Servers - The Vertical Plane

Servers – The Vertical Plane
Release Date: 19th May 2023
Label: Undergroove
Bandcamp
Genre: Metal, Progressive Metal, Rock, Doom, Sludge, Dark Metal.
FFO: Mastodon, Baroness, QOTSA, Oddhums, Therapy?, GU Medicine, Deepshow.
Review By: Mark Young

The Vertical Plane is the 4^th album from Servers, the South Yorkshire quintet who continue to batter and astound with their command of both the heavy and melodic side of heavy music. The first thing that hits is the amazing sense of melody here. They are writing songs that really stick in the mind, but that’s only part of the story as they explore so many different themes, all underpinned with chugging riffs and some great guitar play which is ably supported by the vocals here and are perfect for the live arena.

Absolom starts us going with a droning riff that moves to a hypnotic riff / vocal double-punch, and it absolutely rules as your starting point. Try To Get Some Sleep comes hot on its heels and is a rapid head mover that has so much happening in it. My personal standout is King of Nothing which is a powerhouse of a track, just an absolute cracker of a song and has it all – heaviness and sing-along moments that will be royal live.

As we go through, there is no doubt in my mind that they have those classic rock sensibilities on hand that can be turned to anything as they sit fit. This is apparent on Crimson Tide with that chromatic movement and on Stranglehold which has some slide guitar happening but rocked up to suit. Going back to Crimson Tide for a shout-out, just because that has a hair rising vocal performance in it that catches you out and is stunning to hear. There are some storming riffs throughout this album, but they avoid falling into the trap of repetition, as each song is sonically different from the one before.

You Still Come Willingly has this mad polka thing happening with a Sweet (band) drum behind it which gets a kick over and then takes off. It’s things like this that keep the interest going. Incorruption changes things again with a bendy main riff that drops into Gojira territory that is just excellent. They are not content to merely offer loud vs quiet vs loud then solo that you hear everywhere else. They really are one to watch, and should you get a chance to catch them live you will be in for an evening of some of the most hook laden songs you will have heard in a while, coupled with some jaw-dropping musicianship.

What this shows is that there is an embarrassment of riches to be found within the UK metal scene at present. There are so many great bands, all offering their unique spin on their chosen genre, that we are truly spoiled for choice. Servers have just added to that chest of jewels. Brilliant stuff!