Metalcatto
IIt’s strange, to say the least, to find a Black Metal band with an album named Dystopolis. You’d think this was some sad Post-Metal record that makes you want to stare at the wall on a rainy day, but no! We have our decadent and drunken riffs back and forth from Seid, or so I thought when I read the promo. Perhaps I’ve misjudged the situation, though. Stay with me!
The first few seconds of Dystopolis made me feel like I’d heard this a million times before, but I was wrong! The band has more to offer than just the same boring, derivative riffing. These guys try to explore the more emotional side of Black Metal, and I don’t mean that it gets corny. It remains depressive in a dignified way.
The album gradually moves towards a more melodic and atmospheric sound, making the clean vocals work surprisingly well amid all the bashing. It’s not often that a band manages to balance these deeper elements without making me feel utterly embarrassed. Even the interlude is worth your time. Can you believe that? It’s a real shock, but all good things must come to an end, and I’ve had enough of this wholesome praise.
I think Dystopolis is tricky to approach. On one hand, it’s creative; on the other, I feel the songwriting could’ve been sharper and more heart-wrenching. The band has potential, but at times, I expected things to go one way only for them to take a substantially less satisfying turn. I love the idea, but the execution leaves me thoughtful and conflicted. It’s hard to pick on an interesting band, but someone’s got to do the job!
So, we have something promising here. I do have some issues with how things ultimately come together, but overall, you should give Seid a chance to see if they can impress you. If you like your music straight from the basement, but with a bit of craftsmanship thrown into the mix, this is probably something you should give a spin in the coming weeks.
Label: ATMF
Release date: December 11th, 2026
Website: https://atmfsssdtp.bandcamp.com/track/wandering-the-fields-of-the-slain
Country: Sweden
Score: 3.2/5.0
