“I KNOW MY WORTH.”
Since their debut in 2016 on EP, The Besdies, UnityTX have found their home within the metalcore scene, Touring alongside the likes of Loathe, Static Dress, Poppy and The Acacia Strain, as well as vocalist Shaolin G featuring on DARKO US track, “Evolving“. A blend of hip-hop and mid 2010s metalcore, UnityTX found a market in the Texas scene which they built out of. Stuck in the stop-and-start of lockdowns on previous material, FERALITY marks what could be the start of something new and exciting for UnityTX.
As the record opens on “ROTTING AWAY (GORE)” and “BURNOUT“, the 00s nu-metal influences that UnityTX had previously played around with get a full dose here. It’s reminiscent of what Blood Youth did with Starve back in 2019, although the results here are better. Both tracks are an early indicator of how the record will seem Korn, POD and Ill Niño influences on its nu-metal cuts, with that slice of authenticity that the many nu-metal bands of that era had.
An early shift comes on “DIAMOND DIEZ“, a nightstalker style beat backs the track, which the husky vocals neatly compliment. Breaking out into a trap-style breakdown gives a twist to the track. It’s also at moments like these that the upgrade on production pays off, which made their previous record feel somewhat muffled. “POWER” does return to their metalcore sensibilities, yet it lacks any real funk or emphasis to make it feel anything other than filler.
Nicely stylized, “PICTURE THIS” sees Shaolin G giving a forceful rap performance. The way it moves into “STING” makes it feel more like a hype track rather than an interlude, giving the track an extra punch, levelling up an average track into something a bit more. This throws FERALITY into a rager in “LOST IN DAYZ…“, filled with angst and harshness that it’s difficult not to throw yourself into as well.
Showing itself into the closing straight comes “KILLING ALCHEMY” which, due to its slower pace, does have the effect of sucking the air out of the momentum that the previous track built. As good as the track is, it does lean too much into that turntable-style nu-metal sound that as good at it was back in the day, which struggles to feel stratifying in this era. “ROC SH!T” rejuvenates the record with it’s sheer attitude, which does lead into a mess of a track on “FAKE LUV”. Too many strings are pulled at, with the vocals seemingly at odds with what is going instrumentality.
“WORLD OF MALICE” delivers a safe enough closer to round off the record. It lacks the impact of a more memorable ending but somewhat calmly closes everything out. It leaves FERALITY as an odd one to judge, as UnityTX have produced their best, yet it seems another excursion that visits itself upon influences a tad too much. There is no doubt most listeners will enjoy FERALITY, and it does take UnityTX up a level, yet they still are a step away from fully crafting a sound of their own.
7/10
FERALITY is out September 8th via Pure Noise Records, the record can be pre-ordered here.