Unearth - The March (2008)Release ID: 4174
Unearth returned with their 4th album The March, and it has a slightly better idea of what the band should have than In the Eyes of Fire. While their previous album was great and not terrible at all, most songs weren't different or thought-out well, but there were still a few solid songs showing how much the band loves technicality and speed. Some inconsistencies just lose the band's attempt in what they're trying to accomplish.
The band really learned their lesson here! The March is a greater step into powerful speed, fitting breakdowns, and important melodies. Unlike their previous album that focuses on technicality way more than melody, The March keeps the technical aspect simple and allows the melody to flow like a river.
"My Will Be Done" really shows the melody right way. The whammy bar used in the solo must be inspired by Dimebag Darrell, and I think the band toured with Damageplan when that band was still active and Dimebag was still alive. Great tribute! RIP Dimebag. "Hail The Shrine" once again has the band doing an homage to another band, Testament. "Crow Killer" once again has 3-string arpeggios in the 20-second intro, this sounding a bit like some solos from Bleeding Through and Atreyu, two metalcore bands the band has "done a butt-load of touring with".
More influences can be found in "Grave of Opportunity", reminiscent of Trivium in their first 4 albums, especially in the dual harmonies. "We Are Not Anonymous" has a moderately high tempo in the drums over driving bass. That along with the power metal solos, melodic harmonies, and gang choir vocals (performed by Norma Jean members at the time in this song and the previous one), makes the song sound like DragonForce gone metalcore! The title track is enjoyable while being a little predictable.
"Cutman" sounds a bit similar to a few songs earlier in the album while still having epic guitars over average drums and vocals. "The Chosen" shows some tasty leads, and was chosen as part of the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters soundtrack, recorded a year before the rest of the album. The ballad-ish "Letting Go" can be considered the negative of the album, though it adds some deep restraint to the album. "Truth or Consequences" has a good intro but it trails off until the nice melodic chorus. The special edition bonus track "Our Callous Skin" is OK, but its hidden track is more interesting. "Silence Caught The Stubborn Tongue" begins with 2 minutes of rising white noise before blasting into the sturdy song itself. I personally think there should've been a piano intro or something during that white noise, just super sayin'.
All in all, The March is slightly more solid and stellar than In the Eyes of Fire, while certainly not overthrowing the Oncoming Storm. It makes up for a lot of what's missing in their third album, though having a few songwriting flaws. I would recommend this for any Unearth fan wanting more of their previous two albums. Unearth shall march on!
Favorites: "My Will Be Done", "Crow Killer", "Grave of Opportunity", "We Are Not Anonymous", "The Chosen"
