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Unearth

III: In the Eyes of Fire (2006)
Metal Blade Records

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Contributed by: Aubin
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on August 11th 2006

If you have ever been to an art gallery, you may have noticed a few things: the rooms are carefully climate controlled, the music is soft and unobtrusive, the lighting is not quite dark, but carefully tuned to provide patches of gentle lighting between paintings. The room is filled with very annoyed people in red jackets who spent eight years in college and delivered a one hundred-and-thirty page thesis in order to “shush” people if they ask what time it is. There is, despite appearances, a reason for all this. See, art is supposed to be appreciated in a particular context that allows you to grasp the full meaning of a particular work.

The reason I mention this is because Unearth's III: In the Eyes of Fire also has a specific context in which it can be fully appreciated, and that context is blasting out of a car stereo at 2 P.M. while driving in a way that inspires journalists to produce “interest” pieces with titles like Highway Homicide and Why Those Stupid Punk Kids Should Be Locked Up.

A natural progression from 2004's The Oncoming Storm, III is not so much a change in the band's sound, as an opportunity to further streamline their approach. In particular, we find guitarists Buz McGrath and Ken Susi embracing more thrash and European metal with full aplomb. There are breakdowns of course, but they aren't the kind of audience-manipulating “mosh” moments, so much as just well needed respites to keep you from cracking your neck. Like the band's previous full-length, there are plenty of nodded acknowledgements to classic metal and thrash and plenty of brutish melodies.

The album's first single “Giles” is the kind of shred-happy speed metal with melody that At the Gates would have recorded had they lasted another album. “March of the Mutes” and “So It Goes” open like classic Metallica moments, with guitars harmonizing before engaging the full band. And even though the band's performance is admirable, the real stars of this album are certainly Susi and McGrath, who deliver the kind of intertwined melodies and riffing that harken back to the best thrash metal acts.

Unearth has always been a band with one foot in hardcore and nine in metal, and III: In the Eyes of Fire is another strong album from one of the most consistent and talented acts in that hybrid genre. So grab a copy of III, steal your parent's car and scare some people.

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Electrickle (February 18, 2007)

I actually kinda like this album.

Satelliteyrs (October 2, 2006)

loove this stuff

branden (August 15, 2006)

haha sweet cover art

Anonymous (August 15, 2006)

Christ Aubin, pick up a copy of "On Writing Well" and get back to us. You've got some potential, but this piece made me want to gouge my fucking eyes out.

ramo (August 13, 2006)

It's a solid effort. If you didn't like Unearth back then, this album won't change your mind but for the rest, it's pretty much enjoyable.

Ramo

clamum (August 13, 2006)

We need another Nirvana to get rid of shitty bands like this.

Anonymous (August 12, 2006)

metalcore sucks

tenwestchaser (August 12, 2006)

Did anyone else find the artwork on this to be stellar? The concept might be a little cheesy, but it's done so tastefully. I think it looks awesome.

Scruffy (August 12, 2006)

Maybe they crapped in an envelope and sent it to Jeremy Chatelain. Oh no, wait. That was Glenn Porter.

feeeding5000 (August 12, 2006)

So does this mean I can finally write a shitty Motorhead review? Cause if it does, I'm either doing Overkill or Bomber. Someone else can have Ace of Spades.

Anonymous (August 12, 2006)

"Punknews.org was founded in 1998 by Aubin Paul. We published our first story in October of 1999. Our mandate is to provide an inclusive community-based site for the delivery and discussion of music news surrounding punk, ska, hardcore, emo, metal and indie"

DOLORBRIGAND....read that and shut the fuck up

almostpunkenough (August 12, 2006)

i actually think there should be some Lamb of God reviews on here. i may do them myslef actually.

those are some great albums there.

aubin (August 12, 2006)

can't wait for the lamb of god and mastadon reviews to start pouring in

Too late. We already posted reviews of both Mastodon full lengths: Remission, Leviathan.

Anonymous (August 11, 2006)

me love Unearth! thrash!!!

Muzzychipmunk (August 11, 2006)

Man. Their bassist used to work at this package store in my town. We used to go down and jam with him. Good stuff.

inagreendase (August 11, 2006)

But here's the thing, and I know Aubin won't admit this, but metal sucks.

Dude, Aubin likes metal. There's not going to be anything for him to admit.

Anonymous (August 11, 2006)

Whoa, I have always loved this band, but somehow though this was on my radar as a release day purchase, I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it is. This CD is seriously flawless. Heavy production? Check. Fun memorable songs with lots of changes? Check. Strong social and political lyrics? Check.

I really feel like this is this years "Undoing Ruin" (Darkest Hour).

Buy it now. By the way, Best Buy is selling the special edition version with DVD for 11.99 through Saturday or the regular for 9.99!!!

fallingupwards84 (August 11, 2006)

just got the album after reading the review...

these guys were listening to a lot of Slayer while writing this album. nonetheless, it sounds really good

Anonymous (August 11, 2006)

The bands previous album took me by suprise as they didnt come across as just another metalcore band, but rather a band that wanting to make that sound there own. With this release they have expanded on the sound of their previous album but yet again injected their own style into the mix. Good stuff.

slymer (August 11, 2006)

What type of action would you like Fat Mike to take? Washed up? Hardly. A drunk? Definitely.

Everyone drinks at the Warped tour (except Underoath). I can't believe they got kicked off for that. Unless they were obnoxiously drunk and did something stupid like take a dump in Lyman's trailer.

Anonymous (August 11, 2006)

fat mike is a washed up drunk. an old man. he puts out the same shit every year. he talks talks talks but no action action action. id kick them off the tour for drinking with him also. they should of got wasted and kicked his fat ass.

mikeinflames (August 11, 2006)

the new mastodon is pretty dang good

can't wait to see them with converge and the bronx next month

that shit is going to kick some ace

burningfeeetman (August 11, 2006)

"oh ok, so you only need one foot in a genre of "punk" to be reviewed on punknews. can't wait for the lamb of god and mastadon reviews to start pouring in"

I have been coming to this site for two or three years. This does not end?

Come on, fucking seriously. The whole reason that I come to this website probably a dozen times or more in a day is because they cover almost all of the kinds of music that I like. If you only listen to one kind of music then either open up your ears or shut the fuck up.

jimmy_the_saint (August 11, 2006)

I would say that there are those that review great and a few that are great reviewers. Aubin is definitely a great reviewer.

kirbypuckett (August 11, 2006)

Aubin...

Great reviewer or GREATEST reviewer?

- Kirby

mikeinflames (August 11, 2006)

i love this band
but this album is fairly boring

superdude (August 11, 2006)

This review was pretty good, except:

1. You should have mentioned how these guys got kicked off the Warped Tour.

2. For drinking with Fat Mike!!!

3. Wouldn't it make sense for them to have just called this album the Storm?

4. I believe they meant" "In the Eye of the Tiger"

waytansea (August 11, 2006)

very nicely written, i was afraid it was going to just be a review about the band instead of the actual album, like most reviews on here were, but i was gladly wrong! I doubt ill be picking this up since im not into anything metal but the review was written very well and with style

Anonymous (August 11, 2006)

hey william here's another thing, you suck

SlowStupidHungry (August 11, 2006)

But here's the thing, and I know Aubin won't admit this, but metal sucks.

fallingupwards84 (August 11, 2006)

this review motivated me to put in the Stings of Conscience... great album

dolorbrigand (August 11, 2006)

oh ok, so you only need one foot in a genre of "punk" to be reviewed on punknews. can't wait for the lamb of god and mastadon reviews to start pouring in

ElVaquero (August 11, 2006)

aubin just writes the best reviews, i wasn't really thinking of picking this up but i just might now

Anonymous (August 11, 2006)

nice intro. i like, i like.