Erra (album)

Erra
Studio album by
Erra
ReleasedMarch 19, 2021
GenreProgressive metalcore
Length53:27
LabelUNFD
Producer
  • Carson Slovak
  • Grant McFarland
Erra chronology
Neon
(2018) 		Erra
(2021) 		Cure
(2024)
Singles from Erra
  1. "Snowblood"
    Released: August 27, 2020
  2. "House of Glass"
    Released: November 19, 2020
  3. "Divisionary"
    Released: January 13, 2021
  4. "Scorpion Hymn"
    Released: February 3, 2021
  5. "Shadow Autonomous"
    Released: March 11, 2021
  6. "Vanish Canvas"
    Released: October 7, 2021
  7. "Nigh to Silence"
    Released: January 21, 2022
  8. "Stockholm Syndrome"
    Released: February 23, 2022
Deluxe edition cover
Artwork used for the deluxe edition cover.

Erra (stylized in all caps) is the fifth studio album by American progressive metalcore band Erra. It was released on March 19, 2021 through UNFD. The album was produced by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland. It is the band's first studio release with the label and the last album to feature guitarist Sean Price before he left the band in March 2022.[1][2][3]

Background and promotion

[edit]

On August 27, 2020, the band announced that they had parted ways with Sumerian Records and signed with UNFD, and they released a new single "Snowblood" along with a corresponding music video.[4][5] On November 19, the band released another single "House of Glass".[6][7]

On January 13, 2021, the band released the third single "Divisionary" along with an accompanying music video. At the same time, the band officially announced the album itself, the album cover, the track list, and release date.[8][9] On February 3, one and a half months before the album's release, the band unveiled the fourth single, "Scorpion Hymn".[10][11] On March 11, the band released the fifth single, "Shadow Autonomous".[12][13] On September 10, just under six months after the album's original release, the band released an instrumental version of the album.[14][15]

On October 7, the band unveiled a new version of the song "Vanish Canvas" featuring Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox along with its music video.[16][17] On January 21, 2022, the band released the seventh single "Nigh to Silence" while also announcing the deluxe edition of the album which is set to be released on March 18. At the same time, the band officially revealed the album cover and the track list.[18][19] On February 23, one month before the release, the band released their cover of Muse's "Stockholm Syndrome" on streaming music services.[20][21]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Distorted Sound8/10[22]
Metal Injection8.5/10[23]
New Noise[24]
Rock 'n' Load10/10[25]
Wall of Sound9/10[26]

Erra received generally positive reviews from critics. Distorted Sound scored the album 8 out of 10 and said: "Undeniably the most pivotal moment of their metalcore span so far – ERRA have delivered the goods when it mattered most. Laser focused on highlighting their pros, this self titled-record makes its incredible production job pay dividends. It's modern metalcore as you know it, but just done really, really well."[22] Metal Injection rated the album 8.5 out of 10 and stated, "Defined by polished experimentation and a breathtaking balance between melody and heaviness, we witness Erra reaching for and finally fully grasping greatness on this self-titled."[23] New Noise gave the album 4 out of 5 and stated: "ERRA is a mesmerizing distillation of ERRA's thirteen-year career, one that boldly refracts and refines the group's sound for the uncertain future ahead."[24]

Rock 'N' Load praised the album saying, "ERRA is, in short, phenomenal. Every single instrument works in perfect unison to create these massive soundscapes that fit effortlessly around the crushing walls of aggressive sound Erra have mastered the creation of. From the opening notes to the closing seconds, I found myself completely absorbed within the evolved sound that Erra has crafted and can recommend this release to metal fans without a single second thought."[25] Wall of Sound gave the album almost a perfect score 9/10 and saying: "Honestly, this album is a HUGE development from their last. It is unpredictable, memorable and precisely executed in every aspect. I think they'll find a lot of their older original fans returning with this album and a huge number of new fans as well. Strong, driving, technical metalcore riffs and melodic undertones are ERRA's bread and butter, but this album really takes all of that to another level."[26]

The album was elected by Loudwire as the 14th best rock/metal album of 2021.[27]

Track listing

[edit]
Erra track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Snowblood"4:13
2."Gungrave"4:00
3."Divisionary"3:41
4."House of Glass"4:20
5."Shadow Autonomous"5:17
6."Electric Twilight"4:25
7."Scorpion Hymn"3:50
8."Lunar Halo"5:51
9."Vanish Canvas"4:46
10."Eidolon"4:37
11."Remnant"4:20
12."Memory Fiction"4:07
Total length:53:27[28]
Deluxe edition bonus tracks[18]
No.TitleLength
13."Sol Absentia"4:03
14."Psalm of Sedition"4:02
15."Nigh to Silence"5:04
16."Vanish Canvas" (new version; featuring Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox)4:46
17."Stockholm Syndrome" (Muse cover)5:21
18."Light My Way" (Audioslave cover)5:28
19."Heresy" (Nine Inch Nails cover)4:32
Total length:86:43

Personnel

[edit]

Erra

  • J.T. Cavey – unclean vocals, backing clean vocals
  • Jesse Cash – guitar, clean vocals
  • Sean Price – guitar, backing vocals
  • Conor Hesse – bass, backing vocals
  • Alex Ballew – drums, backing vocals

Additional personnel

  • Carson Slovak – production, mixing, mastering, recording
  • Grant McFarland – production, mixing, mastering, recording
  • Josh Johnson – assistant engineering
  • Jeff Kardos – artwork, design

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Erra
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[29] 52
US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[30] 20
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[31] 4

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ERRA Announce New Self-Titled Album, Share Music Video for "Divisionary": Stream". Consequence of Sound. January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "ERRA announce self-titled album with new video 'DIVISIONARY'". Rock 'N' Load. January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "Erra guitarist Sean Price quits band". Lambgoat. March 28, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  4. ^ "ERRA Sign With UNFD Records, Debut "Snowblood" Music Video". ThePRP. August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  5. ^ "ERRA Sign to UNFD + Drop New Song 'Snowblood'". Wall of Sound. August 28, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "ERRA Premiere New Song "House Of Glass"". ThePRP. November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  7. ^ "Erra release new song 'House of Glass'". Distorted Sound. November 21, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "This Is Everything You Need To Know About ERRA's New Self-Titled Album". Rock Sound. January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  9. ^ "ERRA Announce Album Release Date + Drop New Single 'Divisionary'". Wall of Sound. January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  10. ^ "ERRA Premiere "Scorpion Hymn"". ThePRP. February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  11. ^ "ERRA Drop New Song 'Scorpion Hymn'". Wall of Sound. February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  12. ^ "ERRA Premiere New Song "Shadow Autonomous"". ThePRP. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  13. ^ "NEWS: ERRA share new song, 'Shadow Autonomous'!". Dead Press!. March 11, 2021. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  14. ^ "ERRA Release Instrumental Version Of Their Self-Titled Album". ThePRP. September 9, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  15. ^ "News: ERRA Release Instrumental Version of 'Snowblind' Album with Tab Book". New Noise. September 14, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  16. ^ "ERRA Surprise Fans with New Version of 'Vanish Canvas' feat. Courtney LaPlante". Wall of Sound. October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  17. ^ "ERRA Premiere Updated Version Of "Vanish Canvas" Featuring Spiritbox's Courtney LaPlante". ThePRP. October 7, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  18. ^ a b "ERRA Announce Deluxe LP With Three Covers + Single 'Nigh to Silence'". Wall of Sound. January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  19. ^ "ERRA Have Released A Brilliantly Exploratory New Track 'Nigh To Silence'". Rock Sound. January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  20. ^ "ERRA Reveal Crushing Muse Cover 'Stockholm Syndrome,' Announce Deluxe Edition of Self-Titled Album". Loudwire. February 23, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  21. ^ "WATCH: ERRA Have Covered Muse's Classic 'Stockholm Syndrome'". Rock Sound. February 24, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  22. ^ a b Pugh, Kris (March 16, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: Erra – Erra". Distorted Sound. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  23. ^ a b Rowe, Riley (March 29, 2021). "Album Review: ERRA Erra". Metal Injection. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Morawitz, Owen (March 19, 2021). "Album Review: ERRA – S/T". New Noise. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  25. ^ a b "ERRA // ERRA // ALBUM REVIEW". Rock 'N' Load. March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  26. ^ a b Porter, Rhiannon (March 15, 2021). "ERRA – ERRA (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  27. ^ "The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021". Loudwire. Townsquare Media. December 10, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  28. ^ "Erra: Self-Titled Album – Total Length". Posting. January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  29. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 29 March 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1621. Australian Recording Industry Association. March 29, 2021. p. 6.
  30. ^ "Hard Rock Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  31. ^ "Erra - Top Heatseekers". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
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