Released By : Killer Metal Records
Genre : Heavy Metal
Links : http://www.unityinmetal.com/
Lineup:
Yasko Katjazovic – Vocals, Guitar
Tim Cummings – Drums
Alonso Donoso – Vocals
Adam Amdor – Bass
Tracklist:
01. Prelude To Rebirth
02. The Curse Of The Nile
03. The Mirror Never Lies
04. Condemned
05. A New Horizon
06. Welcome To The Masquerade
07. Man Of The Sea
08. Yesterday Is Gone
09. Afterlife
10. Arise
Upon reading the promo material that accompanied this debut album from Iowa based Melodic Metal act UNITY, I took note of the fact that the lead singer Alonso Donoso, and drummer Tim Cummings were both previously in a band called DARK MIRROR. I recognized that name but couldn’t remember what they sounded like, so I went back into my archives and discovered that in 2009 I had reviewed their PORTRAIT OF EVIL release and wasn’t very favourable about it at all.
To my relief, it would seem that creating a new band all together was the best thing that could have happened for Donoso. In my review of his previous band I had stated that the vocals were absolutely horrible, and while I still feel Donoso has much to learn there has definitely been an improvement in his singing capabilities. Whether it’s enough to be able to get excited about this release is probably debatable, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction. Sound-wise, UNITY has a very melodic backbone, and draw from elements of Melodic Metal and a more straightforward Traditional Heavy Metal sound.
UNITY sound at their best when they are going hard at it, with songs like the thrashy THE CURSE OF THE NILE, the melodic MAN OF THE SEA and AFTERLIFE being the best of the bunch. Unfortunately when the band slows things down like on the ballad track A NEW HORIZON and the mid-paced CONDEMNED it all sort of falls apart a bit. It’s in these slower numbers that the not quite there yet vocals of Alonso Donoso let the material down, thus making them the weakest tracks on the album, when really the color usually gained from a couple of slower numbers is something that should add to an album rather than take from it.
Traditional Metal fans may well find something to like on REBORN, but I really do think that if the band are to have any chance of gaining a foothold in the retro metal scene, then Alonso Donoso must be open to seeing a good vocal teacher.
Written By ZeeZe
Rating : 6/10
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