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Unearth - The March

Published October 14 2008


*
=Staff's pick

My Will Be Done*
Hail The Shrine
Crow Killer
Grave Of Opportunity*
We Are Not Anonymous*
The March
Cutman
The Chosen*
Letting Go
Truth Or Consequence
(Hidden Untitled Track)


Genre Power/Thrash Metal
Trevor Phipps
Vocals
Tracks 11
Buzz McGrath
Guitar
Runningtime 47 Min.
Ken Susi
Guitar
Label Metal Blade
John "Slo" Maggard
Bass
Release 14 October 2008
Derek Kerswill
Drums
Country USA
-
Keyboard
Similar artists Grip Inc., All That Remains, Arch Enemy

The chosen reign for the stings of conscience is rekindled in The March of the black hearts. Unearth have bled dry the well of inspiration, stepping up the riffs and writing on sonic autopilot. The unearthen wares of Boston's unstoppable conviction, sound the announcement that they are not the eponymous, but they are the dedicated.

Derek Kerswill joins the sanctity of brothers, bringing with him his expertise, and command performance. Adam Dutkiewicz has returned to the floor, warming the oncoming fire and tides of passion. All this makes for an awesome micro brewry of killer cuts, Man, and intelligent design. The songwriting has tremendously improved. The melodies are more memorable, the solos are in abundance, and the lyrics are imaginative, such that this glorious nightmare continues.

The blistering chords of Buzz Mcgrath, the sybaritic cadence of Ken Susi; the slow groove of Mr. Maggard, measured by the pummelling persistance of the seamless, dynamic Derek, all contribute to the success Unearth now enjoy. Trevor reeks with anger and spite, and yet there is still a suggestive calmness to his angst; almost as if his frustrations are mitigated by an appreciate for life itself.

The March is a mutation of cold culled riffs, manic grooves, and chunky heavy shit, riddled with small pieces of Korn. I acknowledge that breakdowns are necessary, as Unearth helped to spawn this form. However, Unearth have matured from intentional "rot-gut riffing", and their chaos addled songwritng is evidence of this.

From the opening sting of 'My Will Be Done', the harmony and corruption begins. This is elevated by the praiseworthy 'Hail The Shrine'. It is as if Buzz has been inspired by Waldemar Sorychta. I hear a great deal of melodies reminiscient of Despair and Grip Inc. There is a also a vibrant '80s impact with songs like 'We Are Not Anonymous', and 'The Chosen'. Arch Enemy fans will also enjoy the consistent stigmatic anthems of rebellion.

Unearth, like All That Remains, have not abandoned their roots, but have become the pulse and lifeblood of a new movement. This energetic, compassionate, call for rediscovery, is the future of Metal, hard to the core, but not embittered. I champion them for writing another excellent album.

Not every track is a winner, as 'Letting Go', co written by "Slo" is sincere, but loses the momentum The March manifests. Another curiosity, is the last track, which has no title, is brief, and concludes with broodish dead air space; so that the album, itself, musically, is really under 40 minutes. I'm not thrilled with their choice in the trivial Travis Smith's art design, either. All these are minor quibbles, and again Unearth have created some kind of moster of magnificence.

See also review of: III: In The Eyes Of Fire
See also: interview with Derek Kerswill

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

8,5

7

8

7

8,5

 
Summary



8 chalices of 10 - Michael the MettleAngel


Related links:

www.unearth.tv
www.myspace.com/unearth