"Alive but Somewhere Else" is the sophomore release by Melodic Death Metal band SENESCERE, and first release as a quartet, evolving from the solo project of guitarist Alden Bradstock. It follows 2015's "The Warmth and The Lost" debut record. The band's sound mixes Post-Rock and Progressive Metal elements into their Melodeath sound, taking influences from bands such as AMORPHIS, OPETH or KATATONIA.

Opener "Freezing of the Hillside" is a pleasant Post-Rock instrumental, with sweet, layered guitars and tasteful soloing atop its melodic backdrop. A gentle beginning that eases the listener into the album. It flows smoothly into the aggressive "Lost in the Cold". It features a powerful contrast between harsh vocals and melodic, slightly distorted guitars. Some strong Alternative Rock elements, evocative of ALICE IN CHAINS, mixed with the Melodic Death Metal sound of the band.

"The Low Clouds" comes next, with its conversational, harsh vocal delivery on the verses juxtaposing in a dramatic way with the passionate, clean singing on the chorus. SENESCERE goes for frantic, high-energy instrumentation on the verses. Nathan Heavel lays down a nasty groove on the bass. The KATATONIA influences become apparent here. A lovely, clean and reverb-laden coda closes off the track.

A more modern sound appears on "Alive", with the clever choice of adding synths to the instrumentation, as they fit nicely and contribute to the sense of urgency of the track. Some tasty lead work from Alden Bradstock here, filling in spaces with brief shreddy solos as well as some squeaks and noises.

"Melted" is another lovely, Post-Rock instrumental that works as an interlude. A warm bassline, some charming clean guitars and subtle drum work is all it takes for the band to deliver a gorgeous respite from the album's heavier side. "Aging Affinity" goes next, with its tom-tom heavy drumming, feeling very percussive and hypnotic. It brings "Blackwater Park"-era OPETH to mind with its songwriting, specially the way it builds and shifts. Some vocal harmonies contribute to the nostalgic feel of the track, while more Alternative Rock influences bleed into the band's sound.

Closer "Moon and Sun" goes for an epic, proggy end, with a shifting song structure and notable use soft-heavy-soft dynamics. Bradstock gets to shred a lot more and the whole band indulges in their diverse sounds and influences, given more time to explore disparate ideas. There are even some Gothic passages with subtle vocal harmonies on the last third of the track. An ethereal, reverb-drenched coda closes the record in a fashionable manner.

"Alive but Somewhere Else" is a solid sophomore effort, but it shows a band in flux, still working to find its voice and where it wants to go with its music. Both instrumentals on the record show their talent for writing subtle, atmospheric soundscapes while the heavier tracks struggle to differentiate themselves, except for a couple of efforts, most notably on the last track or the fun "Alive". The talent is there and it is easy to find it on this record, with a little more focus and a clearer vision, SENESCERE would be putting excellent stuff without a doubt!