"Ether" is the second release by Lamb of God guitarist Mark Morton. It was only last year that Morton released his debut album "Anaesthetic"; and many thought it may be some time before we see any new music from him as a solo artist due to commitments with Lamb of God. But here we are a five track EP which was released in January of this year.
Once again Morton has brought in some friends to help him out. The first track "All I had to Lose" features Mark Morales from Sons of Texas. This is an acoustic ballad and starts off the EP and sets the tone for the EP nicely. Morton has admitted playing acoustic is a bit outside his comfort zone but judging by the efforts on this first track he seems to have seamlessly made the transition from his heavier stuff.
The next track "The Fight" features John Carbone. This song again goes down the acoustic route, but Carbone adds a different vocal style reminiscent of John Frusciante's from the Chili peppers. About half way through the song, the electric guitars do come in giving the song a bit of oomf. Next up is a Black Crows cover of "She talks to Angels" featuring "Lzzy Hale" from Halestorm. Given how famous Halestorm are this was probably the most anticipated track on the album. And it really does not disappoint as Hale puts on an amazing vocal performance. When I first heard this I didn't realise it was a cover. I was thinking that this may be the best track I will hear this year. It is that good. Hale goes for it more and more vocally as the song goes on finishing in an almighty climax. I have heard the Black crows original and also another cover of the song by the guys out of Shinedown. Although both very good versions. This really is a cut above. I just wish it was his own song as I can't really say a cover is the best song of the year - it just doesn't sit right.
"Love my Enemy" is the next track which features Howard Jones. Another amazing song which is a bit heavier than the others as it goes fully electric and has a nice guitar solo in it. Next track "Black" sees Mark Morales back on vocal duty to close out the EP. This time its a cover of Pearl Jam's "Black". This one is also done acoustically showing a nice structure to the EP. Starting off with an acoustic track, second track starts acoustic then transitions to electric, third and fourth track electric before returning to acoustic.
Overall a very well balanced EP and the variety of singers is adds a much welcome variety to the album and something which made his previous album such a success. This time maybe he didn't have maybe as famous a singers performing perhaps maybe with the exception of Lzzy Hale as last time he had the likes of Chester Bennington and Myles Kennedy. But it gives the singers on this album more exposure which can only be a good thing for their own careers and fans discovering new music. This is an excellent EP with no weak tracks. A must listen.
