Unearth

Sylosis – A Sign of Things To Come Review

By El Cuervo on September 22, 2023 in Reviews, Metalcore, Thrash Metal, 67 comments

“The existence of Sylosis roughly tracks my own experience with non-mainstream metal, running from 2008’s Conclusion of an Age to 2020’s Cycle of Suffering. The band lost me somewhere in the middle as I was diving into the more extreme sub-genres of metal’s sewer, despite my favorable comments on 2015’s Dormant Heart, no doubt induced by a bout of regional favoritism given that they hail from the same bit of the UK as yours truly. Cycle of Suffering represented a roaring return, comfortably my favorite of their albums and comfortably my second favorite album from 2020. Sylosis are one of Britain’s most exciting and energetic bands but how can A Sign of Things to Come hope to match their prior incredible success?” Modern problems.

Bloodletter – Funeral Hymns Review

By Holdeneye on January 18, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 27 comments

“This is year two of Covid and we’re still discovering new ways in which the pandemic is altering the way we live. For instance, we’ve received multiple 2021 promos for Funeral Hymns, the sophomore release from Chicago thrash metal band Bloodletter, but Metal Archives and Bandcamp say it was released in September of 2020. I’m sure we will have more situations like this in the next couple of months. In fact, my review for next week is in the exact same boat. Not knowing who to trust, I’ve decided to trust the only person that I can trust: yours truly.” Blood can’t be dated.

Life Right Now – Avant Garde Review

By Cherd on August 14, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Emo, Hardcore, Metalcore, Nu-metal, Reviews, Self-released, Emo, Metalcore, Nu Metal, Pop Metal, 68 comments

“Let’s start with the title of the band’s debut, Avant Garde. I guess it’s conceivable these lads genuinely don’t know what that phrase means. After all, it’s French. Then again, the band claims to be from the entire world, so. Point is, Avant Garde doesn’t test the outer edges of anything except this reviewer’s patience.” Is this real life?

Killswitch Engage – Atonement Review

By Master of Muppets on August 12, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Metal Blade, Metalcore, Reviews, Metalcore, 52 comments

“All in all, they’ve done a pretty remarkable job of defying AMG‘s Law of Diminishing Records, and yet that very fact made me a bit apprehensive of Atonement. Wouldn’t it be just my luck to score reviewing rights to such a renowned and personally beloved[1. I’ll admit that I’ve cooled on Killswitch and metalcore in general over the years, but they were integral to my dive into the depths ov metal nonetheless, and I say thank ya.] act only for it to be their Cold Lake?” Atone for what?

Obey the Brave – Balance Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on July 18, 2019 in 2019, Canadian Metal, Impericon Records, Metalcore, Reviews, Metalcore, 29 comments

“Of all the things I thought I’d be excited about this year, the metalcore side project of Alex Erian from Despised Icon was not one of them. But sometimes life throws you a delightful curveball, giving you lemonade instead of lemons. Here, life also happened to put a generous double shot of vodka into my lemonade. I’m normally a beer guy, but like an unanticipated alcoholic lemonade, Balance is refreshing.” Drink up.

Through the Noise – Dualism Review

By Master of Muppets on April 29, 2019 in 2019, Eclipse Records, Hardcore, Metalcore, Nu-metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Hardcore, Metalcore, Nu Metal, 34 comments

“This is sure to come as a surprise, what with the kvlt as fvck album art and all, but Through the Noise are about as trve as Santa. With their accessible angst and envelope-friendly chuggatry, these Swedes crabwalk the thick, downtuned line between nü-metal and metalcore, and by all rights, Dualism should have been inflicted upon a n00b. However, there have been far too many 4.0’s awarded as ov late, and I would be remiss to turn down an opportunity to bring you bastards crashing back down to reality, so we are here.” Punishment is due.

Acrid – Wonderland [Things You Might Have Missed 2018]

By Angry Metal Guy on December 30, 2018 in 2018, Death Metal, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2018, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 98 comments

Acrid is a Dutch melodic death metal band that dropped its first album in 1999 after forming in 1994. The band still features three original members and they hail from The Hague in the Netherlands. Acrid plays tight, noodly death metal with a strong Gothenburgian timbre. And they do it remarkably well.

Unearth – Exctinction(s) Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on November 19, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Century Media, Metalcore, Reviews, Metalcore, 43 comments

“I’ve always liked Unearth’s style of metalcore, which I first encountered on the genre classic The Oncoming Storm. That’s their high-water mark for me, and the sound of Americanized Swedish melo-death with the breakdowns of metalcore hit both the melodic and kinetic sweet spots. Yes, structurally it was predictable; you could bet successfully that if there was a chugging bit then a melodic one was right around the corner or vice versa, but it worked like gangbusters. The more Unearth adheres to their established sound, in my view, the better.” Stay in your lane!

Zombies Ate My Girlfriend – Shun the Reptile Review

By Mark Z. on November 4, 2018 in 2018, Burning Tone Records, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, Reviews, South African Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, 40 comments

“Does anyone still give a shit about zombies? Apparently the creators of the next Resident Evil game are wondering how they’re going to “make zombies scary again,” and that concern is a direct reflection of the cultural over-saturation of zombies that’s occurred in the last decade or so. Thus, when I first saw the name of South African quintet Zombies Ate My Girlfriend, I rolled my eyes so hard I saw my brain. Yet when I actually listened to their 2015 debut Retrocide, I surprisingly didn’t hate it, although their brand of core-informed melodic death metal was still a little rough around the edges. Nonetheless the band’s animated riffing and general craziness made me intrigued and curious to hear what they’d spew out next.” Don’t squeeze the lizard.

Drowning in You – Here Is Hope Review

By Mark Z. on October 19, 2018 in 2018, Boersma Records, German Metal, Hardcore, Metalcore, Reviews, Hardcore, Metalcore, 82 comments

“Metalcore is like that friend from high school who keeps coming back. Just when you think you’ve left it behind for good, here comes another Facebook notification or Instagram post to remind you that, yes, this thing was once a part of your life.” Look at this photograph.