Sertraline: Finding The Silver Lining In Every Cloud
Given the current ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, bands – both big and small – across the globe are feeling the bite from this global health emergency. Touring and festivals are cancelled as a result of national lockdowns in countless countries, albums are being delayed as production lines are impacted by the virus and millions of people are anxious about when this storm will pass. It’s an unprecedented time but life finds a way to go on. It’s rather fitting then that Clouded Minds & Silver Lines, the new EP from UK tech-metal darlings SERTRALINE offers bout after bout of positivity, a welcome experience in these anxious times.
“It’s really just finding a positive outlook on everything in life,” vocalist Lizzie Parry tells us of the meaning behind their new release’s title. “Don’t let the negativity of yourself and others drag you down. It sounds a bit cheesy, but find that silver lining in every situation and come out the other side. To be honest, people, especially the press unfortunately in some cases, are really quick to report on the bad things and make it feel like there is more bad than good. I do think there are a lot of people doing really good things, especially at the minute with the whole lockdown. You see people doing nice little things, small things, everyday things, but it does make a massive difference. You know those little diaries people keep where they write one positive thing that has happened each day? I think they are really good because you can just take a step back and appreciate the small things – it improves your overall happiness.”
A happy accident? A coincidence? No-one in the SERTRALINE camp could have anticipated to be on the cusp of releasing a record in the midst of a global pandemic, but for the quintet, the timing could not have been more fitting. People need hope, a reason to be happy and the message that the band are saying with this EP is that the grass will one day be green again. This storm will pass. It’s a lovely sentiment to get behind and it helps that music is absolutely top-notch too. Across the EP’s five tracks, SERTRALINE deploy tech-driven bounce, gorgeous interplays between guitarists Mike and Tom whilst Lizzie herself offers her best range of vocals in her career. It’s a massive statement of intent and a reflection of where the band stand in 2020, a far cry from their last effort; 2017’s Guilty EP.
But just how have SERTRALINE developed? Well, after a listen of Clouded Minds & Silver Lines, in a more tech-driven direction. “We’re definitely moving towards the more technical style of writing and the more progressive sort of stuff,” Lizzie confirms. “That’s the kind of music we’re all into in terms of our general listening habits. We’ve found it really difficult to pin point our sound into a particular genre. You know when you’re just listening to music on Spotify and something comes up, you can go ‘oh that’s progressive metal’ or ‘that’s doom’ or whatever, I feel like it’s been really difficult for us to have that. I think this new EP is more identifiable with the genres we are going for. We definitely wanted to not close people off, especially fans that have been with us since the start who are used to the more melodic, catchy style. We definitely kept elements of that in there but we really wanted to go a bit heavier. When I first started getting into heavy music, you dip your toe in the water and then you can find yourself being more open-minded. That’s what we want to encourage.”
Indeed, the SERTRALINE story thus far has shown the band’s diversity – in both their touring itinerary and in the range of influences they incorporate into their rich and enjoyable sound. A quick look at their track record and the diversity is there clear as day, from UK Tech-Fest to Bloodstock, the band have explored every possible avenue to expand their influence, a method which Lizzie is fully supportive of. “I feel like with everything we’ve ever done as a band, we’ve always been progressing steadily and consistently. Places like Bloodstock and UK Tech-Fest have definitely given us a massive boost because you just reach so many new people. Some people might not be into it but we’ve had so much good feedback from both those festivals. It’s just great to play with so many different styles of bands, meeting loads of new people. It’s been all good experiences!”
You get the sense that the band’s story thus far has gone off without a hitch, sure there has probably been tough times within the camp and experiences which haven’t gone as planned as life is not a fairytale, but the SERTRALINE story has been one in which the band’s collective hard work is now beginning to reap the rewards. With a successful Kickstarter campaign under their belts for the EP, showing the dedication from their fanbase, a solid live reputation and now, a killer new EP to showcase where they are today – this is just the beginning. The UK now has another special band to shout about from the rooftops.
Clouded Minds & Silver Lines is out now via self release.
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