Album review: SYTERIA – Reflection
Cargo Records [Release date 21.02.20]
Based in Yorkshire, Syteria were formed by guitarist Jackie “Jax” Chambers, lead guitarist of legends Girlschool. And are often seen gigging during Girlschool downtime, our blond bombshell Jax is a busy girl.
Since 2015 they’ve released an EP and their debut album Rantobot, the latter featuring a fuzz fuelled rant or two. Here we get album number two, and well worth the wait it’s been too. And a warm welcome to new bassist Steph Dawson too, who joins drummer Pablo Calvo in a more than decent rhythm section.
The opening track Make Some Noise is uplifting, featuring some great guitar. A hint of punk and pop, and a huge slice of rock’n’roll, think We’ve Got a Fuzzbox with much more guitar emphasis. The song structure makes the music both accessible and embracing.
Goodbye World, heavier on the fuzz, is more thought provoking, and behind Julia Vocal’s lead vocals are some strong vocal harmonies. And an outstanding guitar solo too. The title track similarly mixes lead vocals with vocal harmonies and a solid rhythm, it’s one to get your head nodding all the way. The title track I went back to a few times and it grew on me more each time.
Asylum has quite a different feel with a more intricate guitar line, while Gossip has a bigger sound.
Then there’s the pace changes in Sorry, which also highlights the vocal strengths of Julia Vocal.
While there are overlaps with the punk roots of Girlschool, it’s something they play more on, rather than the glam influences of Girlschool. That and Jax being the sole guitarist, where she really excels, you do get quite a different type of energy and sound. Equally fun and accessible but credit for Syteria for being Syteria.
On the basis of this album I am going to search out the band’s debut and also make an effort to see them live. Look out for the March UK tour dates. ****
Review by Joe Geesin
MAR 05 Trillians Rock Bar
MAR 06 The Dragonffli, Pontypool
MAR 07 The Victoria, Swindon
MAR 12 Real Time Music, Chesterfield
MAR 13 The Rigger, Newcastle Under Lyme
MAR 14 Tapestry Arts, Bradford
MAR 15 King Billy Rock Bar, Northampton
MAR 20 Dreadnought Rock, Bathgate
APR 18 The Victoria Vaults, York
APR 24 Hangar 18 Music Venue, Swansea
APR 26 Queens Hall, Nuneaton
MAY 02 Rockforce Festival, Blackpool
MAY 08 The Portland Arms, Cambridge
MAY 14 Corporation, Sheffield
MAY 16 Vinyl Tap, Preston
MAY 21 Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
MAY 22 Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
MAY 23 O2 Institute, Birmingham
AUG 01 Drunken Monkey Festival, Malvern
AUG 07 Yorkshire Rock & Bike Show, Newthorpe
AUG 29 Steel Town Festival, Consett
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BLACK RIVER DELTA Shame On You (Despotz Records)
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