Customer Reviews

The March

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just as the subject of this review, this is a glorious return to form for the Boston metallers UNEARTH. ADAM D is back behind the scenes producing for this band. If anyone fully understand Unearth's sound it is Adam D. His production on the ONCOMING STORM helped propel the band into the metal mainstream helping them become the most success full and arguably the best metalcore band of all time!

I won't do a song to song breakdown (no pun intended), but I will reveal what elements of their sound made this album great. The infamous 7-Stingers Buz McGrath and Ken Susi deliver their best outing with blazing solos and sweeps to make any guitar guru's face melt off. I know Adam had a lot to do with pushing Ken + BUZ to their full potential.

Next, the Vocals. Trevor Phipps is at his best here! The lyrics are as always, in my opinion, some of the most thought out ideas in the metal scene today. The production of the vocals on this record are the best to date for an Unearth album. Once again Adam D at his finest, knowing Unearth's sound and the importance Trevor's voice contributes to it. I did not like how the vocals sounded in III: IN the Eyes of Fire, so I am glad it was done right here. His voice sounds more commanding and powerful then ever before. His voice is always one of the best parts of Unearth's live shows. His deliverance and enthusiasm always ensues chaos out on the dance floor!

Slo's provides his best bass lines to date on this release. If you watched the band's recent DVD, you will know Slo is a very smart man. He is a poker genius and has an IQ through the roof! It is unfortunate that he does not get the credit he deserves for his work, of course having to take a backseat to the fury of Ken & Buz's guitar work! Let me say, well done SLO!

Over the last year Unearth lost a great drummer, arguably one of the best in today's metal scene. Mike Justian was a gigantic reason for Unearth's might! That being said, they could not have found a better replacement. Seemless's Derek Kerswill, delivers one hell of a performance on this effort, filling gigantic shoes behind the kit for the band. Derek is a much better member for this band; he is a long time friend of the band, unlike Mike who was brought in from the Red Chord after their previous drummer quit to quickly learn the songs for THE ONCOMING STORM. He adds a dynamic to this band's chemistry that can only help to play out to Unearth's advantage in future offerings to come.

In closing: This record is amazing ladies and gentlemen! Do not read this review and go download it! Scroll up now and add this to your cart. 10 dollars is nothing for this amazing piece of work! Support this band and go see them live. Unearth is simply the greatest live act in today's metal scene. Buying this record is only 1/2 the full Unearth experience. Go to their myspace and find out when they are coming to your town. Thank you, *horns*!

Before I discuss The March, lets discuss In The Eyes of Fire first. In the Eyes of Fire was a boring cd that sacrificed everything that made them good in order to become more heavy. What ended up as the result was a long boring album that was slow in too many places, ditched melody for heaviness, and had way too many breakdowns. Many feared that The March would end up just like In The Eyes of Fire, and well, today is judgement day for Unearth.

Did Unearth redeem themselves with The March? Will The March bring all of their old fans back from the days of The Oncoming Storm?

....

As you probably guessed, YES!!! YES!!! As soon as you hit play, you will be greeted by a scorching guitar solo that will instantly destroy any doubts or things you held against this band after listening to III. Trevor has returned to his old style of vocals from their second album The Oncoming Storm, which is a good thing in my opinion because there is far more conviction in his delivery on this record. Their new drummer Derek Kerswill is decent but their return to their former sound makes up for any of the flaws in Derek's playing.

1. MY WILL BE DONE sets the mood for the entire album because it not only displays their amazingly catchy harmonies (think the riff in the intro to Zombie Autopilot), but it marks the returns of Unearth's wicked guitar solos and their original sound which is something all of us Unearth fans have been waiting years for.
2. HAIL THE SHRINE is another great song with a brutal guitar riff during the verses, a really catchy chorus, and ends in a killer breakdown. The lyrics are really good as well, during the chorus, Trevor declares "Believe my every word/Believe and I will protect you/So criticize/Bow down you might meet your maker." This is easily one of the best songs off of this album simply because the lyrics work so well with the guitars.
3. CROW KILLER is another song that features an incredibly catchy and technical riff that lasts through the entire song. The only problem with the main riff is that it makes the solo look lackluster because it is so complex.
4. GRAVE OF OPPORTUNITY begins with a slow melodic introduction, then immediately kicks off to a really fast riff. The bridge consists of clean guitar backed up by a distorted guitar, and leads into a short solo which goes right back into the incredible main riff. An amazing song which will be even better live in the pits.
5. WE ARE NOT ANONYMOUS leads off with an insanely complex lead on the guitars before leading into a Gothenburg-esque melody which starts and stops throughout the song. The song constantly becomes more complex as it moves on, giving it a fresh feel and never lets the riff get old or boring. The solo after the breakdown is really good and leads back into the complex lead established in the beginning of the song. Yet another great song, I would not be surprised if this was put into Rock Band or something---it is that catchy and technical.
6. THE MARCH has a dark feel to it set by the the bass and the guitars and slow-paced drumming. While it does not come off as a good song on the first listen, it will grow on you as you listen to the album a couple more times. Good song.
7. CUTMAN is easily the best song on this entire album. It opens with a STUNNING lead, which builds up into a very fast and heavy riff backed up by Derek on the kit. This will most definitely be a crowd pleaser at future Unearth shows, the main riff SCREAMS circle pits to me. Trevor's voice just plain sells this song to you the second it begins. This is easily up there as one of their best songs to date, although it does not match This Lying World or Black Hearts Now Reign.
8. THE CHOSEN stands out as one of the most unique songs Unearth has written to date. It's heavy, but it sounds more anthemic than their other songs on this album let alone their entire catalog of music. The song is perfect to listen to before a game to get fired up.
9. LETTING GO is a display of both Unearth's melodic side and their heavy side. While it is a huge change in pace from the other songs on this cd because it is the slowest song on the album, it is much reminiscent of The Oncoming Storm in the sense that it fits perfectly in between THE CHOSEN and TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCE on the album just how ARIES did between ENDLESS and PREDETERMINED SKY.
10. TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCE closes the album on a dark note. It begins with a soaring melody in the beginning, and goes into a riff that sounds ominous. The melody of the song fades out and ends the record.

BEST SONGS: Cutman, Hail the Shrine, We Are Not Anonymous, My Will Be Done, The Chosen, Grave of Opportunity, The March


Unearth has redeemed itself in my book with The March, I think it even surpasses The Oncoming Storm because it is produced and written so well. The skill of all of the musicians in this band is simply undeniable. Their catchy melodies, scorching guitar riffs, and aggressiveness keep the music fresh and interesting. While some listeners may think that Trevor's voice is bad(I personally don't), the band just simply wouldn't sound good without him. He shows an exceptional amount of passion and delivery in his voice, which I haven't seen in many other bands.

The March may alienate people who got turned onto Unearth by In The Eyes of Fire simply because it sounds less heavy guitar-wise and utilizes more melodies than any of the songs on III did. It may also come off as just another Unearth album at first, but I can guarantee you it will grow on you after a couple of listens if you let it.

This is easily the best metal album of 2008 (yes this may be subjective to some, but I loved this far more than the new albums by All Shall Perish and The Haunted), and I highly recommend buying this. I also recommend seeing this band live because the music sounds far better and they put on an incredibly good show.

EDIT: Didn't realize the bonus track was on most American copies of this album as well. The copy I have somehow does not have the hidden track on it. My bad. It's still really good though, highly recommend it.

Uneath keeps getting better with time and they discover what a great band they really are with each new release! This album is great and the band puts a little more Metalcore into it then they're pervious release! solid recommendation!

First off let me say that In The Eyes Of Fire is to date, Unearth's finest hour. That album kicked you in the teeth from start to finish and every song had an amazing hook at some point in it. It was a little more metal than The Oncoming Storm and the guitars cut through me like a buzzsaw. I don't really like reviewing albums until I have fully digested them and although The March hasn't left my CD player since last Tuesday, I still don't think I have let the songs grow on me enough. This album is definitely more hardcore. The riffs and breakdowns all have that east coast hardcore feel. So far the songs that have really jumped out at me are Grave of Opportunity and both parts of the untitled track. Maybe I will come back and write another review after letting the album sink in but for right now I will say that it rocks but isn't quite as good as In The Eyes Of Fire, but I don't know if Unearth will ever be able to top that masterpiece.

This album surprised the heck out of me. As soon as My Will Be Done shows its true nature, about 25 seconds into the song, the sheer gravity of this work of art will crush you with its pure heavy metal, and if you weren't a fan, to quote Yoda, "You will be." And I was. But it doesn't stop there. Hail The Shrine, and Crow Killer keep the brutal mix of thrash and hardcore, with just a touch of death and melodic metal, going at full speed. I haven't heard much of Unearth's other music, but if it is anywhere near as good as this album, they are one of my new favorite bands.

"Metalcore" has always been something I have had a hard time getting used to, being a diehard fan of thrash, power, and melodic death. But over the past few years bands such as Unearth, along with ATR, Chimaira, and Shadows Fall have done a good job repairing the genre after acts like Bullet 4 my Valentine, A7X, and Atreyu almost killed heavy metal, again. "Metalcore" has slowly been changing into modern American metal, and with powerhouse releases like The March, American metal is becoming a much better music form than it was a decade ago.

The title track is pure aggression, with beefy riffage, and killer hardcore screams. Truth or Consequence grabs you with awesome melodic guitars, and while it may be their most radio friendly song, it is still way to heavy for the mainstream hard rock stations. Definitely one of the best albums of 2008. How has New England turned out so many great new metal bands that have helped shape the metal scene in this century?

Chock full of creative riffing and infused with power, The March commands your attention from the very start. I have two other Unearth albums in addition to this one and like them all, but if I had to choose a favorite I would say, for me, there is a tie between The March and The Oncoming Storm. Both are worthy titles if you are into Metalcore.

Next, the album art gives the impression of one fighting to break free. It fits well with the music as you will see if you are following along with the included lyrics while you listen.

Lastly, if you loved The Oncoming Storm but didn't like III- In The Eyes Of Fire, I would say give The March a chance. They do a really good job on this album, from front to back. You won't want to skip any songs, which is a really good quality for an album to have. It is clear that Unearth have a firm grasp of what it takes to rule the genre. If you like Trevor Phipps' style of singing, and you like your music heavy, you must own The March.

After working with producer Terry Date to create the industrial-strength thrash of their last effort "III: In The Eyes Of Fire," Unearth returns to their comfort zone on "The March," by putting Adam Dutkiewicz back in the producer's chair. Dutkiewicz helmed Unearth's 2004 CD, "The Oncoming Storm," and just like that effort and other Adam D recordings, "The March" is tight, polished (perhaps a bit too polished at times), and heavy as a ten-ton brick.

Much as they did on "Storm," Unearth combines surging, melodic riffs with crushing breakdowns and the righteous rage of Trevor Phipps' lyrics and vocals; Phipps gives his best performance yet on this effort. At the same time the band maintains the raw, desperate energy and unrelenting intensity that marked "III," and adds new dimensions. Guitarists Buzz McGrath and Ken Susi are clearly in touch with their inner guitar heroes; solos abound on "The March." New drummer Derek Kerswill's steady and powerful playing contrasts with the manic style of his predecessor, Mike Justian. He's a welcome and well-suited addition to the band. Anthemic songs like "My Will Be Done," "We Are Not Anonymous" and "The Chosen" practically cry out for mosh pits and shout-alongs; they should be highlights of the band's live set. Unearth even gets downright experimental--for them anyhow--with the slower, seething groove of "Letting Go" (bassist John Maggard stands out here, as well as on the title song) and the album's epic final track...which isn't "Truth Or Consequence" by the way.

We live in dark and frightening times. People are angry, and seek angry music as a cathartic antidote to the chaos. Metal thrives in such circumstances, so it's really no surprise that Metallica's new album shot to number one in its first week of release, and Slipknot topped the charts just a few weeks before. Many of metal's newer bands such as Unearth, Underoath, Trivium and All That Remains are releasing new material, and the time is ripe for this new generation to move metal to the forefront again. On "The March," Unearth hits their stride and makes the case for taking it to the next level.

I remember watching Unearth play in New Haven, CT last October. Before going onstage, Buz warmed up to Yngwie Malmsteen's "Far Beyond the Sun". I wouldn't ever expect an Unearth CD to be an over-the-top shred fest, but one has to wonder why he was holding back on CD's when he can shred like this. Prior to the release of "The March", solos were scarce. The only ones I can recall were the solos on "Zombie Autopilot" and "So It Goes". (Off of "The Oncoming Storm", and "III:In the Eyes of Fire", respectively) Those two are great solos. The good news is that there are a substantial amount of solos on "The March".

As far as the sound goes, the other reviewers are correct; Unearth sounds like Unearth at this point. What they have done, however, is tweak their sound. As I mentioned before, this album is more lead guitar oriented than their previous three. The solos on "The Chosen", "We Are Not Anonymous", and "My Will Be Done" are nothing short of amazing. The standout song would have to be "The Chosen", due to its anthemic nature. It is different from anything Unearth have done before. "The March" sounds fresh, but it is still definitely Unearth. It is highly melodic, there are still some breakdowns, and Trevor Phipps still has that throaty yell.

Ultimately, this sounds like Unearth with a few twists here and there. It makes it interesting enough to warrant repeat listens. Unearth are one of my favorite metalcore bands. They are metalcore done right. Check this CD out.

Unearth is again, on point! Though to me this seems as a step backwards from the progression that III: In the Eyes of Fire had made from the Oncoming Storm, they still slay!!! I don't know what the gripe was about III:ITEOF, because I feel like I'm the only person on earth who actually really digs that record, and if anybody gave The Stings of Conscience a chance they'll hear that Unearth weren't all that melodic from the get go, though again, a very solid debut. If you really loved the melodicism of TOS then you'll especially love The March.

I the phrase I usually use to describe Unearth is "The only metalcore band to give a **** about." I for the most part avoid metalcore because it falls into one of two categories, stuff that is too simplistic and I find boring (Hatebreed), or those groups who have melodic singing in the chorus that sounds completely out of place (Killswitch Engage, All That Remains). Thankfully Unearth avoids both those problems.

There is a more melodic/thrash influence with this release, the comparison off the top with be tracks like "Zombie Autopilot" off The Oncoming Storm, being the main type of sound. However nothing of what makes me love Unearth is gone. The guitars are insanely talented and will get stuck in my head so much swear they must be tattooed in my skull. Another big strength is the lyrics which are about the evils and hopes of society, nice to have something with some hope, rather than the majority of metal bands with more nihilistic world views.

I've read so many reviews of this band that seem to love to crap on Trevor Phipps vocals. I personally really enjoy his vocal work, because it has a "punk" like sound to it, which works for the metalcore scene, and doesn't sound out of place with their thrash sound. It's a nice change of pace from all the cookie monster vocals, and guys who try to sound tough, but sound like they have to take a crap.

The March is bar none Unearth's most accessible album. Note that I say "accessible" not "commercialistic." This is pretty much an album chock full of addictive songs, with lyrics that beg to be shouted along with. It was most definitely made for touring; I saw Unearth open for Testament a few months back, and the songs off The March (anthems like "We Are Not Anonymous" and "The Chosen) definitely got people shouting with the band.

My only minor nitpick is that the unlisted 11th track, "Silence Caught the Stubborn Tongue" stops and then there's white noise, till the other track "Our Callous Skin" starts. Why these couldn't be two separate tracks, instead of me having to fast forward. I don't know. A minor annoyance on a great album.

The March is the Unearth album to pass to your friend who's never heard of Unearth. Everything about it is addictive, the lyrics the vocals, and the guitars are fantastic, giving further proof to my theory that Unearth is the only metalcore band worth giving a **** about.