Sidus Premiere “Stage III: Seismos” Video From New EP Seismos
Posted in Bootleg Theater on July 27th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
Textural heavy post-rock/metal instrumentalists Sidus released their three-song Seismos EP on June 18 through Argonauta Records. For the Berlin-by-way-of-Athens four-piece, it is their second EP behind 2020’s Seasons Reversed and a slew of singles and remixes tossed about their Bandcamp page, the very address of which speaks to their Greek roots while their actual sound is more varied as presented on the new offering. Delivered in three parts, “Stage I: Rupture” (3:09) leads off, followed by “Stage II: Seismic Wave” (6:17), and “Stage III: Seismos” (8:46) closes, each piece shifting fluidly from one to the next if not directly bleeding. Silence has a presence here as well, and the band seem no less at home in minimal spaces than in the precision crush they loose in the second two of these three songs, which, in following the EP’s stated theme based around earthquakes or an earthquake, is when the shaking happens.
Founded at the dawn of this troubled decade by Spyros Olivotos (also bassist for Argonauta-denizen post-metallers Unverkalt), the band land at their first effort with their current lineup with a corresponding sense of departure. Also issued in 2020 as their first single, “Envy” from the debut EP hinted at Eurodoom mournfulness, and even the underlying rush that the title-track of Seasons Reversed seemed to be in has more or less dissipated for Seismos, which executes even its heaviest assault methodically. To mix and master, Sidus worked with Steve Lado at SL Studios, and the drums/percussion were done by Kostas Milonas at Bree Studios in Athens, and that would seem to imply that the guitar, bass, keys, various and were self-recorded.
If that’s true — and it’s entirely possible I’m wrong; I’m human and that shit happens — it would be the first time or at very least one of the few 
the band hasn’t worked with producer Panagiotis Katsaounis at P.K. Productions in Greece, but the timing on their relocating to Berlin might also be a factor there. But in comparison to what they’ve done in the last couple years, Sidus‘ sound has taken on new dimension with this EP, and one has to allow that a shift in the recording process might be part of why.
One way or the other, Seismos — its theme further applied as a metaphor for panic attacks — is rich in its depth. Quiet at the start of “Stage I: Rupture,” growing metallic in tone for “Stage II: Seismic Wave,” a last chug and guitar howl there signaling the end of chaos inner or outer, and bringing a more atmospheric approach to “Stage III: Seismos” that has aspects of Neurosis circa 2001-’04 — there’s some “Stones From the Sky” in the thickened-riff sweep of the crescendo, and the initial guitar reach reminds of the end of “Burn” — they are very clearly working on a broader trajectory than any one piece of the three might encapsulate, but each cut stands on its own well.
The first is synthy post-rock, evocative and more than a soundscape but also that, with strums of threatening distortion creeping in near the finish. Of course, that’s a preface for the post-metalcore riffing of “Stage II: Seismic Wave,” which it’s easy to imagine both emo and death growl vocals accompanying, maybe together, and which veers into blastbeats with slower keyboard on top for a pre-midsection shove that is as tumultuous as Sidus get, followed by a brief break and rebuild in the second half of the song, its aforementioned chugging resolution coming through as firmly declarative.
And while “Stage III: Seismos” is intended to capture the inward brain-on-fire, chest-tightening tremor that panic becomes when physically manifest, it’s more than aural anxiety, and unfurls itself with complexity drawn from the two songs preceding, whether that’s the ambience of the opener or the more aggressive punch of the centerpiece. “Stage III: Seismos” becomes a fitting culmination for the release in finding a figurative middle between the first and second tracks, and the use of theme throughout demonstrates another way in which Sidus are growing — you know, to go with the lineup, the move from Greece to Germany, the production — as they continue their pursuit of the intangible toward their inevitable debut full-length, when and however they may get there.
Video for “Stage III: Seismos” premieres below. Heads up on suicidal imagery and implications if that’s a trigger for you. Words from the band and more follow from the PR wire.
Please enjoy:
Sidus, “Stage III: Seismos” video premiere
Sidus on “Stage III: Seismos”:
“The calm before the storm. Loss of control. Finally the explosion hits. Experiencing a complete mental and physical breakdown. Everything feels unstable, unsure, impermanent. Time stops and you need to face your worst fears. Panic attack is finally realized. Carrying the scars of this life changing experience as faultlines. However, even if an earthquake has the power to destroy its surroundings, we still find the strength to adapt and evolve, optimizing our survival mechanism.”
Credits:
Created by Sidus.
Mixed and mastered by Steve Lado at SL Studios, Athens, Greece.
Drums and percussion recorded by Kostas Milonas at Bree Studios, Athens, Greece.
Album cover designed by Vagelis Petikas (Revolver Design), Athens, Greece.
Released via Argonauta Records.
Video production by Giuseppe D’Addurno.
Acting by Matteo Forni.
Listen on all major platforms: https://ingrv.es/seismos-md1-y
‘Seismos’ is a three song concept album about earthquakes. The theme of the songs correlates this explosive phenomenon to the individual fear and shock of a panic attack. The album explores the breathtaking beauty of this natural disaster, while raising awareness about mental health issues. Intense earthquakes create the unsettling feeling of insecurity due to their disastrous characteristics. The three songs are describing the genesis (‘Rupture’), path (‘Seismic Wave’) and expression (‘Seismos’) of the event. In the same way, panic attacks are often described in three stages.
The early stage starts with a mental fog/blur. Shortly after, several body parts are acting out of control while the person feels kind of paralyzed, leading to the final expression, which is the collapse of the entire body (the shivering). Even though an earthquake (or the experience of a panic attack) is an intense event, there is always a calming period of realization afterwards. The last calming moments of the EP is resembling the hopeful sense of security when the control is restored and the event has passed.
Hailing from Athens (based in Berlin), Sidus have carved a reputation for crafting cinematic, instrumental compositions in the same vein as bands like God Is An Astronaut, Russian Circles and The Ocean Collective. The band started out as a one-man project by Spyros Olivotos, which has seen the release of one EP and two singles (‘Seasons Reversed’ November 2020, ‘Pale Dot’ June 2021, and ‘Dark Flames’ December 2021). Their latest single ‘Dark Flames’ has been their most impactful release to date, gaining solid recognition among the genre-seeking audience. The band is currently working on their first debut album and are planning their first live shows.
