Not much information is readily available about American melodic Metal outfit DEATHWHITE, who released their first official EP "Ethereal" at the beginning of July, other than that the three-piece formed in 2012 and that the EP was recorded the spring of 2014 at Very Tight Studios with producer Matt Very.

"Ethereal" is a predominantly gloomy, mid-tempo affair, opening up with the tasteful acoustic title track before plunging into the strong "When I (Wasn't) You. The guitars go from precise and melodic to chord-driven and atmospheric, creating a wall of sound that sweeps over the listener and compliments the vocals very well. The drum work is intricate and active, adding further to the band's startlingly catchy sound. Thematically, it carries an overall depressing mood, but the music itself balances it out with its strong sense of melody and powerful hooks. The band draws inspiration from such post-Metal / Shoegaze groups as KATATONIA and ALCEST, which is easily identifiable in DEATHWHITE's slightly Progressive sound. Another highlight is "Give Up The Ghost," with its solemn mood and delicate clean guitar passages.

"Silenced" is rather similar but is still rather well done, with its heavy, dense riffs and melancholy melodies that remind me a little bit of OPETH (which is a pretty high compliment in my book). The up-tempo "Feeding the Illusion" is another strong track with the vocalist's soaring, powerful vocals contributing to the song's emotional vibe.  "A Burden To Carry" closes out the album with more intricate acoustic guitar and shifting drumbeats, along with a great guitar solo around the 3:15 mark.

With great instrumental performances and a solid production job, "Ethereal" is a good jumping-off point for DEATHWHITE, who I think have a lot of potential. The songs are polished and well executed, even if they carry pretty much the same atmosphere throughout. The band has a very clear, distinct style that is full of melody and emotion. While there's room for improvement as far as song diversity goes, "Ethereal" is nonetheless worth a listen for anyone who enjoys memorable, accessible, and melodic Metal.