Seether’s The Surface Seems So Far – A Thunderous Journey Through Darkness and Redemption

Review By Glen Parkes

With The Surface Seems So Far, their ninth studio album, Seether solidifies their position as one of rock’s most enduring forces. Released on September 20 via Fantasy Records, this 11-track collection showcases the band’s signature blend of raw emotion, aggressive riffs, and introspective lyricism. Frontman Shaun Morgan, alongside longtime bandmates Dale Stewart (bass), John Humphrey (drums), and Corey Lowery (guitar), creates a sonic landscape that is both brutally heavy and deeply reflective.

Produced by Morgan and engineered by Matt Hyde (known for his work with Deftones and Slayer), the album delivers a polished but fierce sound. From the first track to the last, The Surface Seems So Far pulls listeners into an intense emotional journey, where themes of melancholy, self-reflection, and pain collide with moments of hope and redemption.

The album opens with “Judas Mind,” a blistering track that sets the tone for what’s to come. With driving guitars and Morgan’s powerful vocals, this song blends Seether’s signature aggression with an infectious melody, immediately grabbing attention. The lyrics reflect betrayal and inner turmoil, themes that recur throughout the record, while the instrumentation builds a relentless momentum that rarely lets up.

Following this is “Illusion,” where the band explores a more atmospheric sound while maintaining their gritty edge. The track’s slower tempo allows the emotion in Morgan’s voice to take center stage, emphasizing the introspective nature of the song. It’s a stark contrast to the heavier opener, demonstrating the band’s ability to balance aggression with vulnerability.

“Beneath The Veil” is another standout, with a punchy chorus that gets stuck in your head. The track feels like classic Seether, combining powerful riffs with a melodic hook that propels the song forward. Morgan’s lyrics here dig deep into themes of hidden pain and the masks people wear, a lyrical motif that resonates throughout the album.

The album’s middle section, including tracks like “Semblance Of Me” and “Walls Come Down,” continues to explore the tension between self-discovery and emotional unraveling. “Semblance Of Me” features a haunting vocal performance by Morgan, accompanied by Lowery’s sharp, driving guitar work, while “Walls Come Down” ramps up the aggression, with Humphrey’s drumming providing a thunderous backbone.

One of the album’s more reflective moments comes with “Try To Heal,” a track that feels like the emotional heart of The Surface Seems So Far. Here, Seether slows things down to deliver a somber, introspective piece that confronts the difficult process of healing from past wounds. The track’s heavy use of melody creates a striking contrast with the darker lyrical content, showcasing the band’s ability to weave emotional depth into their heavy sound.

“Paint The World” picks the pace back up, delivering another anthemic rocker with plenty of bite. This song, like many on the album, speaks to the idea of battling inner demons, with Morgan’s raw vocal delivery cutting through the dense wall of sound. It’s a cathartic track that taps into Seether’s ability to channel personal anguish into something that feels triumphant.

“Same Mistakes” is another highlight, with its catchy hooks and sharp instrumentation, before the band veers into darker territory again with “Lost All Control.” Here, the lyrics convey a sense of chaos and inner conflict, and the music follows suit, with jagged guitar lines and a driving rhythm section that feels unrelenting.

As the album reaches its conclusion, “Dead On The Vine” delivers one of the most haunting moments. The song builds from a subdued intro into an explosive crescendo, with Morgan’s vocals conveying a sense of despair and urgency. It’s a fitting lead-in to the final track, “Regret,” which closes the album on a powerful and introspective note. “Regret” feels like the emotional release after a storm, as the band slows down to reflect on past mistakes and unresolved pain, leaving listeners with a sense of catharsis.

Overall, The Surface Seems So Far is a masterclass in balancing intensity with emotion. Shaun Morgan and his bandmates craft a cohesive and powerful album that remains true to Seether’s roots while pushing their sound forward. The combination of Morgan’s raw, emotive vocals, Stewart’s thunderous bass lines, Lowery’s aggressive yet melodic guitar work, and Humphrey’s pounding drums creates a sonic landscape that is as introspective as it is explosive.

For fans of Seether’s past work, this album will feel like a natural progression, delivering the same hard-hitting rock they’ve come to expect, while adding new layers of emotional complexity. The Surface Seems So Far is a testament to Seether’s staying power and their ability to continuously evolve while staying grounded in the raw, unapologetic emotion that has defined their career.