ERRA is one of those bands that capture your attention right from the start with their ear-provoking melodies and balance of djent-like, crushing riffs and melodic progressive metal passages. ERRA is definitely also on top of their game with their lyrics, which focus on past experiences, the state of the world and personal growth, among others.
The band has grown over the past three years, with new unclean vocalist, J.T. Cavey, and clean vocalist and guitarist, Jesse Cash hitting the money with their vocal interchanges.
ERRA’s new album, Neon is a banger, something that has to be listened to in its entirety.
ERRA currently consists of Alex Ballew – drums; Jesse Cash – clean vocals, guitar; Sean Price – guitar; J.T. Cavey – unclean vocals, backing and clean vocals and Conor Hesse – bass.
Honourable mentions: Dreamcatcher, Unify, Continuum, Valhalla, Monolith, Expiate, Drift,
5. Signal Fire
The bass guitar riff from Conor Hesse in the intro has a groovy feel and is one of the best parts of the song. The palm-muted guitar work in the verse and the use of synth elements work brilliantly and give the song the punch it needs. There are enough melodies and riffs on this track to keep any metalhead happy. The best lyrics of this multi-dimensional song are, ‘It was all meant to endure the worst of things. Cast aside your doubts and destructive thoughts I know that I can finally be enough. Doubt breathes through blushing leaves Eradicated with my will to be. Convoluted ideas and emotions That make their home in me, weigh me down. They make their home in me.’ The struggle between being who you are and breaking out to be a better person is one of the main themes in this brilliant track.
4. Safehaven
The guitar and drums in the intro of ‘Safehaven’ are a pleasure to listen to and build perfectly towards Cavey’s passionate vocal delivery. The guitar melodies on this number are out of this world and, although this track is over six minutes long, it really does not feel like it. The message is positive and states that we can survive through troubles.
‘Restless nights with trembling hands against transparent skin But they carry on because survival is not a dead end. Dreaming of a safe haven at the end of the road An unstable safety, the only kind we’ve ever known. Oh, we walk along, dreaming of a safe haven. Because survival is not a dead end We are ever, we are evermore.’
3. Breach
This opener from ERRA’s latest album, Neon is a banger with an irresistibly serene guitar and vocal opening to put you in a relaxed mood. The guitars work brilliantly in symbiosis with Cash’s voice before the heat turns up a notch with a fast-paced second verse as Ballew’s drums and the face-shredding guitars of Price and Cash create a ferocious sound. Cavey brings his A-game with some pounding screams to drive the point home: ‘You can drag me down six feet deep So I can fight for a life that I threw away. In this moment of resurgence Clear the dissonance and recover me.’ This is one of my favourite songs, mainly because of the great vocal interchanges and positive message. The theme of standing up when falling down and finding your voice again is one of the most prominent parts.
2. The Hypnotist
This is another impressive song from ERRA, who show that musical technicality is something they pursue with a smile on their faces. The song focuses on broken memories and how the distance between people can leave scars and bruises.
Cavey delivers a full-blooded vocal performance as he pours all his emotion into the visceral lyrics: ‘You’ve seen it yourself, devour me Sickening shameful desire, spreading like a wildfire. Time slips away and we’re left here writing off the memories we saved. I go far away and leave you here, writing off the memories we saved.’
Cash is also at his best with his high-pitched vocals showing off his control with consummate ease. The guitar solo is also one of the best parts of this song and is an absolute joy to listen to.
1. Skyline
The out-of-this-world, clean, electric guitar intro from Cash gets this song off to a fantastic start with some impressive melodies that capture your attention. This shifts into a fast-paced progressive metal instrumental before the first verse once again takes things slower with some beautiful high notes from Cash.
The screamer, J.T. Cavey also excels on this track and the juxtaposition between these vocal styles work brilliantly. Nothing feels repetitive and everything binds together to create this well-rounded number that focuses on loneliness in a world that can sometimes lack empathy and togetherness.
The lyrics, ‘City lights and skylines Guiding home our wandering minds, Tucking us into tortoise shells, Suppressing the outside sounds of relentless consciousness. Where is contemplative terrain That sleeps with the setting sun?’ is just one example of the lyrical quality that this band has. Definitely my favourite ERRA track.
