Unearth have always been the odd ones out in the metalcore world. Technically proficient with their musicianship, as aggressive as hardcore but not quite hardcore, they sit somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. However, compared to many other bands who try to sound like them, they still stand out amongst the crowd, to the point that Lamb of God’s Mark Morton makes an appearance on this record with a bass solo (Still haven’t managed to find it yet!). With album six, “Watchers of Rule” on the way, let’s see if this keeps them set apart from the rest of a very similar sounding scene.
Opening the album is “Intro” – a short, guitar heavy instrumental which employs some dramatic sounding harmonies just to set the mood. Just when you think it’s about to settle itself down it suddenly cuts straight into “The Swarm” which is signalled with a ferocious drum based onslaught with frantic paced guitar work. Vocally, it’s just like all the other unearth albums – aggressive and shouty and musically it’s as precise as ever. The twin guitars work in perfect unison with alternating high and low riffs, flowing sweeps and lightning quick lead fills whilst the rhythm section keeps everything anchored. “Lifetime in Ruins” follows up with a gradually increasing in volume intro. As the sound gets louder, the machine gun like precision rhythm kicks in with a steady breakdown styled riff before it comes alive. A brief spoken section under some dark sounding harmony guitar parts shifts quickly into a heavy, low ended groove. As usual, the lead guitar fills are present after the twisting groove filled riffs and they’re timed just right to not distract from the sound too much. Vocally it’s just like the last track, raw and hard hitting and with the heavier groove underneath it, it comes off really well. The breakdown is like any other metalcore styled breakdown, but the twisting solo which dances over it isn’t. Full of well placed sweeps and runs, it comes off brilliantly and can be used as an example for metalcore bands who are looking to actually make something happen with their playing!
“Guards of Contagion” starts off with another drum heavy and guitar intro before settling into a fast paced riff fest which sounds rather Scandinavian in its delivery but full of the attitude of American Metalcore. The chorus has some brilliant leadwork in and there’s a big moment section too where the lead melody adds a little to the rhythm, giving it a slower pace in just the right moments whilst the drums just keep going with their relentless assault. “From the Tombs of Five Below” starts off with a flashy bit of guitar work before descending into a more traditional metalcore styled sound, making use of the whole breakdown feel. There’s a big sounding breakdown section round the 2:12 which really ramps up the intensity of the already in your face song which then rips into a frantic slayer sounding solo section to begin with before breaking into the usual Unearth styled lead harmonies before kicking back to the breakdown styled feel once again. “Never Cease” is another heavy groove feel track. Making full use of the 7 string guitars, the low register driven groove really stands out underneath the rapid fire fills and licks which fill this track if you listen closely to it. Switching between groove and breakdown feel, the song keeps its pace throughout and the intensity doesn’t drop once, something a lot of metalcore bands struggle to deal with. Round 2:10 the lead guitar starts playing a melody which changes the feel of the song, shifting it more to the breakdown end of the spectrum which then leads to a more melodic part before the intense breakdown feel returns to bring it home.
“Trail to Fire” starts off with more relentless rhythm work and when the band comes in, it shifts to a more stop-start feel. The steady stomp rhythm is great to headbang along to, and in the chorus parts, the lead adds a touch of feel to it, brightening up the song a little but overall it’s just like one huge breakdown. “To The Ground” has a very Lamb of God feel to it. Its fast paced assault combined with switching between the shouted vocal style and slightly less shouted makes this one quite lively compared to some of the other tracks and I can imagine it to go down brilliantly live. Its missing a lot of the stand out lead work which Unearth are well known for but it still works well. “Burial Lines” follows up with a more traditional Unearth styled start. Sounding a lot more like their earlier material with the fast paced riffs, melodic leads and up-tempo feel, it’s a great track and a shame it appears so late into the album.
“Birth of a Legion” keeps up the older style sound from the previous track with more fast paced riffs, pounding rhythm and sublime leads. The standout moment though of the track, and quite possibly the album though is the solo which comes in at 1:27. Technically sound, well thought out and full of tricky leads, attitude and speed, it rips through the song and just makes you sit there and go ‘wow!’ Closing the album is the title track “Watchers of Rule”. It starts off with a declaration styled address delivered with bite to it in the midst of the intro before a ferocious onslaught kicks in. The groove heavy breakdown feel of the song works well and it just gets more intense as the song goes on. Another shred-like solo appears in this track to give it more kick and it ends with one last breakdown.
“Watchers of Rule” is a great album. For me, it isn’t as good as “The Oncoming Storm” (2004) but it’s still proof that when it comes to metalcore, Unearth are miles ahead of the genre. Mixing the sounds of metalcore, hardcore and technical proficiency on their instruments, Unearth have a unique sound in a genre filled with mediocrity.
(7/10 Fraggle)
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