Info
Band: Unparalleled Height
Album: Rise of the Voiceless
Style: Hard Rock / Metal
Released: 26th November, 2013
Label: Independent
Country: USA
Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnparalleledHeight
Seeing bands like BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, and
TRIVIUM in a band's description always makes me take a closer look at
what these bands sound like. So, when I recently discovered
UNPARALLELED HEIGHT I knew I had to give it a go and listen to their
debute release Rise of the Voiceless.
In terms of production, I can't help but think about JUDAS PRIEST's
Nostradamus (think whatever
you like about the album but the production is quite similar). This,
by the way, should not indicate what the music sounds like on Rise
of the Voiceless.
The record starts off with a short
intro (“The Rise”) that creates just the dark atmosphere you'd
expect from an album like this. Following this is the first real
song: “Strength Through Silence”. Heavy, but still melodic
guitars and time changes here and there build up a rather progressive
song which already makes me think of some of the already mentioned
bands (during the interlude, especially BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE comes
into mind).
“Memories Remain” starts with a
real “in-your-face”-attitude. An AVENGED SEVENFOLD verse and
riffs that could have found a place on the second KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
album The End of Heartache
– who couldn't like this? The only critique that could possibly be
mentioned is the choruses. A little too slow and soft for my taste,
but in the end this is up to everyone's own likes. However, I love
the verse in “Spare This Soul” with its great drive. Makes me
think of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE again (maybe they should be added in the
description, too?).
One of the record's first highlights
is “Breaking Through”. No matter how hard I look, I can't find
anything in this song that I could criticize. The intro's heavy
groove, the (at first) guitar-less verse, and this time even the
chorus – this song is an absolute recommendation! In “Never Far
Away” it's time to break it down a little. Acoustic guitars in the
verse and the synthesizers in the background make this track a really
nice rock ballad.
Enough ballads for now – or at
least that's what you could think listening to the intro to “The
Vision Never Dies”. But again, the verse is very balladic;
although, this time it's really just the verse. What I like most
about the track is the constantly played lead towards the end of the
chorus that just doesn't want to leave your head. “Dethroned” –
damn it, I found my favourite. The lyrics, the riffs, the solos, the
breakdown (!), everything. Without protest, this HAS to be the
album's best song!
Or has it? “Steadfast Spirit”
starts off promising as well. The verse's riffs are heavy as hell,
the chorus is just as I would want all the other choruses on the
album to be – powerful and with a melody that stick to your head –
and again one of the mightiest breakdowns I've heard this year (and I
listened to ABR's Rescue and Restore!).
Great song! “Malevolence End”
just doesn't even pretend to give me the time to catch some breath.
Mighty riffs, heavy grooves, TRIVIUM-like interludes, great vocals –
six minutes that are more than just enjoyable.
Rise of the Voiceless closes
with “Heroes Prevail” – an absolutely epic song. Starting off
quite silent and balladic, it soon progresses into an (JUDAS PRIESTs
Nostradamus-like)
interlude and continues into an awesome rock verse. The synthesizers
sometimes even remind me of Swedish band SONIC SYNDICATE's first
album Eden Fire.
This song doesn't offer six
minutes, but ten minutes, of brilliant songwriting.
Rise of the Voiceless is a
promising debute album by a band that you should definitely keep an
eye on. The four songs towards the end and “Breaking Through”
show the band's potential, and I can't wait to hear more of these
guys.
Listen to: “Breaking Through”,
“Dethroned”, “Steadfast Spirit”, “Malevolence End”,
“Heroes Prevail”
8 out of 10 points
Track list:
1. The Rise
2. Strength Through Silence
3. Memories Remain
4. Spare This Soul
5. Breaking Through
6. Never Far Away
7. The Vision Never Dies
8. Dethroned
9. Steadfast Spirit
10. Malevolence End
11. Heroes Prevail
Members:
Vocals: Dave Kelly
Guitar, Vocals: Tyler James
Larkin
Lead Guitar: CJ Masciantonio
Bass: James Davis
Drums: Justin Welling
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