Herra Terra has released a new EP entitled Hyperborean with the title taken from ancient Greek mythology about a race of people from Hyperborea who reportedly lived for 1000 years in complete happiness. The band members include John Paul Tonelli (Lead Vocals, Synths) Gregg Kusumah-Atmadia (Guitar, Synths) Shawn Pelkey (Percussion) and Adrian Bettencourt Andrade (Bass, Synths).
Their sound has been compared to some of the biggest synth-pop / electronic bands around such as Muse, M83 and also likened to NIN as well. The band has been very busy this year after an appearance at SXSW they parted ways with their drummer and label due to conflicts of interest. The result this shuffle is Hyperborean a slick six song Kickstarter funded EP showcasing what makes Herra Terra stand out from the rest of the crowd, strong percussion, intense synthesizers, great lyrics and haunting vocals. Each of these components are evident in the opening song "Portals" a futuristic interpretation of the public's embrace of technology be it satellite phones or the internet in general. With lyrics like "Call me up with your satellite. From your house into the sky. Fill me up with all your love. And I don't mind if sometimes you lie".
Followed by the song "Buried Youth" a lyrically somber topic of how fame can be and in some cases is fabricated for public consumption taking any semblance of a personality and throwing it out the window. With lines like "So cut me a new line as a new high touches down. Anybody that is sold with fame is filled with a selfish gain".
The title tune "Hyperborean" has a sonic whirling background with the lyrical homesick feel "This old town brings me down. You found the sound that brings me home. These old ties will always stay. This is why we sold out. Keep filling it with a riddled answer. Keep filling it with a rhythm and sound" conjuring up that sort of feeling you get when you go back home for the holidays and see your old friends.
The songs "Reason To Lose It", "DeadEnds" and the closer "Kittens" showcase the bands ability to create dark atmospheric synth-pop that works well both on record and with their fantastic live show. The EP tends to sound more like a concept album with each song seamlessly flowing into the next, lyrically it seems as though the boys are realizing the pain of life and growing up. Overall another great one to add to the list of must haves this year.
See also
herraterra.com/
