THE ROCK'n'ROLL CIRCUS RADIO SHOW

Bury The Ghosts EP Review

Sertraline are a five piece alternative rock band hailing from Stoke-on-Trent, England in the UK. The band features four ex members :- Tom, Josh, Mike & Hendo of local band, Blue Origin, who had minor success with their debut album, Somnium. Aware, as a collective that they wanted to create music that sounded fresh and evocative, set about auditioning vocalists. Not knowing whether they wanted to go with a male or female vocalist, they left the door wide open and after many candidates, Leeds lass Lizzie's sparkling personality bounced in and stole the show. Being the definitive choice, Lizzie became the lead vocalist and Sertraline was born!. The band entered Vale Studios last September for a solid 10 days then passed the tracks onto producer Lee Batuik (Deaf Havana, While She Sleeps) for mixing and mastering. The final result, a 6 track mini album, Bury The Ghosts, which is due for release early 2015 so, let's see how it rocks!.

Dead Set - A wicked bass hook instantly grabs you and slams you face first into the explosive drum work and wailing guitars. The tempo turns into an antagonistic bounce with the drums and chugging guitars as Lizzie's vocals enter with a beautiful tone and clarity before she injects the attitude. The backing vocals are sublime and add weight and harmonisation to the choral sections. The guitar break at the bridge really igniting this track, introduced by Josh's growling vocals. This song has swagger and a serious energy that just grabs you and you can't help but be carried away by it. Instantly catchy with a seriously heavy edge on the drums and guitars to fire up your inner rocker. More please!

Not Enough - Snare drum beats and cymbals bring in the guitar with its catchy riff before the rhythm guitar and bass join in and all hell breaks loose to unleash this thundering pop-rock / punk track. This has attitude written all over it yet has a fun bounce to the tempo that just makes you want to throw yourself around the pit and have a good time. The breakdown at the bridge really adds an edge with some beautiful electro acoustic guitar brought into the mix that rounds this track off perfectly.

Mean To Me - Wailing guitars and a glorious drum beat instantly make the hairs stand up and take you away with a serenity before the angst is really felt. The tempo and sound turns heavy and dark only relenting to let Lizzie's vocals really inject the pain, backed up by Josh's empowering growls. This is both dark and beautiful and is just so impressive for a band that are just starting out. Beautifully addictive and just ticks all the boxes when it comes to a heavy rock ballad of pain and disappointment. Seriously can't stop playing this track!.

Colours - Glorious electro acoustic guitar introduces this ballad, akin to The Cranberries, Zombie in tone. Lizzie's stunning vocals join to accompany the electro acoustic guitar rolling in the background before the cymbals later add rhythm. The soft drums and acoustic work bring weight to this track as it rises into a crescendo of angst driven guitar wails and empowering vocals. This really is such a beautiful ballad that just tugs at every emotion.

Set The World Alight - Instant fire in the guitar and drums throws the attitude straight at you as this swaggering track takes no prisoners with a similarity in tone to Sons Of Plunder by Disturbed. This is a grinding battle cry with antagonistic undertones that will get everyone fired up and bouncing with the rally cry!.

All Choked Up - An addictive guitar hook instantly captivates with its walk around the fretboard and rises the fire within as the dispirited lyrics and rolling drums grab you. Lizzie's vocals are reflected and empowered by Josh's growls to really entice the stance of the lyrics and just adds a perfect dimension to the intensity of this track. The track waxes and wanes between reflective vocals and a defiant, angst driven chorus that just fires you up inside to feel the indignance.

Bury The Ghosts may only be 6 tracks long but they are some of the best tracks I've ever heard!. The intensity and speed of the instrument playing is so professionally polished you'd think Sertraline had been around a lot longer than they have. Lizzie's vocal range and power is just perfection and I can seriously understand why she was picked as lead vocalist. All this comes together in one glorious package of epic rock tracks along with some of the most beautiful ballads I've ever heard!, which just goes to show the talent that is embodied in Sertraline. This may only be a mini album but for those that like The Pretty Reckless, Flyleaf, The Dirty Youth and Asking Alexandria, seriously check out Sertraline and add them to your collection!.