Syrach
Silent Seas (CD) 1997 Autonomy Productions
This release is probably a bit too short to be considered as a full-length, but it seems to be intended to be one, so we'll list it as one. Besides, the length is not so short that it matters much. However, the question of why this band hasn't become one of the major bands yet is something I often ponder upon. Syrach sounds like no other doom/death band. On one hand it has clear influences from raw and cruel doom/death bands like diSEMBOWELMENT and Mythic. On the other hand, you can also find influences from Silentium, Visceral Evisceration, Black Lodge and early Anathema. The pace varies between slow, mid-tempo and high tempo. Occasional progressive and jazz elements have been incorporated, as well as a depressive violin which somehow never sounds like it's weeping. There aren't many doom/death bands that manage to sound both aggressive and depressive at the same time. These guys do so, however. Err... It's probably wrong of me to say guys as there is a female vocalist with a unique voice in the band as well. She appears from time to time, but most of the time the extreme growling male vocals is what you will hear. So how come this band hasn't left their underground lair and become one of the influential bands? Apparently Syrach has had some lineup problems which has been solved recently (2004) and one could speculate that it is the reason. Still, it is quite a mystery that there haven't been more labels which have taken interrest in this band as they have been around over ten years now. This band probably has everything that every death/doomster would be looking for. Female vocals, melancholy, aggression, good riffage and a rhythm which is more than decent for headbanging - all of this without ever becoming unoriginal. It should be noted that the tempo changes quite often, and hence could make the album a hard listen the first time it's spun. This effect will fade after a few spins, though. So I guess my conclusion is that this is a CD which needs a little patience, but gives a grand reward.	1. ...Nor The Frail Perception 2. Jaded Funeral 3. ...Of Dragons Tears 4. (As Years Go By In) Silence 5. A Centenarian Odyssey 6. Outro: De Doedes Tjern Approx. 34 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen
Days Of Wrath (CD) 2007 Ripper
In the making of this album, Syrach has enlisted several different helpers from various sources. Amongst them is Aaron Stainthorpe, famous as the My Dying Bride vocalist, who made the cover artwork. Then there is the clean female vocals that appear on 'Semper Ardens' (latin: "eternal fire"), 'The Firm Grip Of Death' and 'The Twilight Enigma'. They are sung by Silje Wergeland from the Norwegian gothic metal band Octavia Sperati. Grutle Kjellson, from the viking/black metal band Enslaved, appears on 'A Death Tear' and two of the three producers also come from the same band. The final appearances are Bjørnar E. Nilsen, which I know little about, and Yoko Homo from Murder Mile, a british punk rock band. When keeping all of these guest appearances in mind, it's actually quite surprising that the only one that's actually noticable in the music is the presence of Silje Wergeland. Syrach has always been considered to be on the original side of doom/death. While not their most original work, Days Of Wrath still keeps true to that tradition. Neither is it really experimental, but the tracks can differ quite a bit from beginning to end. The individual variations fit very well with the overall track. The fact that the band manages to keep a unified darkened aura throughout the album make the variations subtle and you will likely have to listen actively to notice it. Genrewise they're a blackened doom/death band that lie somewhere in the middle between the melodic and the raw side. Some similarities to the old My Dying Bride can be heard, but mostly it's quite hard to compare Syrach to anyone. One of the things I like best about this album is the ability to combine advanced guitarplay with a doomy yet aggressive aura and generally slow headbanging. At the same time it also manages to have both sections with nice melodies and brutality without making the music unbalanced. If anyone wants a doom/death album that will give you these things then I'd recommend that you have a taste of this. The music might demand a bit from you, but it's worth the experience.	I. Are You Able To Breathe Fire? II. Semper Ardens III. The Firm Grip Of Death IV. Stigma Diabolicum V. Come Daemons VI. Nine Fallen Men VII. A Death Tear VIII. The Twilight Enigma Approx. 64 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen