Album Review: Unto Others - Never, Neverland
A Band for All Tastes
Unto Others is an exceptional band that appeals to a wide variety of music fans. While they have a strong metal foundation, with distorted guitars, high-speed riffs, and a touch of attitude, they also cater to those who enjoy gothic and pop elements. As a fan of bands like Sisters of Mercy, Tribulation, Love and Rockets, and Type O Negative, I've been following this group since their early days when they were known as Idle Hands. Their previous albums, Mana and Strength, were intriguing, but their latest release, Never, Neverland, is their best work yet.
Collaborative Evolution
For this record, the band took a more collaborative approach, with lead vocalist and guitarist Gabriel Franco relinquishing some of the creative control. Additionally, bassist Brandon Hill provides backup vocals for the first time. Franco describes this newest album as "the best thing we've ever done," and it's easy to see why. The album showcases a remarkable evolution in a short period.
Diverse and Dynamic Tracks
The album features a diverse range of tracks. "Momma Likes the Door Closed" is a hard-hitting rocker with massive riffs, powerful percussion, and a West Hollywood-style snarl, reminiscent of Misfits and Danzig. The band also demonstrates their ability to slow things down and strip it back, as heard in the ballad-like "Angel of the Night" and the slightly pop-inspired "Suicide Today," as well as the more upbeat "Sunshine," which invites the listener to sing along.
"Butterfly" is a standout track, not only as an 80s goth homage but also as an original, well-crafted piece that showcases the band's musical prowess and brevity. The album also features other impressive tracks, such as the bouncy "When the Kids Get Caught," the thrash-infused "Flatline," and the laid-back, darkly beautiful "Cold World." The guitar solo in "Raigeki" is particularly memorable and novel.
A No-Filler Masterpiece
With an impressive 16 tracks, Never, Neverland is devoid of any filler, as each song is remarkably impressive. Unto Others has consistently generated buzz since their early days, and this album proves that the hype is well-deserved. Hailing from Portland, the band is delivering some of the best music to come out of the city since Agalloch.
Conclusion
Whether you're looking for a heavy, intense listening experience or a more mellow, contemplative one, Never, Neverland has something to offer. It's the perfect album for the Halloween season and one of the greatest releases of 2024.
No comments:
Post a Comment
What's your side of the story ?