The Kovenant continue their travel towards different musical horizons. The band's black metal roots are buried under futuristic, electric soundscapes. At least they understood to change their name from Covenant... If something is similar with the dark past, it is nihilistic and anti-religious lyrics. 'SETI' will surely cause reactions among its listeners. Well, isn't it better to be loved or hated than not being noticed at all?

I believe that the reactions this album will cause will be very varying. My opinion is, that now The Kovenant have moved towards what 'Animatronic' (1999) partly did; melting electronics with some metal influences with futuristic, sci-fi feel. 'SETI' sounds simplistic, but during repeated listenings it proves to be a bit deeper. Some of the simple and boring songs' masquerades begin to fall soon and true content starts its ascent towards nearby galaxies, but is it enough? The album's length proves to be an obstacle. There is not enough variety on offer. There's harder songs and then there's more atmospheric slow ones, but still the variety isn't enough to keep it interesting all the way through. Also, the length of some of the songs is an obstacle. The trademark The Kovenant melodies are just something I'm not fond of, and this pretty much nails it down for this one. The Kovenant are now much closer to Depeche Mode gone metal than Mayhem gone electro. Yeah, this is more suitable to goth clubs than metal clubs, easily. If only there were more songs like 'Star by Star' (a music video was made for the song, which is the correct choice for a single)...

About the bonus stuff: 'Subtopia' is a slow, atmospheric song and 'The Memory Remains' is an interesting, to say the least, cover of the Metallica song.

The electronics are like partly ripped from old science fiction movies, sounding a bit funny, of course, but they are okay for any sci-fi freak (like me). Basically whole electronic side of the album is very well made and in some of the songs it controls the whole structure. But how's the metal, then? It's simplistic, industrial style. Psy Coma's guitars are heavy, partly made in atmospheric way. Drums are something one would never expect from Hellhammer (a.k.a. Von Blomberg, in Mayhem, ex-Jørn etc. x666). Also well performed, with nice tricks. The album is extremely produced, which is better than garage sound with any album of this ilk. The guitars have some scratches left in, but otherwise, it is all very polished.

"SETI" is abbreviated from "search for extra-terrestrial intelligence". Considering the nihilistic nature of the lyrics, maybe Lex Icon should have named the album "STI", meaning "search for terrestrial intelligence". Which this world seems to be short of. Religious matters go hand in hand with space-themed lyrics, all in very humankind hating way. Lex Icon (a.k.a. Nagash, in Troll, ex-Dimmu Borgir etc.) has broadened his vocal range, but do not wait for any blackish outlet. His singing isn't admirable, thanks to Marilyn Manson-esque feel. MARILYN MANSON IS A COCKSUCKING HE-BITCH, so it's beyond my undrestanding why anyone would like to sound like him! It's a tad better than on 'Animatronic', but still I'm pretty much annoyed by the vocals. Female soprano vocals are used a lot, but this time they are sung by Eileen Kupper, not Sarah Jezebel Deva. Ms. Kupper does similar job, which is good enough job.

Musically, 'SETI' is the most listener friendly output from the band. Or is it really, when thinking of its possible targets? For what this is, this could be one of the better electro metal albums "out there". And I can count good ones by the fingers of my one hand. The Kovenant have matured, or gothified, you like it or not. I like this partly, but the main vocals and the band's trademark melodies ruin this for me.

Rating: 5½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
05/05/2003 20:28