ALBUM REVIEW: Unstable – Tetrarch

The rebirth of nu-metal, or new-nu-metal if you will, has been steadily growing over the last few years with bands like TALLAH, CANE HILL and others leading the charge. The much scrutinised genre has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the past couple of decades, but is well documented as a gateway genre to entice potential metal fans stuck on the fence. Bands like LA quartet TETRARCH have been harnessing what made nu-metal so popular in the early 2000s, taking all the best parts of the genre and adding their own modern flair.  

Their second album Unstable is in every way an improvement over their 2017 debut, Freak. For starters the production on the record is stellar and every instrument is mixed to perfection. The bass was always a major player within nu-metal and thankfully it’s fully audible here. The band’s ability to write a hook is a key selling point throughout Unstable. Leadoff single I’m Not Right is hard-hitting but has a gigantic rock radio chorus, the same goes for the angsty anthem You Never Listen.

The nu-metal influences come thick and fast, with the KORN style squeals, SLIPKNOT-esque aggression and SPINESHANK sized choruses. There is a fine line between the band being influenced by these bands and just straight-up plagiarism but they manage to pull it off due to the one-two attack of guitarists Diamond Rowe and Josh Fore, who play off each other effortlessly and manage to create their own styles and sound. Fore‘s vocals are harsh but melodic, with enough aggression to satisfy the lovers of the heavier aspects of the genre. His growls on Take A Look Inside are powerful, but in contrast to that, the vocal lines on the eerie album closer Trust Me are haunting and sombre.

Rowe is a standout throughout with her effortless riffing and immersive soloing, it’s a shame there aren’t more solos on the album as while they are impressive, they tend to be quite short-lived. Addicted is a pretty standard slow burner but when her solo kicks in, it’s transformative.  

Sick of You boasts one of the most earworm choruses that would fit perfectly within the modern KORN catalogue, Fore’s delivery of the line “I don’t care I’m sick of you!” is powerful and wouldn’t seem out of place coming from the mouth of one Jonathan Davis.  

Pushed Down is a late album highlight with its Meteora-era LINKIN PARK vibes. It’s energetic and infectious and showcases everything the band is capable of. It’s a brilliantly written song, with a catchy refrain and another killer solo. The lyrics can be a little hit and miss, with some lines being incredibly thought-provoking and poignant, while others can feel a little cheesy and too on-the-nose. But that was always part and parcel of the genre and some may not be too bothered by the lyrical content. Either way, you’ll be bellowing every chorus by the second listen through.

Your love for this album will most likely depend on your original love for nu-metal, but even if you were lukewarm originally or you missed it the first time around, there should be something on this album for everyone. Some may find that TETRARCH might be paying a little too close a homage to their early 2000s influences, but what they have created here is an album of anthems for the underdogs full of arena-worthy tracks with incredibly catchy choruses and colossal driving riffs. There’s a lot of talent on show here, and they are just getting started. If they can break away and keep building elements of their own sound, TETRARCH will be headlining festival stages in no time.

Rating: 8/10

Unstable is set for release on April 30th via Napalm Records.

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