I have to admit that I hadn't heard of Unearth before receiving this album, although they had already released 3 albums before the Oncoming Storm. Sonically Unearth is hard metalcore at its best... Their style is a mixture of melodic metal and hardcore with some progressive edge. Especially the progressive edge makes this record good — there are lots of different time signatures that diversify the record and also make it more catchy.

Songs are somewhat diverse and the album improves with further listens. There are some awesome parts that just make you bang your head. For example, the ending of 'Endless' and the middle part of 'Pretermined Sky' belong to this case. Overall, all of the songs were more or less good (although, there were some songs I wasn't so fond of). Of all hardcore bands I've ever listened, Trevor Phipps has the best voice... I wonder why he didn't sing more cleanly, it would have given more contrast to this record thus increasing the rating.

The sounds are very powerful and thus they are fitting. According to Metal Blade this album was recorded at "Zing Studios in Westfield, MA with producer Adam D. of Killswitch Engage fame". Adam's proficiency behind the soundboard can be heard as the production has been done well.

Unearth is one of the best hardcore bands I've ever heard... I recommend it to fans of the genre, although Unearth's approach is quite unique (more melodic approach to hardcore). As an additional bonus, there's a video of 'Black Hearts Now Reign'. The limited first edition includes also a DVD "Live in Long Island".

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- MAGE (02.09.2004)

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LINE-UP:
Phipps, Trevor: Vocals McGrath, Buz: Guitar Susi, Ken: Guitar, Backing Vocals on "Endless" and "Lie to Purify" Maggard, John "Slo": Bass, also Piano and guitar tracks on "Aries" Justian, Mike: Drums
Producer:	Dutkiewicz, Adam
Mixing by:	Dutkiewicz, Adam
Mastering by:	Douches, Alan

	TRACKLIST:
	01. The Great Dividers 02. Failure 03. This Lying World 04. Black Hearts Now Reign 05. Zombie Autopilot 06. Bloodlust of the Human Condition 07. Lie to Purify 08. Endless 09. Aries 10. Pretermined Sky 11. False Idols 12. BONUS VIDEO: "Black Hearts Now Reign"