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SEETHER
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
Fantasy Records

There’s no denying how much of a soul-sucking year 2020 has been for us all, from Covid-19, to the world basically shutting down, and especially the suffering that’s being left for the music industry and the ones who put their lives into making us music fanatics have events to look forward to, things just really can’t get anymore lame. Honestly, if it wasn’t for some of the amazing albums I’ve heard this year so far, I would have just said to throw the whole year away, wake me up when its 2021. Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum is another one of those fantastic albums I’ve had the pleasure of hearing this year and I can’t even begin to explain to you how happy I was when I got this album delivered to my email to review.

SEETHER, the South-African rock band founded in back in 1999 has once again blown me away with this new album and honestly has taken me back to the grunge era but with a little SEETHER twist to it. Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum being released on August 28, 2020 via Fantasy Records is their eighth studio album, following the release of Poison The Parish 3 years ago. This epic 13 track album was produced by lead singer and guitarist Shaun Morgan, and thoroughly engineered and assorted by the one-of-a-kind Matt Hyde, who also mixed with bands like DEFTONES, SOULFLY and AFI. These two couldn’t have been a better team to produce this album.

Morgan along with his bandmates, Corey Lowery (lead guitar & former SAINT ASONIA) Dale Stewart (bass, backing vocals), and John Humphrey (drums) went all-in to bring us a blazing album for this shitty year. Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum, which means “If You Want Peace, Prepare For War”, is also pretty damn fitting don’t you think?

Starting the album off with “Dead and Done”, they couldn’t have picked a better opening song for the album. It's rough in all the good ways, and gets you excited for more. “You’re fucking dead. Ain’t nobody owning me. You’re fucking dead, just don’t have the energy.” I noticed that playing throughout my head for days after listening to this one.

"Bruised And Bloodied", which is one of the first released tracks to set the tone for the album, is absolutely everything you can expect it to be with that kind of title. It's angry, intense, and definitely makes you want to jam this song loudly on your headphones.

"Wasteland" is UNQUESTIONABLY one of my favorites. I love the drumming techniques and the “old style” SEETHER feel, which is the reason I fell in love with them in the first place. It has that vulnerability feel to it and soft melodic tune that just gets me every time.

"Dangerous": Where do I even start with this track? Honestly, it’s my absolute #1 favorite from the album, and was also the very first released track. I’ve been obsessed with it ever since I heard it for the first time. The emotion, anger, and the angst in Morgan’s voice is incredible.

"Liar", "Can’t Go Wrong", and "Buried In The Sand" are also very good songs as they all remind me of the reason I’ve always loved SEETHER since I was a kid. It's an emotional roller-coaster ride at times but will also kick you in the ass, and what more could you ask for when it comes to a well-produced album?

Another few of my favorites "Let It Go", "Failure" and "Beg" definitely stood out to me the most, obviously because of the heaviness and rage that was all very well put into these three in particular but those riffs!! They are simply overwhelming and the lyrics “Beg Motherfucker Beg”. I love it. It’s the SEETHER signature sound with their obvious meaningful lyrics.

Last of the bunch, we have "Drift Away", "Pride Before The Fall", and "Written In Stone". These tracks give you exactly what you’re expecting if you are already a fan of SEETHER and more so expect some goosebumps my friends. As a whole, this album is a complete mixture of pure badassery and quality that is rare to find these days.

From the raging chaos in vocals, the slamming drum beats, the wicked rememberable riffs, and the simple emotion that is fulfilled into almost each and every song, I’m telling you, this might just be the best album of the year so far for me. Anything with a grunge feel to it is already a plus in my book, but SEETHER went above and beyond with their own version of grunge in Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum and I feel as if this is only just the beginning. I’m definitely ready for more and I’m excited for what’s is in store for us SEETHER fans.

Check out my interview with drummer John Humphrey on KNAC.COM HERE.

5.0 Out Of 5.0