6. How Are Thing Up North
7. D.R.I.L.L.E.R
8. Blame Pain
9. You Don’t Want None
10. Hyperbolic

Links

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