Unsanctum – Ignite The Skies

Russell

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Jul 15, 2001
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The starry attic
www.russellgarwood.co.uk
Unsanctum – Ignite The Skies
Cacophonous – NIHIL37CD – 9th June 2003
By Russell Garwood

The second release from a newly relaunched Cacophonous, "Ignite The Skies", cements the label’s new direction. Gone are the goth/black metal bands of old, and in their place we now have Scalplock’s unforgiving grindcore, and Unsanctum’s caustic, rather death-influenced, metalcore – acts they see as the future of extreme music.

With an average age of seventeen, the four band members are all young, making their competent musicianship more impressive. Drums courtesy of Sean are precise and blast-riddled, but with enough variation to avoid monotony, and David’s bass – while less prominent – is powerful nevertheless. Paul’s vicious guitars contain death elements, with melodic yet grating riffs and sporadic time changes, while Tom’s vocals are usually a throat-shredding metalcore scream, but occasionally border on death growling.

Within the confines of metal sub-genres this is an original release, one many metalcore and select death fans will appreciate greatly. My sole complaint is that – partly due to its ferocity, and partly due to the limited variation – the music can become monotonous and samey. All in all, however, "Ignite The Skies" is a commanding release, from a talented young band. With further developments Unsanctum will have a very bright future