Serrate - Even The Wind Sounds Dead

Labels: Bitter Melody Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 08 Sep 2025

Tracklist:

1. Some Things Never Change

2. The Crushing Weight of Failure

3. Right Side of History

4. My Body Is a Weapon

5. Rise and Fall

6. What God Meant By Mercy

7. Kill For the Ones You Love

8. Devil

9. Not a Single Word Was Spoken

10. Salt and Stone

I'm not far off rounding out 2025 and I haven't yet started to plan 2026. I will set aside some time to think about it over the next couple of weeks though. I am thinking about a re-brand but I'm not so sure that's a great idea.

On with the current program though and the debut album from North Carolinan screamo-adjacent band Serrate. It was released on both vinyl and digital formats back in September (with help from Bitter Melody Records and Zegema Beach Records). I feel like next year is gonna be a year where we see less physical releases. I hope that's not the case though, so keep supporting DIY bands and labels. I'll talk more about this subject a little later on.

I’ve read a few lines about Serrate and their take on screamo-adjacent noises, so I’m excited to be able to finally sit down with their new album. Right off the bat, ‘Some Things Never Change’ strikes me as a melodic yet dark take on screamo, like if Alkaline Trio gave up their clean singing/pop-punk sound and unleashed something harsher instead.. That’s just my initial thoughts after hearing the opening riffs, as things soon move in a heavier direction, more akin to emoviolence and metalcore (if we’re splitting hairs). It’s already way more expansive than I expected. 

‘The Crushing Weight of Failure’ is a song-title that bluntly resonates with my younger self, yet I give less of a shit now. Its scuzzy, noise-rock intro signals the fact that Serrate are happy to throw in some sonic curve balls alongside their metallic chops. Every instrument from the drums, to the bass, guitars and the vocals (because they’re technically an instrument too!) seem to work in perfect harmony. I guess that’s no surprise though given the other bands these musicians have played in before.

I’m only up to track three and I’m already risking it with the length of this review. ‘Right Side of History’ seems like it’s been placed here to save me though, as it blasts it’s way through just over a minute of crazed hardcore with blackened/crust-like moments. ‘My Body Is a Weapon’ slows the atmosphere and momentum down a few notches at first, but after slightly subdued build-up, Serrate move up a gear or three with some of the most caustic yet musically enjoyable screamo you’ll hear this year.

I know that previous statement was bold, but when a band can whip out riffs that sound like they came from a Britpop band, then there’s no stopping them. I’m talking about ‘Rise and Fall’ here, which descend’s into controlled but sonic chaos as it progresses, leading to ‘What God Meant By Mercy’, with it’s immediate mix of anxious-noise and groove. If ever there was a rallying cry in an age where we’re more disconnected than ever, it would be ‘Kill For the Ones You Love’. Yes it’s abrasive at times but it’s also beautifully cathartic. I guess my point here is that we need to stick by each other and stick to what we think is right. Morals and direction don’t have to come from “god” or “religion”. We’re born with and develop both as we grow up.

Apt as it may be after that last sentence, ‘Devil’ throws itself into the mix as the album’s most urgent song. Barely sixty seconds go by as Serrate launch themselves towards the conclusion of the album in no uncertain terms. ‘Not a Single Word Was Spoken’ isn’t an instrumental, so don’t worry. Instead, Serrate take a slightly more stripped-back approach, without as much dissonance and with vocals that sit deeper in the mix. It has a lovely, warming feel to it.

Closer ‘Salt and Stone’ conjures both post-hardcore and art/math-rock images as Serrate lay into your speakers one final time on Even The Wind Sounds Dead. In one sense it is cleansing but in another, it reminds you of just how chaotic life is if you look beyond your comforting bubble. 

I may have gone off on one or more tangents this evening but thats just how it is. Serrate have a knack of writing/making heavy music that does that. This album is excellent all the way though and I know it’s been talked of highly already, but I’m here to sing it’s praises again. Check it out!

You can stream and purchase Even The Wind Sounds Dead digitally as a name-your-price download from Serrate below:-

Serrate Instagram - @serrate.nc

Earlier on I talked about how next year could see less physical releases, which would be devastating. This opinion isn't solely my own, as I've seen people behind DIY/Indie labels say the same over the last few months. That's why I'm hoping that you'll support those labels, especially Bitter Melody Records and Zegema Beach Records, by picking up vinyl copies (of this and other releases) from them via the below links:-

Bitter Melody Records - https://bittermelodyrecords.bigcartel.com

Zegema Beach Records CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases / USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases

Bitter Melody Records - https://www.facebook.com/BitterMelodyRecords/

Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social