Head for the basement or the doorjambs as Massachusetts’s metal-core merchants Unearth unleash The Oncoming Storm. The band’s fourth release, first for Metal Blade, is a thunderous, dark, and well-rounded effort. Adam Dutkiewicz’s (Killswitch Engage) bottom-heavy production shines on cuts like the rapid fire, militaristic “Bloodlust of the Human Condition” and “Predetermined Sky,” which features a bumpin’ and playfully heavy performance out of drummer Mike Justain.
Many songs are decidedly political (“This Lying World,” “Black Hearts Now Reign,” and “False Idols”). “The Great Dividers” with its closing, beefed up chant of “take over the world/divide our home/does hate mean freedom,” will hopefully fall on some young, impressionable ears. The blazing lead work of guitarist Ken Susi and Buzz McGrath head the blistering thrash attack on “Failure” and “Zombie Autopilot.” A touch of emo is added with Susi’s backing vocals on “Life to Purify” and “Endless.” The haunting piano and buried screams on “Aries” by bassist John Maggard and vocalist Trevor Phipps are effectively powerful. Unearth should prove to be one of the many highlights at this year’s Ozzfest.
Unearth will be in town on Saturday, July 24th as part of Ozzfest at the Coors Amphitheater (Fiddlers Green) in Englewood. Set times for Ozzfest will be posted four days before the show at www.ozzfest.com with the first 2nd stage band starting at 9:30 a.m. For more info, visit www.hob.com and www.ozzfest.com.
www.unearth.tv
www.metalblade.com
