When the dust began to settle at the turn of the millennium and the New Wave of American Heavy Metal (NWOAHM) was taking shape, Unearth stood on the front lines with sharpened machetes. While other bands of that era either softened their sound or imploded under the weight of their own egos, this Massachusetts crew stayed true to their craft: an uncompromising crossbreeding of Boston hardcore and precise Swedish melodicism. Unearth are the definition of riff discipline. Their sound is carried on the backs of duo Buz McGrath and Ken Susi, who brought seven-string brutality and solos to the genre that even Iron Maiden in their prime wouldn't be ashamed of.
Remember albums like The Oncoming Storm or III: In the Eyes of Fire? These aren't just nostalgic memories; they are the foundation stones of modern extreme music. Tracks like "Zombie Autopilot" or "Giles" still function like a hydraulic press on human skulls two decades later. The band's current form, solidified by their latest full-length The Wretched; The Ruinous, proves that Unearth don't need to experiment with electronics or pop choruses to stay relevant. All they need is a solid breakdown, a frantic "tupa-tupa" rhythm, and Trevor Phipps' vocals, which pack more grit than you could find in the whole fortress. Get ready for a moshpit that takes no prisoners.
