Syteria
Syteriaworld – Cargo Records
Formed in Yorkshire in 2015 by Girlschool guitarist/vocalist Jackie ‘Jax’ Chambers, Syteria have been on an upward trajectory since their inception and have wowed crowds up and down the country with their rowdy blend of punk and hard rock. Reproducing that magic in a studio is no easy task, but latest album Syteriaworld does a darn good job. Flowing like an actual gig, opening blast ‘Chasing Dreams’ finds Syteria arriving with drums firing and guitars blazing, and its melodic sensibility perfectly encapsulates the band’s modus operandi; it’s hard-as-nails, yet catchy-as-hell, and will attach itself to your cranium like the “Facehugger” from Alien. There’s a feeling of freedom on Syteriaworld that allows the band to try on different styles, from the hard rock, staccato riff of ‘It Hit Me’ to the pure pop punk of ‘Debt Generation’ via the ska styling of ‘Raise Your Glass’, this record is a kaleidoscopic listen, but one that hags together exceptionally well. With some neat rhythms, the penultimate ‘Talk Too Much’ is akin to a boxer dazzling an opponent with fancy footwork before landing a knockout blow, and that killer punch comes in the shape of closer, a cover of The Ramones’ ‘Rockaway Beach’. Here’s your ticket to Syteriaworld.
Review by Peter Dennis