EP REVIEW: Perspectives – The Uncharted
THE UNCHARTED release their debut EP Perspectives, in which the seven piece follow the search for meaning in life through the lens of an unknown character, whose narrative of pain, failures and hardships is a journey towards clarity and purpose. Does the band fulfil its bold scope?
Starting out, Deathdrive opens in haunting keys, a rising synth beat and melancholy voices echo over before the onslaught of blast beats, tech-laced guitar riffs and a variety of vocals push though. The overall tone of the vocals is probably the most interesting dynamic at play here; shifting between clean harmonies, much more in tone with alt rock and pop punk, alongside deep gravelly barks and murky screams, it’s a nice textual landscape flowing over the consistent musical display. Next, Catch 22 brings ever more frantic tech/djent sounds, overlaying a fair amount of symphonics, synthetic and ambience to keep the complicated soundscape awash with new points of interests on repeat listens. It might be too much an experimental track to capture everyone, but those looking for a little more creative venture with the mix of heavy and lighter themes, along with the band’s overall arc through this EP will find something to like.
Taking a breath, Half Light lays off the hard-prog movements for a more ambient melody. The sincerity of the vocals is clear, regardless of them being a little less than perfect. Nonetheless, this is a song that warrants a more raw and honest performance rather than total polish. The EP itself being about struggle, the need to be expressive in both the musical direction and the vocals are paramount. With this in mind, THE UNCHARTED are hitting every nail on the head.
Horizons pushes back with a metalcore heart, with that apparent symphonic metal overtone. The zest of Perspectives lies in the determination to compress as much technical guitarwork, intrepid rhythms and vocal ranges as possible, and while it executes its musical angles and experimentation with passion, occasionally its eagerness to incorporate as many sub-genres as possible can come across as verbose. However overall the mixture of influences generally shows promise.
The feel to the penultimate Vision is much braver and less despairing than the beginning of the record. It’s an obvious musical signifier for the progression of our unnamed protagonist, of whom the band have burdened such a struggle throughout Perspectives. Regardless, we’re coming up out of the darkness here, and while things are still as bold and multifaceted, the strong performance now balances itself with the sense of hope. Echoing the beginning of the record, Revival slowly expands from silence into a bouncing metalcore crescendo. It’s an absolute riff fest, and it feels like the strength of the band is expressed at its fullest here. Beautiful details in the keys, tight work on the drums, basslines low and bold, and a variety of vocal stylings that bring everything together. Everything is flowing and complimentary here. It’s a chock-full ending to a very creative and impressive first EP.
Overall, THE UNCHARTED have proven that they have heart and ferocity, as well as the chops to achieve some real feats of the progressive genre. Occasionally overzealous to bite off more than it can chew, the mix is still explosive and technical as it is weighted with the strong emotional narrative it follows, making Perspectives a high example of the vibrant future the band have.
Rating: 7/10
Perspectives is out now via self-release.
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