Portsmouth six-piece Seething Akira offer an escape from the monotony of normality with an electronic nu-core sound that they describe as “Balls.To.The.Wall.” The band perfectly walks the tightrope between EDM and nu-metal in a sound that’s punchy and powerful yet engaging and insatiably more-ish.
The band started out with vocalist Charlie Bowes writing and producing hip-hop tracks for various artists. But he felt the urge to branch out and play live shows, which saw him start putting together a band in the ilk of Rage Against the Machine, Enter Shikari, The Prodigy and more. He eventually discovered co-vocalist Kit Conrad, who sent a demo using a Sing Star microphone and had a raw, unique and authentic style that Charlie liked.
Over time, they cycled through various guitarists and bassists, using processed beats on a laptop before bringing in Stu on drums – with the occasional assistance of layered electronic beats. That took the band to new levels, winning their local Metal 2 The Masses competition in 2017, playing Bloodstock Festival and playing Download in 2021. Hundreds of shows across Europe later and with a settled outfit in place, it’s safe to say there’s no looking back.
On the fusion of sounds they’ve honed, Charlie tells us: “The classic question! Ah man, always tough, but maybe a main course of prime, 100-day aged Nu-Metal with a starter of hardcore vocals and a dessert of electronic profiteroles.”
We first discovered the band with the recent release of their single Stars, wich opens up with a light guitar lick that’s joined by a building electronic sound that flows into catchy vocals. Engaging vocals take over then a chunky riff jumps in to support shouted vocals and feeds into a big singalong chorus “I now see far beyond these stars, They will always exist just like the stars above, I let the light in to clear all of the dark, Time to let happiness into my heart.”
On the track, Charlie told us: “It’s been great! Stars is a little different to what we’re known for, but we like to experiment and keep a creative edge not to go too stale. I’d say to expect a huge wall of sound, with aggression and harmonic overtones. Ultimately, anyone that hasn’t should go listen. Don’t take my word for it, I could be lying.”
Stars is the final track on Seething Akira’s third album NOZOMI, which was released on Friday (19 November). It opens up with Never Permanent, which opens up with a light intro that drops into crushing guitars under engaging vocals. Heavier vocals take over and drop into 80s-sounding keyboards, which continue alongside a big bouncy riff before cries of “Nothing’s permanent, This feeling’s never permanent” give way to clean vocals.
That’s followed by Metaphors, which begins with a plodding synth sound and effects-ridden vocals that continue under lively guitars. It suddenly goes very nu-metal with vicious vocals and a stabbing riff before building the intensity towards a return of the vocal effects. The heavy guitars return with repeats of the line “Fuck it, Let’s take the risk, No more metaphors, Let’s get down to business,” which return to bring the track to a close.
Next is the gorgeous Lost At Sea, which opens with engaging vocals supported by low-tuned guitars and atmospheric twinkling synths. It drops into low vocals with flickering synth sounds before building with clean vocals answered by rapped retorts. Stabbing guitars kick in alongside more synths as faster vocals take over and drop into a mellow yet powerful chorus “There are days when I feel like me, And there are days when I feel like I am lost at sea… Please tell me everything will be alright, Please tell me it will all be OK in the end.” A delicious guitar solo jumps in out of nowhere to bring the track to a superb melancholy conclusion.
The fusion of sounds continues in Internal Antagonist, which opens with synthy brass sounds that give way to big vocals before picking up pace with a driving riff and rapped vocals. A delicious jumpy low-tuned riff takes over and flows into clean vocals answered by rapped responses through the chorus. A heavy riff flanks cries of “Imposter” then drops into a variety of funky electronic noises.
Something In The Water starts in dramatic fashion with a powerful low-tuned riff and stabbing synths giving way to a chunky riff supporting rapped vocals. A fun synth takes over as it flows into brief chorus vocals, then a cool little synth bridges into a heavier section and synth-led chorus. The track eptiomises the band’s impressive ability to seamlessly fuse metal elements with what one of my friends nicely describes as “beeps and tweeps,” even throwing a cheeky guitar solo for good measure.
The more intense Frequencies follows, which features some of my favourite lyrics on the record “It’s the same recycled stories, And you wonder why I’m always fucking yawning, snoring, I’m so bored I’m ignoring everything that is said until you start exploring your own opinion, None of this is your wisdom, Trying to pass this as your business, we’ll you’ve been caught out, This has gone on for too long now, King of the bullshit, you’ve earned this, Take your crown.”
A funky synth opens up Punishment Instructions and continues over chunky guitars, which flow into a lively opening verse and strangely enjoyable disjointed synths and rhythms.
There’s much more electro goodness to enjoy on the lively Dioxide, which features a delicious section of driving synths and guitars. The pace drops down in the intro to the penultimate track Reason To Breathe, which sees rapped vocals supported by a cool low synth sound and light percussion. Engaging vocals take over in a powerful chorus and Stars concludes the album in catchy fashion.
The Seething Akira sound brings together a wide mix of genres, from punk and metal through to EDM and hip-hop, with influences as disparate as The Dillinger Escape Plan and Pink Floyd and much, much more in between.
And on what inspires them to write music, Charlie says: “Playing live x 1000. We just love to play live. Writing is great fun, and we love creating monsters, but ultimately, it’s to allow us to go out there and give people an opportunity to escape their lives for 45 minutes. Themes can range from personal relationships, live struggles and general societal constructs. We do have political views, but don’t tend to push these hard in our tracks.”
Seething Akira’s brand new album NOZOMI is out now, so go and show it some love. They played an album launch show in Portsmouth on Friday, but you can also see them supporting InMe and Raging Speedhorn at Patterns in Brighton on 11 December – what a show that promises to be! There’s much more to come from the band next year too, including playing at TakeDown Festival 2023, which has an incredible lineup.
And Charlie adds: “Thank you guys for your support. It’s been very tough for bands, venues and the music industry in general over the past few years. Come see us soon!”
You can follow Seeking Athira on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Soundcloud and YouTube.
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