With 2001's underground smash of a debut album, The Stings of Conscience, metalcore mavens Unearth proved that they had become experts at contrasting down-to-earth hardcore values (informed lyrics, economical song structures) with rather more high-flying heavy metal elements (single-string speedy riffs, squeaky harmonics, double kick drums), a formula they wisely revisited for the following year's Endless EP. Not only that, instant career highlights such as the title track and "Infernal War" would have been worthy linchpins of a full album, and confirmed the band's fearless embracing of their metallic influences as they headed into a new record deal with Metal Blade. To that end, "The Charm," in particular, delves almost exclusively in methods learned from the Swedish school of melodic death metal (and probably instigated by producer Adam Dutkiewicz, of Killswitch Engage fame), yet Trevor Phipps still keeps things honest with a few syncopated shouts à la Agnostic Front's Roger Miret. Closing number "My Desire" piles on some added complexity, as well, guaranteeing a pretty flawless release, and a fitting farewell to the first phase of Unearth's career.
© Eduardo Rivadavia /TiVo