Anyone a fan of Unleash the Archers? ABYSS out now!

[Samsara]

I'm guessing the concert next weekend will be cancelled.  I've been enjoying the Apex album this week too 

That sucks man. I read the lyrics to Apex last night. Confirmed my thoughts on the story. Just bad ass fantasy-laden storytelling. 

 Brittney said during the show that the next record (due July) is a continuation of the story...

[Peter Mc]

Teaser is up for the new album. Sounds pretty different with synths in the mix but still cool. Can’t wait to see what The Matriarch will get up to next!

[Samsara]

Teaser is up for the new album. Sounds pretty different with synths in the mix but still cool. Can’t wait to see what The Matriarch will get up to next!

Yep, absolutely pumped. With UtA and Fates Warning both releasing records, at least 2020 will have some decent music. LOL.

I also love that UtA wrote the album entirely with seven string guitars. Should have a really heavy groove. I went ahead and pre-ordered one of the super bundles and the 7"/Earbook combo too. Went overboard, but I don't care. LOL

[Peter Mc]

Just ordered the ear book myself, I’m a sucker for these types of deluxe releases especially when they are in the £40 range rather than hundreds.  Apex is still an album in pretty regular rotation for me, one of my favourite albums of recent years.

[MoraWintersoul]

This will vanquish all other albums coming out in 2020, mark my words.

[cramx3]

With UtA and Fates Warning both releasing records, at least 2020 will have some decent music. LOL.

2020 already has a bunch of solid releases IMO and there's lots more coming up including this one, I'm looking forward to it

[Peter Mc]

Yeah, not been a great year for me albumwise. Really enjoyed the Ad Infinitum debut album (another female fronted act from Napalm Records) but can’t think of too much else. Satriani album was pretty disappointing (though I will admit I haven’t given it that many listens) and the Revolution Saints album was nothing special either (I know they’re not beloved round here but I like them, especially the first album).  Obviously, without Covid, we’d be getting an album by Steven Wilson and not sure what the story is with the upcoming Transatlantic album, whether that will be affected.  Hope things pick up as the year goes on.

[Peter Mc]

Not sure if it’s supposed to be but the first single is up on Apple Music. After first listen, not sure it’s quite as good as anything on Apex but it’s only one listen.  It has the same level of production values as Apex, maybe even more lush, and sounds great but the chorus doesn’t quite grab me like most of them do on that album.  It’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination, I love the verses and the chorus may turn out to be a grower.  Still miles better than anything pre-Apex.

[Adami]

New song is cool. But god damn I want the drummer to shave his mustache.

[cramx3]

Yup, I'm enjoying the new song.  Here's the music video

UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Abyss (Official Video)

[Peter Mc]

Ok, I listened to it a bunch more times and, whilst I still find the chorus very slightly low-key, I don’t dislike it and the rest of the song is virtual perfection. I don’t actually think I could love Brittney Slayes any more than I do and, if there is a better vocalist in metal right now, male or female, I cannot name them. What an incredible majestic voice she has backed by a super talented band.

Cant wait for the album.

[cramx3]

I can, Tommy Karevik but I have a man crush on him. That's nothing against Brittney or UtA though, solid song and I'm looking forward to the album. Just sucks I couldn't get to see them this year, seems they rescheduled the dragonforce tour for next year so there's a chance for 2021

[Peter Mc]

Is he the Seventh Wonder guy? Haven’t heard enough of him to say one way or the other.

[Zook]

Is he the Seventh Wonder guy? Haven’t heard enough of him to say one way or the other.

That's ok. Russell Allen is better.

I need to check this band out. From what I heard, they are similar to Vandroya.

[Peter Mc]

If you’re going to check them out, I would start with their last album Apex. In my opinion, it’s light years ahead of anything else they’ve done.  Don’t be put off by the opening track Awakenings as not everything is a million miles an hour like that.

[cramx3]

New music video for song Soulbound (which I believe they were performing live on their last tour)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yFH-O05uS0

[EPICVIEW]

they do nothing for me at all  ... nope

[Peter Mc]

Another good song.  Not sure they’ve quite hit the heights of Apex in these two songs but still very enjoyable.

[Samsara]

Another good song.  Not sure they’ve quite hit the heights of Apex in these two songs but still very enjoyable.

Yes! I dug them both.

[cramx3]

Another good song.  Not sure they’ve quite hit the heights of Apex in these two songs but still very enjoyable.

I feel the same, good songs, not quit at the apex level but very enjoyable

[Samsara]

Working my way through the new album this morning (I have the media advance). They are showing a lot of growth and truly embracing the whole storytelling concept fully.

Honestly, the tracks "Through Stars" and "Legacy" threw me for a loop. I mean, it sounds like UTA, but they've incorporated many, many different new elements into their sound. Not in bad way at all, but if you're used to the pure POWER METAL of UTA, these two tracks will raise an eyebrow.

As advertised, the record has a lot of synth parts, and the guitars are seven-string. Regarding the synth, if you're wondering the level of their use, if you know Alter Bridge's last record, Walk the Sky, think that, crossed with a bit of symphonic metal bands (just a touch). It's still got the great guitars and screams, but they really spread their wings on this one, creatively.

Anyway, not a review. I want to listen for a bit. But those were my first thoughts on the first few songs on the record.

p.s. those of you who liked the song "Apex," the new tune, "The Wind That Shapes the Land" will be a favorite. It's an incredible journey! 

[Peter Mc]

The song title alone (The Wind That Shapes The Land) has me excited about that one. Sounds like an epic Iron Maiden song title.  Am excited to hear the album, enjoying the two singles and Soulbound has maybe overtaken Apex as my favourite.  Am glad to hear it’s not all full on power metal. I can see why people put them in that category but I think they’re better than that. They have a darker, heavier side to them than traditional power metal like DragonForce or Symphony X who are much more cheesy.  I know Awakening seems to be their big song and that is pretty cheesy power metal but it’s far from my favourite, possibility my least favourite on Apex.

[kirksnosehair]

they do nothing for me at all  ... nope

I have all their albums in my queue in Amazon Music and I do listen to them from time to time but in all honesty I don't think I could name the title of a single song of theirs.  Not saying it's bad or anything like that, it just didn't make much of an impression on me.

[Samsara]

The song title alone (The Wind That Shapes The Land) has me excited about that one. Sounds like an epic Iron Maiden song title.  Am excited to hear the album, enjoying the two singles and Soulbound has maybe overtaken Apex as my favourite.  Am glad to hear it’s not all full on power metal. I can see why people put them in that category but I think they’re better than that. They have a darker, heavier side to them than traditional power metal like DragonForce or Symphony X who are much more cheesy.  I know Awakening seems to be their big song and that is pretty cheesy power metal but it’s far from my favourite, possibility my least favourite on Apex.

My favorite on Apex is the title track. I love the heavy power metal stuff. But the stuff that really changes moods and takes you somewhere is what I love.

The one thing about this new record is you can tell from the start it isn't a standalone piece. It's meant to follow Apex when you listen. the opening track, Waking Dream, is more like a long segue (it isn't instrumental though). The album's proper lead track is actually "Abyss," and they blend together seamlessly.

[cramx3]

they do nothing for me at all  ... nope

I have all their albums in my queue in Amazon Music and I do listen to them from time to time but in all honesty I don't think I could name the title of a single song of theirs.  Not saying it's bad or anything like that, it just didn't make much of an impression on me.

I would say, they don't blow me away, but they are a really solid metal band that is up and coming it seems.  The song Apex is really the only track I've heard that I really loved on first listen.  The album is really good but I can kind of see what you mean about the songs not sticking out in a way.  I'm looking forward to the new album, I think the band has been progressing towards something that I really enjoy more than their older stuff (from what I've heard, I don't have any of the older albums).

[Samsara]

they do nothing for me at all  ... nope

I have all their albums in my queue in Amazon Music and I do listen to them from time to time but in all honesty I don't think I could name the title of a single song of theirs.  Not saying it's bad or anything like that, it just didn't make much of an impression on me.

I would say, they don't blow me away, but they are a really solid metal band that is up and coming it seems.  The song Apex is really the only track I've heard that I really loved on first listen.  The album is really good but I can kind of see what you mean about the songs not sticking out in a way.  I'm looking forward to the new album, I think the band has been progressing towards something that I really enjoy more than their older stuff (from what I've heard, I don't have any of the older albums).

Apex, the album, was the first record I heard from them, when I went backwards, I liked it less and less. I only really listen to Apex (and the Explorers EP), Time Stands Still, and the EP, Defy the Skies. Anything earlier just doesn't work for me. But I have every release.

[Peter Mc]

they do nothing for me at all  ... nope

I have all their albums in my queue in Amazon Music and I do listen to them from time to time but in all honesty I don't think I could name the title of a single song of theirs.  Not saying it's bad or anything like that, it just didn't make much of an impression on me.

To be honest, I don’t enjoy any of their albums prior to Apex. That album, to me at least, was a gargantuan leap forward for them and is one of my favourite metal albums of recent years.  It’s an album where the opening few tracks don’t tell the whole story and there’s more interesting and varied stuff as the album goes on.  If you care to give them a try, I would take a listen to the song False Walls which is a bit more progressive and less power metal.

[Peter Mc]

Wow, the new album is quite a lot different and a bigger departure than I was expecting. Kudos to them for not just making Apex 2.  Not sure how I feel about it yet after one listen.  I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it either. The two singles started off similar though and I love those songs now.  Hopefully the album will grow on me similarly.  Not sure how big a fanbase these guys have but I’ve got a feeling this will be a pretty polarising record for them.  It’s a very different sound, nowhere near as dark and heavy.  I’m. not a longtime fan, just a fan of their previous record really so I’m not as entrenched in them sounding a certain way but I think people who are huge fans of their catalogue may baulk at some of this.  Hope I’m wrong.

[cramx3]

Forgot this was dropping today, just got my download off amazon so I'll be listening 

[Peter Mc]

Listened a few times now and has grown on me a lot already, gets better with every listen.

[cramx3]

Definitely enjoyed it on first listen 

[Peter Mc]

Had this on most of the day today and, maybe I’m just delirious at 2am, but this is easily album of the year for me and I don’t see anything beating it in the remaining months. It’s too early to say this is better than Apex (one of my favourite albums of recent years) but I’m starting to think it might be.  The Wind That Shapes The Land is also likely to be my song of the year.

I will reiterate my claim of a few weeks ago that Brittney Hayes is the greatest metal vocalist on planet Earth right now.  Some fantastic guitar work as well and the drummer is great too.

[Samsara]

I'm really enjoying the new record a LOT. It does indeed get better the more you listen.

i also bought the "ticket" and watched their record release concert the other day. It was good! You could tell Brittany had a cold, but after the first few songs she opened up, and...well, there she was. For $13 total (10 bucks plus 3 dollar fee...wherever that goes, I assume the company providing the stream), it was a nice 90 minutes. Doesn't replace the live feel, but it was cool seeing UTA do its thing live (in a real venue) on these new songs (and some old ones) for an hour and a half.

[Grappler]

I've listened to the album a few times and really like it.  I haven't spent too much time with Apex or Time Stands Still, so it's hard for me to compare, but I do like what I've heard on the new one. 

[cramx3]

Honestly felt the live stream was too quick.  Like, I would be interested in it if they did it in a week or two when I had time to digest the album so I didn't buy into it.  I didn't really want to pay, make sure I was available, and then watch a concert of songs I didn't know.  UtA just aren't a band I love so much (yet) to do that for, but I do like them, and so far am really enjoying the album.