It is ponderous to think that in an era where an estimated five billion-plus of the world’s population are connected to the internet, some bands still have not reached the US market. Clarifying this statement, in many corners of the planet, especially Europe, there are Rock/Metal bands who universally sing in English and have a sound so good it seems impossible that they would not appeal to American audiences. Rattling off a short list, in Germany, you have End of Green; in Finland, you have Entwine; and out of France, you have Seeds Of Mary.
Offering some examples to get the gears into motion, Seeds Of Mary is one of those bands that, if more people heard them, they would immediately be interested. Out of the city of Bordeaux, Seeds Of Mary have been making their way since 2011; they released their EP in 2013 before the debut album Choose Your Lie in 2015. Forming out of another band called DIRT, as Seeds Of Mary, they steadily progressed and defined their sound with 2017’s The Blackbird and the Dying Sun, leading into 2020’s Serendipity. Each solid effort with moody, dark tones, heavy bottom-end guitars, and distinctive vocals in 2024 Seeds Of Mary takes the next big step in their evolution.
Veterans at this point who are very dialed into what they would like to achieve, Vocalist Jérémy Dourneau, Bassist Clément Leclercq, Drummer Aaron Silvestre, and Guitarists Julien Jolivet and Tom Collet push the envelope further than ever before with their fourth album LOVE. Released on October 18, 2024, through their long-time French label Klonosphere Records, in association with Season of Mist, Seeds Of Mary sounds like a band reaching a creative peak. This means that the songs on LOVE are so distinct, carefully written, and produced that it is impossible not to be hooked after just one listen to the lead single, “Amor Fati.”
In a track written by Jolivet, his guitar riff immediately grabs you before Dourneau’s voice assures you will stick around for what happens next. Heavy, haunting Heavy Rock, this is only the beginning of what LOVE has to offer. In fact, the remainder of the album, which is nine more songs, features extremely thick guitar tones that feature irresistible melodies and potent grooves.
As mentioned, galvanized by Dourneau’s vocals, you can hear influence from Alice in Chain’s Layne Staley and Korn’s Jonathan Davis, among others, in his singing. However, you can also hear a bit of End of Green’s Michelle Darkness, but inevitably, with each of these comparisons, Dourneau’s approach is uniquely his own. Beyond this, you cannot overlook the rhythm section of Seeds of Mary, which is as tight as any around with perfectly performed percussion and bass.
Drawing this out, those new to Seeds Of Mary may wonder what exactly they sound like. Well, that is for you to discover, but let us just say if you are a fan of dark, Heavy Rock music with tints of Grunge, Gothic Metal, and more, you will absolutely love what you hear. The best part of it all is that each song of LOVE has its personality and mood all its own. You can hear this throughout, but some of the biggest standouts are “Parasite Paradise,” “Fire is Bright, Fire is Clean,” and “Begin The End.”
Without giving more away, Seeds Of Mary’s LOVE could be one of the most interesting and satisfying Metal albums released in 2024. It is well worth discovering because Cryptic Rock gives this album 5 out of 5 stars.
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