Looking good! Since the release of their highly acclaimed and successful album The Oncoming Storm in 2004 the gents from UNEARTH diligently made their homework in extensively listening to old At The Gates albums.
The opener This Glorious Nightmare might still conceal this influence with its stop-and-go themes and just slightly appearing core-trips, but following Giles, being a potential hit, definitely displays what the band is about. Those who liked The Great Dividers won’t keep it still here as well.
This time the quintet significantly more focuses on comprehensible songwriting, what means, that strophe-refrain-combinations appear so often that one will notice them. That’s something UNEARTH had some difficulties in the past. Though, they were always diversified enough that none could call it “schema F”…
However, there’s no doubt left about the absolutely powerful production by Terry Date, a guy I like for his work. Those, who purchase the ltd. edition will get a bonus DVD that explains that there no clicks were used while recording III: In The Eyes Of Fire. That’s another evidence – beside the songs itself – that the band is quite skilled and talented. Just listen to this tight and heavily groovin’ record! But I have in fact problems to take III: In The Eyes Of Fire (similar to the last Cataract album) as pure (death) metal album. Except a few breaks I honestly see hardly any difference…
It actually doesn’t matter. Songs such like the already mentioned Giles, the fast and crushing The Devil Has Risen, the slightly Arch Enemy-like This Time Was Mine and the chaotic thrasher Impostors Kingdom and should please every headbanger and moshpit in this world. What you want more? Especially, since the last song Big Bear And The Hour Of Chaos proves, that you can do some interesting things with a piano in this matter…
As for me it seems the big breakthrough isn’t that far away anymore, inasmuch the live tracks on the bonus DVD reveal that UNEARTH just leave scorched earth at their shows, although axe-man Ken is exaggeratedly posing. And despite of the obvious stylistic references III: In The Eyes Of Fire kicks fucking ass and is hella fun, worthwhile 8 points, more than deserved.