PRESS/TONY MOTTRAM
Continuing to pull from myriad influences, Servers’ fourth album sees them at their most diverse and confident. While the gothic and grungy overtones remain, the first four songs are dominated by metalplated riffery, adding extra acrimony to the album’s scathing assaults on religion and authority. Lee Storrar’s throaty bellow is served by Try To Get Some Sleep and Crimson Tide’s rollicking stomp, before unleashing more precision force through the driving demonic sermon of Stranglehold and vitriolic closer Incorruption. The Vertical Plane isn’t all blood and thunder, with Here, There, Everywhere and Mother Of All Lies weaving in soaring melodic peaks. Will Price and Jamie Beaston’s leads explore all manner of shimmering, technicolour effects on Despond To Despair, and while the hokey polka of You Still Come Willingly misfires, it’s a mere smudge on a chiefly tapestry. ■■■■■■■□□□