Album Review: Senna – Stranger To Love (SharpTone Records)

‘Stranger to Love’ is the debut full-length album of German progressive metalcore newcomers Senna. It will be released on May 23rd via SharpTone Records.

, and Europe as a whole, has been producing plenty of modern metalcore goodness in recent times, and while Senna are cut from a similar cloth, the progressive edge they have helps make them stand out. Especially as their use of melody is prevalent throughout.

Beginning things in anthemic fashion, Hurricane does sound like a single, especially because of its chorus, but that’s not a negative. Far from it, in fact, its robust heavy rhythms and alternative twists on the metalcore formula hits nicely. Senna introducing listeners to their sound carefully, as the following Rain really sees the band stretch their progressive muscles.

There, and throughout, it’s the guitars that really create the unique sonic environment, backed up with a punchy drum section and vocals that are smoothly powerful. You won’t often here the word ‘accessible’ used to describe anything considered progressive, but that’s what Senna do and do so well. Hitting memorable highs with vivid alternative rockier efforts like Blackout and High Note, the latter of which has these brilliant flare-ups of heaviness and one of the album’s most infectious choruses.

It’s a diverse listen, which isn’t always something you expect from metalcore, but Senna aren’t restricted by genres and the proof can be found across the album. Especially when a series of tracks like Bodyguard, Drunk Dial Anthem, Potential, and Breeze come along. Listeners will hear effects-driven melodies, electrifying beats, vibrant atmosphere, energised groove, and no small number of wacky touches that add a unique flavour to things.

You’ll either be head over heels in love with it at this stage, or you’ll have already turned it off. There’s no chance that anyone will find themselves indifferent, there’s far too much to take in and far too many different ideas to not have an opinion one way or another. I don’t love everything here, but when Senna nail it, they really freaking nail it, such as with a track like Cliffhanger. One of the album’s strongest and most listenable anthems.

Whereas NS:LC isn’t too remarkable, at least until the end when a riotous explosion of heaviness transforms the track impressively. Finally, it’s Polarised, a track that features Our Mirage and shows just how creative a band Senna are.

Which is very bloody creative. Stranger to Love is a strong debut album.

Senna – Stranger to Love Track Listing:

1. Hurricane
2. Rain
3. Blackout
4. High Note
5. Bodyguard
6. Drunk Dial Anthem
7. Potential
8. Breeze
9. Cliffhanger
10. NS:LC
11. Polarised (ft. Our Mirage)

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