Seether wasteland ep-review

1. Seether – Wasteland: The Purgatory EP | Release Date: July 30th, 2021
Review By: Nova Granite (September 17, 2021)
Wasteland – Official Music Video
In the wake of their eight-studio album 'Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum' released August 28th,
2020; Seether opted to extend its offerings, releasing a five-song EP that spawned an
alternate version of the song 'Wasteland.' The song Wasteland bookends the five-track
EP, starting with the original album version that received such positive feedback that the
group used it as their newest single. At the end of the EP, we get to hear the alternate
version, which can be viewed in the video below, concludes the EP set. Sandwiched
between these two versions of 'Wasteland,' we get to hear three never heard before
tracks that didn't get to make the original album. Seether frontman Shaun Morgan on
this new release, "We are really excited to release The Purgatory EP as a companion to
our latest single, 'Wasteland.' I'm especially proud of how the alternate version of the
track turned out and really happy that people will finally hear it!" (Wasteland - the
purgatory EP 2021)

2. Wasteland – Alternate Version
As a songwriter Shaun Morgan has always worn his heart on his sleeve, which can be
seen in his song 'Broken' and my personal favorite, his cover of 'Careless Whispers' by
George Michael, 'The Wasteland' EP it is even more apparent. As a track itself,
'Wasteland' is full of gut-wrenching lyrics that come to the fore even more with the
alternative version of the track. The spinoff is slowed down and accompanied by the
emotional sounds of piano and cello that enhance the pained lyrics.
'What Would You Do' is the second song on the EP and is slathered in apathy. The
Nirvana-inspired rippling guitars and tempo add to the feeling of self-loathing. The lyrics
"Gotta drink another drink until I can forget" capture a sullen side of humanity that
Morgan's lyrics express perfectly. With such a profoundly personal track, it has the
listener facing their inner demons. The song is one of Seethers' most beautifully cathartic
songs yet.
'Will it Ever End' is the appropriate pandemic head trip of 2021. It is a familiar sound
Seether fans will enjoy; it employs the same somber distortion and harsh effects that the
band became known for. It starts with a slow and relaxed rhythm before winding into
heavier riffage in the bridge before reverting to its casual chorus. In the Chorus, Morgan
sings "Paying for my past crimes." we can play on the metaphor with the cyclical concept
of Purgatory and the nature of its perpetual torment.

3. The second to last track, 'Feast or Famine,' offers a more hardcore crunch than its
precursors. Kicking things off with a chord progression that gives 'remedy' energy. The
song is easily the heaviest track on the EP, with its heavier guitars and hard-hitting vocals,
a mix of bass, rhythm guitar, and eery solo tones; this is the Seether that everyone come
to know and love. The song is full of vigor and feels more like having fun rather than a
storytelling vibe musically. Closing the EP is the 'Wasteland (Alternate version),' which is
mostly like the original except stripped down and replaced with acoustics accompanied
by the Piano and Cello. Without the effects and distortion on the guitars, the song
creates more intimate and raw emotions.
The album cover keeps true to Seethers' other album covers with gory and gothic
imagery. The ‘Wasteland’ EP captures dark skies with an eclipse; below is a chasm with an
emitted scarlet glow, with an arrow pointing to it, the depth I believe we can decipher as
Purgatory. We also see a handful of human figures darkened out with hollow red eyes,
their bodies look emaciated, and they wear tired and sad expressions. The EP title is
created with a bold and irregular baseline, brush, and ink, capturing the distorted
wasteland theme the EP is about.
Overall, Seether's ‘Wasteland – The Purgatory’ EP is a true piece of brilliance. Despite
some of the critics who felt the EP lacked the "heaviness" usually seen from the band, the
slower and raw music and lyrics serve the purpose that the band intended for the EP
following their last album ‘Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum’. The overall composition arranges

4. with sweeping string work, and supportive solid percussion makes the whole thing
pleasurable, delivering on what new and old Seether fans love.