Artist: Unearth
Label: Metal Blade Records
Release Date: 6/29/04
|
|
Title: The Oncoming Storm Artist: Unearth Label: Metal Blade Records Release Date: 6/29/04 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
3 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
| |||
Abyss's Review:
So I was hanging out with my friend Famine at Ozzfest in Hartford this weekend (we actually arrived too late to see Unearth, unfortunately), and we had a conversation about the whole 'metalcore' scene. Famine came to the conclusion (and I wholeheartedly agree) that there isn't really any such thing as 'metalcore.' Metalcore is a label that record companies exploit to get hardcore kids to buy metal albums. While many who might disagree with this theory will cite the numerous breakdowns and the vocals of these acts as characteristic of hardcore, the simple fact is that metal has always utilized breakdowns, and the vocals in these bands are almost always straight clones of At The Gates. The truth is, the 80s thrash movement had much more in common with true hardcore than any of these new 'metalcore' acts. Hell, it's arguable that Pantera did as well.
"One word review: Again!?!" Of course, I guess this is all pointless because the only thing useful about a genre tag is its ability to give someone who's never heard a certain band a reference point for their sound, and the 'metalcore' tag does that. That being said, this sound is really being run into the ground. Of course it's to be expected considering the same thing happened with nu metal, thrash, death, black, and the Gothenburg sound, and complaining about it won't do a thing.
And yet complain I will, because - let's face it - I'm a critic and that's really all we do. Unearth have come out with a record that I would have liked much more as little as a year ago, but I currently just can't get excited about it. This is unfortunate, because I do believe this is one of the better bands in the genre, but this album isn't really reaching out and punching me in the nuts like recent efforts from Heaven Shall Burn and Watch Them Die. While all of these bands can be considered to be in the same genre, the latter two seem to have carved out their own unique sounds while Unearth are simply one of the better acts doing a sound shared by many.
So end result is that if the thought of another 'metalcore' album isn't putting a bad taste in your mouth (which it is for me . . . actually my crotch is itching as well, but I'm not sure I can blame metalcore for that) you will think this album is killer. I'm sure I would too if I wasn't so fucking sick of this sound. To Unearth's credit, there are some sick riffs and rhythms on this album, but they aren't often enough to really make them stand out. One word review: Again!?!
Death's Review:
It has been fun to watch the growth and evolution of this band, as Unearth added to their metal leanings over time despite the departure of drummer and known power metal freak Mike Rudberg (it was always fun to think that someone in this band had a serious taste for Euro-metal such as Rhapsody). It is great to now see them break out in 2004 with their new record, The Oncoming Storm. Unearth has undeniably become a top priority Metal Blade act, with stints on both Headbanger’s Ball tours, hosting the television program with two videos in serious rotation, and the second stage Ozzfest gig this summer, not to mention a #105 debut on the U.S. Billboard album charts for this album. Life is good for this “second-wave” Gothenburg, Massachusetts metalcore act and it’s nice to see.
"The album as a whole is characterized by great production, killer twin guitar work and cool riffs." I agree with Famine and Abyss that metalcore is just another genre label used to sell metal records to hardcore kids. But I do think there is a distinctive metalcore sound, and frankly, I’m growing tired of it. Yes, I prefer this type of metalcore to the screamo shit, because it features intricate guitar work and twin-guitar melodies. But I am burning out on the overall sound, and find it somewhat predictable. Shadows Fall rule. God Forbid and Killswitch Engage have put out killer new records in 2004. Now Unearth have a good new record too, and I personally endorse it and will support this band. But I hereby issue a warning: I do not expect to be letting many more bands that employ this type of sound into my personal listening pantheon. And I pledge to become increasingly critical of this sound in the months ahead.
That said, I do like this record a lot. If you’ve seen the two Headbanger’s Ball videos, then you are a lot of the way there toward understanding what this is all about. “Black Hearts Now Reign” (the live video that came out a few months back) is undeniably the most anthemic and best track -- to me this is now the signature Unearth song. Video number two is for “The Great Dividers,” the album’s opening track, and this too kicks ass. The rest of the material is also strong. The album as a whole is characterized by great production, killer twin guitar work and cool riffs. Of course, there is a certain predictability to the breakdown riff featured in every song, and I would have liked to hear the band branch out a bit more vocally the way that God Forbid did on “Better Days” or Killswitch Engage did on “Rose of Sharyn.” Perhaps that growth will be exhibited on the next record. Which leads me to my concluding prediction: while The Oncoming Storm is clearly a new highwater mark for Unearth, the evolution away from hardcore and into a deeper, more mature sound is not yet complete. This album is good, but the next record will be their masterpiece.
Hel's Review:
In general, I have always liked Unearth, and the only thing that has prevented me from absolutely loving them is the vocalist's strict adherence to the hardcore scream, which remains the case with The Oncoming Storm. (Toward the end of the record they toss in a few obligatory clean vocals, but they are pretty sparse.) I can't stand hardcore vocals, but in the case of Unearth, I generally put up with them because the music is so darn good. Despite their new label and rising popularity, not much has changed.
"If you are looking for a great metalcore band, one that has excellent musicianship at its core, than Unearth is certainly the band you are looking for." There are certainly more breakdowns than I recall from Stings of Conscience, and I'm very disappointed in the way the drums are buried behind everything else in the production, leaving me with little idea of the true quality of their new drummer. But on the whole, if you liked them before, you'll like this album too. I think the poor drum sound drags the album down a bit, as there are a lot of interesting drum parts in these songs, but you have to strain very hard to hear them. The guitar parts come through quite clearly, however, and there are some staggeringly intricate sections in several of the songs.
I do have to admit that I'm starting to get a little bored with the whole "melodic death meets hardcore" style, but in the grand scheme of these kinds of bands, Unearth has always been, and continues to be, one of the best. I was a little shocked to realize that not one, but two of the songs on this disc already had videos which I have seen numerous times on the various video shows. I believe this, and their current slot on Ozzfest are strong indicators of how behind them their new label is, and they certainly deserve the support.
If you are looking for a great metalcore band, one that has excellent musicianship at its core, than Unearth is certainly the band you are looking for. Be sure to check them out at your local Ozzfest stop, they always put on a great show.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.