Alternative/trap metal artist Seethe surprised his followers by abruptly releasing an EP, entitled Cavalier Dualities, to Bandcamp on January 29th. (It has since gone live on all major streaming platforms.) Staying true to the glitchy, yet melodic, sound that I have come to associate with Seethe, this trilogy of tracks is an eight minute, thirty-four second emotional purge – for both artist and listener.
Cavalier Dualities is a brief glimpse into the repeating cycle of various mental health issues, depression prevalent among them. Seethe never backs down from addressing darker subject matter, and this is again apparent in all three songs.
“Medicate” is the beginning phase. Whatever the struggle is with – mental health, addiction, etc. – this track references the attempt to best it, to medicate and cope and hopefully ascend from the depths, maybe even defeat it one day.
This is followed by “Smile.” In Seethe’s own words, “Smile” is about how, in life, sometimes all one can do is smile and move forward. Throughout the fight with one’s own personal demons is the occasional necessity to fake it ’til you make it, as they say.
The EP concludes with “In Two,” a heart-rending song in which our narrator realizes (s)he is back in the hole, that (s)he had a brief moment in the light but has yet again fallen into the rut. This brings us back to the start, the need to medicate, and the cycle continues.
The discordant music and vocal stylings seems to reflect the frustration and hopelessness that colors the whole sordid tale, a cry of “I’ve been here before and failed, but I have to keep trying.” And while Cavalier Dualities may be a story borne from the artist’s own battles, it is relatable to anyone who has ever persevered through a private, often unseen, war with oneself.
You can listen to Cavalier Dualities on your favorite streaming service! And once you’ve checked out the EP, ready yourself for Seethe’s next release: the new single, “Away,” which is dropping on Valentine’s Day!
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