Published: August 22, 2019 

SERTRALINE is “the most aurally decadent Post-Black Metal band to hit the scene in the last few years. Their impact comes primarily from a combination of melodic saturation and individual expertise.” Most of the members previously played together for over a decade in the band WHERE SHE WEPT, and the chemistry in this six-piece is obvious. “From Both our Hands” is the band’s second EP, and contains three tracks.

“Hounds of Avarice” opens the EP. It opens with some fuzzy feedback and some ominous and depressing clean guitar tones. It slowly develops into a cadence with steady drumming. The vocals are absolutely guttural and harrowing. A hard driving riff appears at around the half-way mark, and the song rides the fence between sad and depressing and angry and full of rage. It picks up towards the end and ends with energy and devotion. “The Knowledge of Trees” opens with a distorted guitar riff and a faster pace. It develops into a fascinating blend of Black Metal with Post-leanings. The depressive sound is noteworthy, and permeates the entire track.

“Entwined” closes the album, and it’s a mammoth, at over seven minutes in length. It opens with a slow grind and some despondent tones. I like the sound that the guitars build…this is a very pretty song disguised as Black Metal. The melodies are intricate and it doesn’t sound like the other two songs on the album. The harrowing elements are there as well. This song has a nice balance between the two. It’s hard to judge an album from just three tracks, but I think I have the sense of what the band was trying to accomplish. “Sertaline” is the generic word for Zoloft, an anti-depressant. This album has that in large doses but the hope of a brighter future can be found in melodic moments that are just hidden beneath the surface. If you’re a fan of Post-Black Metal, I think you will find “From Both our Hands” to be a real gem.