Seraphim

From Mississippi come Seraphim. Previously a young band with a promising seven-inch on their back, but in what seems like an instant they've become laudable songwriters prone to larger things. The Light showcases a band building on a solid foundation laid down by trailblazers such as Neurosis, Isis (Celestial/Panopticon era), adding touches of early Torche as well. Sounds like the ingredients for the countless clones that came in the wake of the aforementioned bands' successes. But fret not. Seraphim bring youthful exuberance to the table, as well as the willingness to sprinkle each song with something extra that gives them an edge. Opener "Growing Apart" would have been at home on a Sigur Rós record and quickly the vocals stand out. They are screams, for the most part, but are in key when the song calls for it, engaging the listener. When the clean vocals emerge, the songs welcome them; it's just the right mix. "The Dust Filled Our Lungs" might as well have been a collaboration with Today is the Day's Steve Austin. By this point I thought I had them figured out but the next song is a banjo number; it is as melancholic as it is pretty ― fantastic. Keyboards, e-bow and an array of pedals come into play throughout, only to solidify and diversify the album's rigid core. The Light In The Distance is a mature, satisfying effort awash with carefully penned songs that are strong, memorable and evocative.