ALBUM REVIEW: Erra – Erra

A decade after their debut LP, ERRA no longer feel like metalcore by-standers. The Alabama five piece have sat comfortably in the under belly of the genre for long enough that you questioned if they’d ever reach real prominence. And as the late 10’s and early 20’s has seen the likes of POLARIS, CURRENTS, and NORTHLANE explode from the hatch: it was looking like it had to be now, or never for ERRA.

With a twelve track depiction of mental instability taking place in Japan’s infamous suicide forest (Aokigahara), the narrative of the band’s self-titled effort is its most bold characteristic. This isn’t a record that looks to expand the Alabama crews sound. Instead, the quintet have relentlessly accentuated their positives. Erra is sheened in a progressive metalcore sparkle – glistening with technical guitar solos and towering chorus melodies.

Central to the records instrumental punch is its dual guitar and bass balancing act. Producers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland have delivered a mix that elevates ERRA to new heights. The AFTER THE BURIAL style, double timed fight riff in Gungrave‘s final third is immediately the most interesting the band have ever sounded. And the opening guitar lines of Shadow Autonomous pierce through the rhythm as if they’ve been plucked from As Daylight Dies era KILLSWITCH ENGAGE.

Vanish Canvas‘ lush tones echo PERIPHERY‘s Remain Indoors – but this isn’t plagiarism. Jesse Cash‘s vocal elegance becomes all the more unique when J.T Cavey adds his sinister growl to proceedings. It’s the closest ERRA have ever been to writing a pop song – but it’s also their greatest moment yet. As Cash and Cavey dual vocal over a climactic, almost harmony-esque guitar backdrop, you can’t help but get drawn in.

The band’s usage of Cash is the earth tremor that has pushed the Alabama natives’ sound from the teetering edge. Remnant‘s melodic overtones are anything but safe – and sure, the technicalities that run through the verse might cause a glint in your eye regardless, but its cyclopean chorus makes it an instant hit. The djent lead Memory Fiction and Scorpion Hymn are the more calculable moments of Erra – but even with that said, their tonality is tuned so low – they hit like a car wreck.

Undeniably the most pivotal moment of their metalcore span so far – ERRA have delivered the goods when it mattered most. Laser focused on highlighting their pros, this self titled-record makes its incredible production job pay dividends. It’s modern metalcore as you know it, but just done really, really well.

Rating: 8/10

Erra is set for release on March 19th via UNFD. 

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