Serotonin Syndrome are a Finnish post-metal act out of Rovaniemi. I was trying to find a good definition/translation of "Sarajas," and the closest I can seem to find is "distant, mythical waters," which also seems to be referenced by the cover art. This seems a fitting name for the album, which is an experience akin to drifting through an endless ocean..,or perhaps the river Styx. Compositions flow seamlessly from staring up at birds flying through clear, blue skies and battling the current and potential capsizing in violent storms.
"My Boat is Filled with Blood" is my personal favorite. The name of the song alone should be grounds for some sort of metal music award. That is a metal title. Luckily the song is equally heavy with a plodding-yet-intense guitar hook and effective use of organ to amp up the atmosphere. And the blackened vocals here get absolutely raw. You can hear the individual vibrations of different parts of the larynx. This is probably the most extreme tracfk on the album, which may be another reason it works so well. Less is more.
The rest of the album is equally grand, but often maintain a more Deftonesy, psychedelic feel. "Catharsis" may well be the leader of the pack in this approach. This is nearly 12 minutes of spacey introspection led by layered guitar picking, delay effects, and deep bass rumble. I want to bring a pillow and just lay in it. There are still some trips into darker sounds and harsh vocals here and there, but for the most part the song showcases Sarajas' other prominent qualities.
Serotonin Syndrome are also builders. They like taking a simple riff and building onto it peice by peice with increasing intensity of the drums, added leads, and atmospheric inclusions. The title track is evidence enough of their ability to begin with a simple foundation and end with a skyscraper. Upwards and upwards the music goes into the great unknown. It's quite lovely, albeit from ideas that I have heard before.
If you're a fan of post-metal in the vein of everything from Minsk to Tool, you'll find something to enjoy in Sarajas. Furthermore, the album is another under the Choose Your Price model, which removes pretty much any remaining reason to not pick this up. Stream below, then click that beautiful "BC" logo to get your download.