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SPINEFARM
South African post-grunge veterans keep rumbling around their plateau
Over the last two decades, Seether have barely deviated from the nu grunge template they put in place with their 2002 debut, Disclaimer. So, it will surprise no one to hear eighth album, whose title translates as, ‘If You Want Peace, Prepare For War’, doesn’t have a fresh thought in its head. That’s not to say it’s devoid of charm - nostalgic earworm angst is a big part of the South Africans’ appeal and they deliver it with undeniable aplomb on enjoyable shots of adrenaline like opener Dead And Done and Dangerous. On the other hand, Buried In The Sand is a slog and Wasteland’s angsty crunch is so familiar, Googling was required to ensure it wasn’t a cover of something recorded two decades ago by Breaking Benjamin or Stone Temple Pilots. Seether’s formula is in desperate need of a shake-up.