Alternative/trap metal artist Seethe has released his latest album, Delenda: A Black Rose on the Epitaph. Carrying the listener through the subjects of mental health and a real-life hospital stay, Seethe has bared his soul to the world in these nine tracks.
Delenda: A Black Rose on the Epitaph is an interestingly composed record, musically. It is comprised of a style that is not only heavy, but purposefully harsh and glitchy, with anguished vocals that resonate with rage and frustration. This raw and unfiltered emotion is contrasted with the occasional catchy, more melodic break, featured mostly in the choruses. The play of an almost lighter offering amongst the darker standard grabs the attention, keeping the ear intrigued.
The atmosphere that Seethe has created is often jarring, sometimes uncomfortable, an echo of the true story of his struggles with his mental health and the decision to sign himself into a psych ward. However, the overall message of Delenda: A Black Rose on the Epitaph is one of hope. By sharing his own personal story and tackling a topic that most seem content to ignore, Seethe is breaking an invisible barrier. He is telling his listeners – and everyone else – that there is no shame in the struggle, that it does not mean you are weak, and that asking for help is the strongest action you can take.
The two singles showcase the lowest and highest points of this autobiographical story. “Can’t Breathe,” the second track on the record, is the hopeless beginning, the bleakest moment, feeling overwhelmed and trapped, both by the four walls of the hospital and your own mind. However, by the time one reaches “Linear,” track eight of nine, a sense of balance is slowly being gained, a clearer headspace in which you are starting to take control of your life, having a better idea of what to do for your version of normal…because each of us is different, and what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for all. The songs in the middle are the journey between despair and the start of catharsis.
Delenda: A Black Rose on the Epitaph is a triumph. Seethe grants his listeners a glimpse into the shadows, a foray into territories not often explored, and he reveals a message of solidarity, support, hope, and victory, both big and small. He has expertly crafted his music, lyrics, and vocals in the shape of the story he is sharing. This is a 2023 must-hear album.
You can listen to Delenda: A Black Rose on the Epitaph wherever you stream music!
Mostly Music 