It should come as no surprise to you ShockYa readers that record sales are not nearly as high as they used to be. Some people might blame the artists for this decline. Music fans out there don’t think nowadays music has the same authenticity as it used to. Well, just insert the auto-tune process after this thought. We tend to agree with the other side of the debate, where the fault is placed on the Internet and its ability to leak tracks throughout the world and to devalue the price of these tracks. We can make the generalization that over the past decade the music industry has progressively changed both for better and for worse. These transformations can wipe out those bands from the music scene who do not choose to adapt to these modifications. This statement cannot be said for the heavy metal group, Unearth, who formed back in 1998 and continue to release album after album.
The Massachusetts band consists of vocalist, Trevor Phipps, guitarist, Ken Susi, guitarist, Buzz McGrath, bassist, John Maggard and drummer, Mike Justain. Following the group’s 2008 release of The March, Unearth is getting ready to drop their 5th album, Darkness In The Light, on July 5th via Metal Blade Records. We had the honor of checking the album out a bit early and let’s say the 11 tracks deliver both instrumentally and lyrically. Darkness In The Light keeps the guitar rift rupture alive, but also adds some new sounds from the drums and piano. Unearth maintains their heavy metal musical foundation, but builds on top of this sound, which further solidifies their presence in the music world. To all aspiring bands out there, in order to stay afloat in this industry and remain current, you must steer clear of having a stagnant sound. These are wise words to live by.
We got the chance to chat with Unearth’s guitarist, Buzz McGrath, about the band’s experience in the music industry, their album, Darkness In The Light, and their upcoming shows at the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. We dug up a considerable amount of dirt on Unearth. In this case, “dirt” holds a different definition, which we only created so we can use our cutesy pun. “Dirt” refers to insightful news that includes a splash of humor. So sit back and enjoy the question and answer below.
You guys have been around in the music industry for over a decade. Can you tell me what that experience has been like? What have been some dramatic changes in the industry?
I guess the biggest thing is the Internet and the way that has enabled anybody to get their music out there. You don’t need a band or a studio or a label, anymore. You can be just a kid in your room. You can get your ideas out there, put them on the Internet and get big. If it is something people are hungry for and want to hear, you can get big just like that. That is a huge thing, just networking in general. When we started up, you know there was no such thing as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter or anything like that. Even e-mail was a new thing to do back then. The networking aspect is a lot easier.
What about the downsides of the Internet on the music industry?
Maybe a little bit of the fact that it makes it easier for people to obtain your music without paying for it and that is hard on bands. You can see with bands across the board that record sales are just totally down. It is something people choose to do. I am not judging anybody. It is just something that happens and I don’t know how to stop it. I don’t know how to fix it, but I know that it does hurt labels and bands. So, that’s the downside I guess or one of the downsides.
Does it feel different releasing albums when you have a secure fan base? Or do album release date nerves still happen?
It’s kind of nerve-racking. You write the music, you would want to hear. You do the best you can and ultimately, you want to please your fans. You put it out there and it is a like baby being born. You plant the seed and this woman that is your band releases the CD, which is your baby, and you hope it doesn’t come out retarded.
Onto your 5th album. Can you tell me why you guys called it Darkness In The Light?
I guess it has a different meaning for everyone in the band. Probably Trevor can give you the correct one, but mine is when someone tells you, you are on a beer and you are looking at an icy beer cooler and in the corner, you see a dark spot in the light and you reach out and grab it, that is the darkness in the light. That’s my interpretation of it. In any situation where it seems too good to be true maybe there is something looming in the background that is evil or unpleasant.
How do you think this album is different instrumentally from 2008’s The March?
The drums on it are way more aggressive and intense, which we purposely did. It is the next level as far as drums go. Guitar wise, it is classic. You got a lot of karate breakdowns and guitar heroics going on, so that is something that we have always done.
Can you tell me about the recording process of Darkness In The Light? Is the process easier now?
This time it was a little bit different. We wrote it without a drummer. We basically wrote the whole thing with a drum program and then had a real drummer come in and play those parts. Obviously, you change it up a little bit with a drummer’s touch, but you know when you have guitar players making drum beats, it is not going to always be the best beats. So, we never played the songs in the same room as a band. They have never been played together as a band until recently.
What track has your favorite guitar rift to play?
I would say it is going to be “Disillusion.” The last song on the record. There is a bunch of rifts in that song. I like that one a lot right now.
“Shadows of Light” is one of my favorite tracks off the album. Can you tell me a little bit about the creation of this tune?
I think we just wanted to make an easy song. The structure of that is pretty simple. The rifts contained in it are very hard hitting. I think it is a great song. It is definitely really catchy. It is in my head a lot of the day when I am just walking around by myself. That is one of the more accessible songs.
“Equinox” is a very different sounding tune compared to the others. Why was it included in the album?
Our bass player plays piano. I always ask him, do you have any piano rifts kicking around? He sent that one over and at first, it was just a piano part and that kind of inspired me to put some guitar over it. It kind of developed somewhat into a song. It is not really like a standard song. It is a nice palette cleanser about halfway through the record or so. It takes you by surprise. It is just another element to our music.
What is it like mixing slower and more somber tempos of the piano with heavy guitar rifts?
It is easy enough. Whenever I get something new that is refreshing, I get inspired. I think on our record, you get screaming heavy metal songs and you have something that mixes it up a little bit. It makes for a nice transition in and out.
What bands are you excited to hear at the RockStar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival?
In Flames for sure. They are one of my favorite bands and have been a huge influence on us. So, I always like to see them. Kingdom of Sorrow also.
Are you guys looking forward to the festival?
Ya, it is going to be one of the first times we get to debut those songs to people live. You’re a little bit nervous when your first play songs live, but seeing people’s reactions to the new songs is always fun.
Which track off the new album are you most excited to perform at the festival?
I think the first song, “Watch It Burn,” is going to be a crowd pleaser.
Anything else?
July 5th get that record. Steal it. Whatever you have to do to get the music.
by Lonnie Nemiroff
