Unearth Albums (5)
What The Critics Say
2006's III: In the Eyes of Fire saw Unearth score their commercial breakthrough (as it reached number 45 on the album charts). But they accomplished this feat without the input of longtime producer Adam Dutkiewicsz (yep, the same chap who is an integral member of Killswitch Engage), as renowned producer Terry Date manned the boards. But on their follow-up -- and fourth studio album overall, 2008's The March, the lads have reunited once more with Señor Dutkiewicsz, and the results are as hard-hitting and gloriously metallic as ever before. While many focus on the hardcore hollering (and thinking man's lyrics) of the group's frontman, Trevor Phipps, perhaps more than any of their previous albums, The March proves once and for all that Unearth is one mighty guitar band. The twin six-string team of Buz McGrath and Ken Susi is one of metal's finest, and it doesn't take long to prove this -- just check out the kick-off track, "My Will Be Done," which features some pretty darn tasty guitar work. But that said, Phipps still has more than enough room to stretch out with some interesting lyrical concepts, and this time out, "Crow Killer" is the standout ditty, as it focuses on the story of Jeremiah Johnson, who supposedly sought a relentless and bloody revenge on the Crow Indians (hence the song's title), after they killed his wife. And as evidenced by tracks such as "Grave of Opportunity," Unearth has pretty much perfected their hardcore-meets-Iron Maiden style/approach by this point. The March proves that all the early accolades were well worth it: Unearth has grown into one of metal's leading outfits. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
'III: In the Eyes of Fire'
Release Date 8/8/2006
Tracks 11
Label Metal Blade
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What The Critics Say
When Boston metalcore favorites Unearth made the jump to Metal Blade, they didn't forget the record label that gave them their start, Eulogy -- or at least Eulogy didn't forget them. Who knows? Fact is, the result was 2005's Our Days of Eulogy, a fare-thee-well release compiling 13 live and out of print recordings that the band's ever-growing legion of fans will likely snap up with relish. First up are five explosive live performances -- including fan favorites such as "Fuel the Fire," "Only the People," and "One Step Away" -- which together formed the backbone of the band's acclaimed first album, and are curiously introduced here (with simultaneous doses of supreme irony and frank reverence) by Mötley Crüe's "In the Beginning." Next, there are four cuts originally comprising 2002's rather brilliant Endless EP, which, as well as confirming that the inspirational winning streak displayed on Unearth's first album was no fluke, proved that neither was their commitment to making heavy metal an integral part of their songwriting henceforth. Finally, there come the four tracks originally released as the band's, until now, very rare Above the Fall of Man EP, where formative songs like "Shattered by the Sun" and "Convictions" reveal a distinctly raw side and may therefore surprise fans who arrived in later years. [Not ones to miss a great promotional opportunity, Eulogy took advantage of their final Unearth release to include a bonus disc sampling their most promising acts, including Evergreen Terrace, On Broken Wings, and Black My Heart, among others.] ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
'The Oncoming Storm'
Release Date 6/29/2004
Tracks 12
Label Metal Blade
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
If Unearth wanted to cover a classic Dean Martin hit, the logical choice would be 1960's "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" -- not because The Oncoming Storm sounds anything at all like the late Rat Pack crooner, but because Unearth does, in fact, feel like a kick in the head. Mercy is not a high priority on this 2004 release, which demonstrates just how nasty, punishing, and downright vicious the metalcore style can be. Some of Unearth's riffing hints at thrash metal, but The Oncoming Storm is a metalcore disc first and foremost -- and most of the bands that were part of thrash in the '80s and early '90s (Metallica, Megadeth, Exodus, Anthrax, among others) were not as harsh as Unearth. From Trevor Phipps' screaming vocals to the band's suffocating use of density, tracks like "Black Hearts Now Reign," "Lie to Purify," and "Failure" pack a brutal punch. Those who don't comprehend metalcore (which is definitely an acquired taste) might wonder why a disc that merits words like harsh, nasty, vicious, and punishing would appeal to anyone -- what do Unearth's fans get out of such an album? Why would they appreciate and enjoy something that's so unmusical? And the answer is that for Unearth and other metalcore units, The Oncoming Storm is all about the thrill of pure, raw exhilaration as well as emotional catharsis; Phipps' nonstop screaming is very cathartic for Unearth and their fans in the mosh pit. The Oncoming Storm falls short of remarkable, but it's a noteworthy, generally decent demonstration of metalcore's harshly exhilarating powers. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'The Stings of Conscience'
Release Date 1/16/2001
Tracks 10
Label Eulogy
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Hardcore albums never sound this perfect, nor do most death or black metal albums for that matter. In fact, it would not be a stretch to announce this as the holy grail of the new breed of European metal-influenced hardcore that has sprung up recently with the likes of Shadow's Fall, Darkest Hour, Red Roses for a Blue Lady, Sevenday Curse, All That Remains, and several others. Upon initially listening to this CD, many might require essays to describe the utter awe and complete mind-trip this album is likely to reign over them. Maybe it is comparable to those first Heartwork, Left Hand Path, Slaughter of the Soul, or In the Nightside of Eclipse experiences, jaw-dropping affairs that change listeners' views of music -- in said genre of course. Defying every expectation set upon the hardcore genre, The Stings of Conscience draws upon the bottomless pool of European metal talent (plus the occasional overt American influence) and melds it with traditional hardcore. The result brings about the most blissfully indulgent, entrancing, and overall greatest hardcore release ever. After a pleasant but normal opening track, the unleashing of terror and technical dismay arrives on "One Step Away," when the lead guitar suddenly bursts into a sparkling array of repetitive siren-like guitar harmonics, almost George Lynch-ian in nature minus 110% of Dokken (if that makes any sense). From this point on, one becomes enthralled, with attention completely taken for the entire duration of this blistering album. "Only the People" throws out the first blatant influence when, strikingly right in the middle of the song, the guitars break into the all-too familiar upbeat In Flames gallop. The centerpiece title track reads as a musical bible for who's who in '90s extreme metal. Rapid-fire Children of Bodom guitars begin the event, quickly shifting from In Flames riffery to the progressive head-shifting artistry of Cynic and Atheist. Soon the guitars flourish into a thick Gothenburg-esque movement that could have easily been culled from Eucharist's Mirrorworlds, before shifting back into progressive hardcore territory. Sound of Perseverance-era death rises forth, as syncopated drums guide the music into a flourishing Mike Amott-Carcass meets In Flames finish. Whew! You get the picture, but to paint it clearer, here are several other influences you are bound to stumble across on The Stings of Conscience: Naglfar, Dark Tranquillity, Meshuggah, At the Gates, Soilwork, Only Living Witness, Katatonia, Opeth, and countless more. Even if it is for a brief moment, they exist regardless of whether or not this unknown American hardcore band from Massachusetts intended it to be so. Vocalist Trevor Phipps has a traditional hardcore rasp, interspersed with clean segments that recall Poison the Well's finer moments. At the same time, the tight and busy drumming of Mike Rudberg and the bass work of Chris Rybicki are the rhythmic glue that makes the twin-guitar dynamics of Buz McGrath and Ken Susi sound so damn profound. Eulogy strikes again! What are you waiting for? Go buy this, now! ~ Jason Hundey, All Music Guide
