Ever wonder what happens to the musical gems that don't quite make the cut? In the digital age, where bands can release music at a moment's notice, the concept of a 'B-sides' album seems almost antiquated. These collections often feature tracks that, for various reasons, didn't fit on the main album. But are these songs inherently bad? Absolutely not! Think of System of a Down's Steal this Album!, or Oasis' The Masterplan – both widely celebrated. Serpent God, a Finnish band, owes its existence to this very concept, born from the remnants of another band, Se, Josta Ei Puhuta.
Se, Josta Ei Puhuta, known for their melodic death and thrash sound, had a collection of slower, more mournful tracks left over after completing their 2022 record, Gehenna. Recognizing the quality of these songs, three members formed Serpent God, ready to unleash nine tracks of melancholic doom upon the world.
The album opens with the instrumental track, "Denial," which effectively sets the emotional and musical stage with its sorrowful keyboards and guitar melodies. However, Serpent God truly showcase their talent with the next two tracks, delivering gut-wrenching melodic doom. "Beneath" evokes the spirit of My Dying Bride, blending sorrowful melodies with slow, thunderous drumming and vocalist Samu Mänikkö's deep growl (which evolves into a rasp later in the album). Then, they strike with "Repent," a killer track that could be one of the best doom songs of the year. Both songs are lengthy, averaging seven minutes, but their progressive structures and shifts in tempo keep them captivating.
Serpent God masterfully uses all their tools to evoke strong emotions. Mänikkö, who is also the guitarist, crafts plaintive refrains using tremolos, reminiscent of bands like To Escape and Winds of Tragedy. His gentle arpeggios provide a break from the heavier material, either during bridges or as a way to tug at the heartstrings from the start. Vocally, Mänikkö mostly sticks with his blackened rasps, but occasionally surprises with clean vocals that enhance the sorrowful guitar tones. The production values enhance the melancholic feel of the instruments, but there are some issues. The drums and bass lack the impact of the guitars, and a persistent, annoying hum is present in the background whenever the keyboards play alone.
But here's where it gets controversial... At 50 minutes, with most songs clocking in around six minutes, Denial begins to feel a bit long by the end. While Serpent God uses tempo shifts, especially in the energetic "Sermon," to break up the gloom, the final three songs don't quite measure up to the earlier tracks. They feel like the B-sides the band should have cut. These tracks include awkward riffs, whispers, and spoken word sections, which, combined with a lack of strong hooks, make the final fifteen minutes underwhelming. The three-minute closing track, "Void," ends the album with a series of crystalline synths that feel anticlimactic compared to the powerful emotions evoked earlier.
So, what's the verdict? The leftover material from Se, Josta Ei Puhuta's Gehenna certainly provided enough for a solid album. Serpent God's three members have proven they can write powerful melodies and connect with listeners emotionally. While there's plenty of quality music on Denial, the album is somewhat weighed down by its length and the inclusion of B-side material. It's a shame, because there are some truly great songs. Despite its flaws, Denial is worth a listen, but it's not a perfect album. Serpent God is definitely a band to keep an eye on.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
What do you think? Do you agree with the review's assessment of the album's strengths and weaknesses? Let me know in the comments if you've listened to Denial and what your favorite tracks are!
