Genre: Nu Metal Core
Label: Conclave Studios
Date of Release: 21 February
Links: https://www.uncuredband.com/
Line Up:
Rex Cox -Vocals
Zak Cox – Guitar
Zachary King – Drums
Betto Andrade – Bass
Tracklist
Bleed Me Dry
Mask Of Sanity
Perfect Specimen
Detonate
Prostitute
Fall In Line
Crucify
3 Minutes
Manifesto
Closer
For older fans who love their nu metal but have veered into the heavier genre of metalcore, Uncured are the band for you. Blending the styles of both genres, the New Jersey quartet is delivering their own brand of metal that clearly pulls on a variety of artists as inspiration. The fusion of melodic singing, heavy gutturals and occasional rapping feels like they have thrown the music of the last 25 years into a melting pot and “Warpath” is the outcome.
As a massive fan of all these sub-genres I was drawn into this album. Starting with debut track “Bleed Me Dry” which features melodic vocals, intricate guitar solo, death metal style breakdown and catchy chorus.
When asked about the message behind the song, singer Rex discusses “Everyday life can be monotonous, especially when there is only a narrow framework for acceptable self-expression. Despite the ‘slow death’ that comes from the ‘thousand cuts’ of daily indignity, the song pushes the listener to break away from their downward spiral.”
Throughout the album the band combine soaring chorus melodies, visceral screams, deathcore gutturals, and lightning-fast lyrics with pounding guitar riffs and thundering breakdowns and impeccable guitar solos. It’s the variety not only between songs but also within tracks that grabs your attention. For example there is a section contained in “Perfect Specimen” that reminds me of “Invincible” by Skillet before the album moves into fourth track “Detonate” with the opening sounding reminiscent of a Tommy Vext based Bad Wolves track before moving into a Slipknot-esque section.
The rapping and ethereal backing vocals of “Prostitute” adds yet another dimension to the band’s stylistic variety and this combines seamlessly with the guitar solos and gutturals. My only criticism is that the song ends too soon for my liking, hopefully a longer live version will happen in future.
Penultimate track “Crucify” has a heavy hip-hop influence at its core supplemented by heavy vocals and lyrical guitar work and an angry section reminiscent of “The Sickness” by Disturbed.
The album finishes with a cover of Nine Inch Nails track “Closer.” This re-imagining of the popular Industrial Trent Reznor track is more intense than the original and is a strong way to close up this eclectic album.
It is rare these days to hear music that feels so eclectic in nature that is able to be effectively fused incorporating so many styles and influences together in such a homogeneous way. I can honestly say that Uncured have pulled this off.
For our friends in the US, Uncured can next be seen playing on May 8th in Columbus, Ohio and from what I have heard you guys will be in for a treat.
Written by: Dave Martin
Ratings: 8/10
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