UNEARTH—DARKNESS IN THE LIGHT
METAL BLADE RECORDS
http://unearth.tv/
BY: STEPHANIE STEVENS
RATING: 8.5/10

          For some of you that may know me or have followed my writings for some time now you know I’m from the Massachusetts area but when it comes to supporting the local sports teams I tend to jump ship into other states but the one thing I can totally put support on is the metal bands that have emerged from the state I grew up in and graced the national level Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Shadowsfall and of course the band that is on the frontlines today the mighty UNEARTH. For me UNEARTH was a band that was essential in my collection but nothing I would run to, to listen to over and over but they did leave a brutal and metal feel to me every time the record was finished, that I do remember! I may have to go back and wipe the dust off the old albums because the latest DARKNESS IN THE LIGHT made me re think if I was just not opening my mind to really get and understand what the band had or was going for in the past. So yes, the new record, DARKNESS IN THE LIGHT penetrates through you with this array of melodic tones that seamlessly melts with the aggressive metal assaults and guitar work that is blistering.  The band has branched out with a more raw and compelling songwriting standpoint which I think really enhanced the music ability of the musicians and also the way the songs were put together and with the help of key producer Adam Dutkiewicz , the collaboration couldn’t be anything but brilliant.  I’m a sucker for the intertwinement of clean vocals and screams and for years we know that this band can really scream from the gut and make you feel it but once again Ken Susi (guitars) steps up to the plate to deliver his astonishing clean singing  ability and guys let me just tell you this works like 110%!! This step the band took needs to be explored more in the future. From opening track WATCH IT BURN you are already indebted to the record, it starts with an assault of killer guitars and just plunges into that aggressive tempo and then in the middle when it breaks down into the clean singing….OMG it’s magical!!!!!!! Another track that really made me enjoy the disc is the song  ARISE THE WAR CRY it has mosh pit quality combined with melody driven guitar tempo, head banging momentum and a underlay of war cry lyrics that the fans will be chanting and fist raising around the world! EQUINOX simply displays a beautiful symmetry of guitar and piano work which glides into a metal sounds cape but on a less brutal scale. This song gives the album and band diversity and shows different layers and creativity.  You want anger get a taste of DISILLUSION it barks at you it assaults you with guitars and it just beats you to the ground.  I could carry on about every song on this album but I think you get the gist of what UNEARTH has done to me, so now it’s time to support metal like you never did before go get this album, get your butts to Mayhem Festival this summer and support this redefined and pretty talented Massachusetts band; UNEARTH!!