Unearth - III: In The Eyes Of Fire Review
Posted by Brandon Ratliff on 08.09.2006
Can Unearth deliver under the hype?
Unearth - III: In The Eyes Of Fire
Release Date: August 8, 2006
Label: Metal Blade Records
Produced By: Terry Date
First Single: Giles
Recommended Downloads: Giles, Imposters Kingdom, Bled Dry
Unearth is:
Vocals: Trevor Phipps
Guitar: Ken Susi
Guitar: Buz McGrath
Bass: John Maggard
Drums: Mike Justian
Tracklisting
1. This Glorious Nightmare
2. Giles
3. March Of The Mutes
4. Sanctity In Brothers
5. The Devil Has Risen
6. This Time Was Mine
7. Unstoppable
8. So It Goes
9. Imposters Kingdom
10. Bled Dry
11. Big Bear And The Hour Of Chaos
Total Runtime: 44:35
I think of any newer metal band out there, not even the likes of Shadows Fall or Lamb Of God have managed to accrue the press and anticipation that the Unearth has managed over the writing and recording cycle of III: In The Eyes Of Fire. No matter where you looked, if the word metal was there, the name Unearth was never far behind. Maybe this is partly due to the fact that the band worked with legendary producer Terry Date (Soundgarden, White Zombie, Pantera, Deftones, Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam)? Maybe it is because their last album, The Oncoming Storm was a huge critical and commercial (relatively speaking of course) success, and also managed to score a blow to the mainstream? Metal was back. Unearth was there fighting the battle alongside contemporaries Lamb Of God, Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, Shadows Fall, and God Forbid. This is all speculation of course. No matter how you look at it though, this album will make waves in the metal community, whether it flat out sucks or turns out to be the best release - period - of the year. And don't lie...you bought into the hype just as much as everyone else did. So were they worth all the anticipation, or does the album fall flat on its proverbial face?
For as long as this album has been talked about, is it worth the hype? You'd better bet your ass it is. Every song on the album shows a new intensity that is not only unmatched by The Oncoming Storm, but basically any contemporary metal band today. The songwriting is sharp and intricate without sounding forced or overproduced, and every single musician is so stupidly on top of his respective game, you'd think this were a jam session with some of the best players known to man. Much like The Great Dividers from the last album, This Glorious Nightmare kicks things off with a dark and heavy tone leading right into first single Giles. Guitarists Ken Susi and Buz McGrath really take the time to show their chops all through the album, with the best example being the dueling guitar solo from my personal favorite song Imposters Kingdom. A lot of the songs show a lot of classic metal influence combined with with so many strong current metal elements, the word "metalcore" almost bars mention. Terry Date did an excellent job bringing out the best in the band, and even more than even they could have thought they had. And you know that whole "oh, it all sounds the same" thing? Listen to Bled Dry and tell me if you still feel that way.
For the first time in a LONG time, try as I might, I haven't been able to find a single thing wrong with this record. None of the songs sound like the last, as every track brings something fresh. Sure, this is still an Unearth record, and that is apparent, but the band manage to retain their core sound while expanding outward into other musical realms as well. How many actual heavy songs will you hear a piano that plays along and fits perfectly with the music? Well, not many, I can say that much.
Simply put, this is without a doubt at least one of, though probably the best metal release this year. The band somehow managed to capture the essence of their prior albums while growing and expanding in ways no one probably ever thought possible. This is one of the few albums I think that has not only been worth the extreme amount of hype put into it, but also manages to surpass it. III: In The Eyes Of Fire is the perfect metal release in every way possible, and there is no other way around it. If you like metal, you will buy this album, and you will love it. I guarantee it.
The 411: Definitely my top release of this year, the album will very likely be at the top of a lot of year end lists. Unearth somehow managed to take their sound and expand on it to the point of perfection, despite how much pressure they were under during the recording. Did mega-producer Terry Date have a hand in this? Probably, but no matter what it was that drove these five guys to writing this record, it definitely needs to spred its influence around a bit more. Extremely recommended for any metal fan out there. Buy this album and love it. I know you will.
