Unearth – The Oncoming Storm (Metal Blade)
Metalcore. Thrash and NWOSDM riffs, pretty predictable drumming, hardcore breakdowns at regular, 45 second intervals, and mostly growled/shouted vocals with a very, very small spattering of clean (NOT emo) vocals. Nothing too exciting, brutal, or new, but that’s only because the metalcore scene nowadays is even more crowded than the glam scene of the ‘80s. Nonetheless, this is entirely very enjoyable, and not in a guilty way, either. Just well-done.

Tracks:
1) Political lyrics, and ends with the breakdown to define all breakdowns.
2) More metal, way more metal, almost straight-up old-school death, but then that all-too-happy melody creeps in and the breakdowns. Oh, the breakdowns! Actually, quite an awesome song.
3) Way more hardcore now, with way too typical guitar playing, but the NWOSDM influence is still there, complete with galloping rhythm and harmonized chorus.
4) Kick-ass triplet riff in intro backed up by some surprising drumming, and then processed vocals in chorus and an inventive breakdown.
5) Ugh, the song sounds way too happy considering its “what has become of our lives?” theme.
6) Nice, the aggression is upped several notches, the breakdown starts the song, and there’s a guitar solo-like thing thrown in there. Works for me.
7) Stand-out main riff and drumming (way original with those fills). The chorus once again just sounds way too happy, damnit, but the breakdown makes up for it.
8) Another riff that channels that old-school death metal sound, but the breakdown is pure classic Massachusetts stuff. I can see the guys in Hatebreed talking among themselves: “Dude, we should totally sue!” A shame, ‘cos the end of the song picks up and kicks ass.
9) Starts acoustic, with a piano and whispered/subdued vocals. Cool!
10) Mid-tempo, which for these guys seems to be a challenge as they seem to do everything they can to break out of it, which makes the whole song sound awesome.
11) Too generic and just kinda.... there. Filler, anyone?