Xetas
The Cypher
How does one begin to describe Xetas? “Powerful,” that’s how. But also sinister, relentless, and exciting. Xetas came to my attention by pure chance. A chance I love to take with 12XU records. More and more they are becoming my primary source for new music exposure. That goes for you as well, dear reader. Their previous album made such an impression that we were waiting for its follow-up (and maybe the last album ever from the band?) with anticipation. Enter The Cypher.
Listening to the Tower it’s evident that Xetas are not interested in wasting anyone’s time. Their sophomore release is a perfect continuation of what they’ve been doing: it’s familiar, urgent, disarming, and suprising. These tracks have an urgency, rawness, fullness and paranoia to them, making the Cypher sound like an absolute warning. And what a loud warning that is. The loud guitars reminiscent of Husker are there, along with the trading of vocals between Harris and Petro, but also some unexpected pop, like on closer The Mariner. It fits perfectly in there as an album closer and makes you wonder what the band would have done next with their sound.
It would be a shame to go on and on about this band, because the Cypher is an example where the proof is in the pudding. We need to stop talking and start listening. Are Xetas breaking new ground? No, not really. But that doesn’t stop the Cypher from being a remarkable album that’s impossible to ignore. There’s an undeniable hardcore element here that resembles Husker Du, Drive Like Jehu, and lord knows what other oddly-named band. And quite honestly, we need more music like that. Unfortunately the band has found a string of bad luck with their drummer quitting, having to postpone their tour, and apparently Harris leaving the band. Quite a shame, but I wouldn’t count this band out. Xetas sound like a band you can’t keep down.
Grab your copy, and make it a vinyl one. Straight from the source.
