“You will never be alone.”
Reading based post-hardcore quintet Schemata Theory are back after more than half a decade with their third full length album Unity In Time. While playing safe with the first half of the album by sticking to the know and proven formulaic song structure that the genre is known for, the second half of it is where the meat of the album is.
Intro “As Clouds Gather” is a slow buildup where each layer gradually speeds it up and right into an ear smashing riff of “Voices”. The dichotomy of dual vocalists Myles Dyer and Luke Wright. Their differing styles of vocals, cleans and uncleans build a possess a synergy throughout the song which adds a fresh flavor to it while guitarists Mario Scinto and Huw Roch help build a certain atmosphere to the song. “Prism” has a beautiful interplay between slower, more melodic parts accompanied by minor strums of the guitars and the heavier, reverbs of guitars on full blast. Drummer Joshua Barretto does a stellar job of complimenting to the atmosphere of the songs.
“Mind Eater” and “New Vision” continues with the quintet giving their best. Sounding a bit like something of the newest Wage War album Manic. The only thing differing them sonically from Wage War is the mixing that leans more towards donning an atmospheric touch to it rather than stupidly heavy moshability. While the song structures so far are generic and something post-hardcore listeners would be well acquainted with and if you’re me, rather bored of, this is by no means a trend throughout the album.
Packed right at the center at what would otherwise have been a repetitive album, “Vantage Point” feels sort of like an interlude comprising of spoken word. Samples of eminent public figures speeches intertwined with a somber and delicate melody of an acoustic guitar provide a much needed break from the atmospheric aspect. Akin to the sound of Nordic Giants, it builds right into the message that the band wishes to convey. “Our Only Home” is a return to the heavier side of the band with some of the most diverse vocal range showcased on the album. Borrowing from a spoken word sample as on “Vantage Point” in the bridge, the song croons about mother nature and how it’s longevity is under peril.
“Mirrors” is a standout song on the album. A behemoth endeavor of more than 7 minutes, it is the culmination of all aspects of the band sonically packed into one massive song. With minor changes in rhythm and the blaring dual vocals, despite the long runtime, it never feels repetitive. The culmination of Unity In Time in the form of “Pain Unknown” and “Horror Show” are the definitive blend of the two styles the band has, the mellow and the heavy.
With the second half being far more superior than the first half, owing to the latter being your average run of the mill post-hardcore, Schemata Theory really shine in the second half especially in the final two tracks where the amalgamation of their styles is dominant. The contrasting vocals and the atmosphere added by the instrumentation and the spoken word manage to deliver the message of unity and compassion that the band wishes to convey.
7/10
Unity In Time is set to release via self-release on February 25th, 2022. You can pre-order the album here and stream Unity In Time on various platforms.