Drew Beringer
11/16/08, 10:23 PM
Unearth - The March
Release Date: October 14, 2008
Record Label: Metal Blade
Whenever I think or listen to Unearth, I always think of a certain professional wrestler, the one, the only Hunter Hearst Helmsley. It probably doesn’t hurt either that lead vocalist Trevor Phipps remotely resembles Triple H (well, at least to me). Also, it probably isn’t a coincidence that whenever I listen to the Massachusetts quintet’s new album, The March, I feel like I’ve been pulverized by the Pedigree over and over again.
With their fourth studio album (third for Metal Blade Records), Unearth developed a minor concept to the album, as the content of the album represent the good/hopeful and evil/greed sides of humanity. To help the process, the band brought along Adam Dutkiewicz to produce, and with Adam D you better believe you’re getting airtight, powerful guitar riffs that will leave you in a daze. And album opener, the ass-kicking “My Will Be Done,” definitely does not disappoint. With riffs that weave in and out of your ear canal, Phipps booming scream grabs you by the spine and never lets go. Buz McGrath and Ken Susi just absolutely terrorize this album with their unforgiving guitar duels in each track.
Some critics have voiced an opinion in the past about Unearth becoming stale and repetitive, but the first four tracks of The March shatter that idea. “Hail The Shrine” begins with tantalizing riffs and impressive drumming from Derek Kerswill and infuses melody in with the brutality. “Grave of Opportunity” begins with a little more melody than the previous tracks but quickly transitions into shotgun breakdowns.
“We Are Not Anonymous” is one of my favorite tracks on the album, as it just reverberates between your ears and features some sweet gang vocals. “The Cutman” has fine chemistry between the rhythm section and riffs, creating a nice fusion of sounds. “Letting Go” has a slight Southern vibe to it, while closer “Truth or Consequence” is two tracks in one and completes The March with a celebration of riffing and crunching.
It’s safe to say that Unearth will never top 2004’s The Oncoming Storm, but The March is no slouch. It continues the trend of pulverizing guitar riffs while infusing melody throughout. My only gripes with the album is that it loses steam in the middle, some of the lyrics are subpar, and, while the album is still intense, it is missing that “it” factor that the previous albums had. Overall though, if you’re a fan of Unearth and riffs so mean they’ll kick your balls up to your throat., The March is the road you want to take.
Track Listing:
1. My Will Be Done
2. Hail The Shrine
3. Crow Killer
4. Grave of Opportunity
5. We Are Not Anonymous
6. The March
7. Cutman
8. The Chosen
9. Letting Go
10. Truth or Consequence
Produced by: Adam Dutkiewicz
Unearth is:
Trevor Phipps – vocals
Buz McGrath – guitar
Ken Susi – guitar/vocals
John Maggard – bass/vocals
Derek Kerswill – drums
Buy the album now @ http://ax.itunes.apple.com/images/badgeitunes61x15dark.gif (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=288873807&id=288873800&s=143441)
Official Website (http://www.unearth.tv); Offical Myspace Page (http://www.myspace.com/unearth); Official AP.net Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/unearth)
Release Date: October 14, 2008
Record Label: Metal Blade
Whenever I think or listen to Unearth, I always think of a certain professional wrestler, the one, the only Hunter Hearst Helmsley. It probably doesn’t hurt either that lead vocalist Trevor Phipps remotely resembles Triple H (well, at least to me). Also, it probably isn’t a coincidence that whenever I listen to the Massachusetts quintet’s new album, The March, I feel like I’ve been pulverized by the Pedigree over and over again.
With their fourth studio album (third for Metal Blade Records), Unearth developed a minor concept to the album, as the content of the album represent the good/hopeful and evil/greed sides of humanity. To help the process, the band brought along Adam Dutkiewicz to produce, and with Adam D you better believe you’re getting airtight, powerful guitar riffs that will leave you in a daze. And album opener, the ass-kicking “My Will Be Done,” definitely does not disappoint. With riffs that weave in and out of your ear canal, Phipps booming scream grabs you by the spine and never lets go. Buz McGrath and Ken Susi just absolutely terrorize this album with their unforgiving guitar duels in each track.
Some critics have voiced an opinion in the past about Unearth becoming stale and repetitive, but the first four tracks of The March shatter that idea. “Hail The Shrine” begins with tantalizing riffs and impressive drumming from Derek Kerswill and infuses melody in with the brutality. “Grave of Opportunity” begins with a little more melody than the previous tracks but quickly transitions into shotgun breakdowns.
“We Are Not Anonymous” is one of my favorite tracks on the album, as it just reverberates between your ears and features some sweet gang vocals. “The Cutman” has fine chemistry between the rhythm section and riffs, creating a nice fusion of sounds. “Letting Go” has a slight Southern vibe to it, while closer “Truth or Consequence” is two tracks in one and completes The March with a celebration of riffing and crunching.
It’s safe to say that Unearth will never top 2004’s The Oncoming Storm, but The March is no slouch. It continues the trend of pulverizing guitar riffs while infusing melody throughout. My only gripes with the album is that it loses steam in the middle, some of the lyrics are subpar, and, while the album is still intense, it is missing that “it” factor that the previous albums had. Overall though, if you’re a fan of Unearth and riffs so mean they’ll kick your balls up to your throat., The March is the road you want to take.
Track Listing:
1. My Will Be Done
2. Hail The Shrine
3. Crow Killer
4. Grave of Opportunity
5. We Are Not Anonymous
6. The March
7. Cutman
8. The Chosen
9. Letting Go
10. Truth or Consequence
Produced by: Adam Dutkiewicz
Unearth is:
Trevor Phipps – vocals
Buz McGrath – guitar
Ken Susi – guitar/vocals
John Maggard – bass/vocals
Derek Kerswill – drums
Buy the album now @ http://ax.itunes.apple.com/images/badgeitunes61x15dark.gif (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=288873807&id=288873800&s=143441)
Official Website (http://www.unearth.tv); Offical Myspace Page (http://www.myspace.com/unearth); Official AP.net Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/unearth)