Unearth is an American metalcore band from Winthrop, Massachusetts, formed in 1998. To date the band has released four studio albums, their latest album, The March, was released on October 14, 2008.
History
Early career (1998-2002)
Unearth was formed by Trevor Phipps, Buz McGrath, Talon Dupont, Mike Rudberg, and Chris Rybicki in Wakefield, Massachusetts in 1998. The band began as Point 04 (containing McGrath, Rudberg, and Rybicki), and Susi was recruited soon afterwards. The band attempted to recruit Phipps while he recovered from appendicitis, but Phipps was reluctant to join. However, when Phipps showed up to a jam session for one of Susi's side bands, Unearth was practicing instead, and Phipps agreed to join after hearing the song "Shattered by the Sun." The name "Unearth" was reused from drummer Mike Rudberg's old band. On the small independent label, Endless Fight Records, they released their first EP called Above the Fall of Man in May 1999. Unearth then signed to Eulogy Recordings to release The Stings of Conscience in 2001 and the Endless EP in 2002. During the process of Endless, Chris Rybicki left the group and was replaced by John Maggard.
The Oncoming Storm (2003-2005)
After playing tours and festivals like the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival with Unearth, Mike Rudberg departed from the group days after their performance at The SXSW in 2003, having performed the show in the nude.[1] Also Buz McGrath left for personal problems but came back shortly after. The rest of Unearth would then use Paulie Antignai of Sworn Enemy as temporary replacement drummer and Kia Eshghi of Rumi as a touring guitarist (before Buz returned).
With Buz McGrath and new permanent drummer Mike Justian, of The Red Chord and previously Post-Hardcore/Screamo band Hassan I Sabbah, Unearth released The Oncoming Storm under Metal Blade Records on June 29, 2004. That summer, they played on Ozzfest and would later begin touring with Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Lamb of God for MTV's Headbangers Ball US tour. They would also tour with Slipknot the next year. In 2005, Unearth performed in the first ever Sounds Of The Underground tour with numerous bands like Norma Jean, Gwar, and All That Remains.
In the Eyes of Fire (2006-2008)
In early 2006, they began writing their next album. After the writing process, they recorded III: In the Eyes of Fire with well-known heavy metal producer Terry Date at Seattle. This latest coup was yet another landmark in their blossoming career, a fact the band were quick to acknowledge: "Working with Terry Date is another amazing feat for us on a growing list of accomplishments"[2]. As they finished their latest album, they performed at Ozzfest for the second time, including songs from the album even though it was not destined for release until August 8, 2006. During the release, they began their headlined Sanctity of Brothers tour with Bleeding Through, Animosity, Through the Eyes of the Dead and Terror. After participating in Japan's Loud Park festival, Unearth and Slayer toured together all around the U.S. in early 2007 on the Christ Illusion tour. They headlined a tour in the beginning of 2007 with Job for a Cowboy, Despised Icon, and DÅÅTH. They then headlined a European tour which was followed by a U.S. & Canadian tour with Dimmu Borgir, Devildriver and Kataklysm that began in the middle of April. It was during this tour that drummer Mike Justian decided to leave the band. His departure was amicable, according to other members of the band. To fill in for the rest of the tour, Gene Hoglan of Strapping Young Lad was recruited. They played in the 2007 Download Festival with Seemless/Kingdom of Sorrow/studio drummer Derek Kerswill who has since joined the band officially.
As of June 7, III: In the Eyes of Fire has sold 85,000 copies in the US.[3]
The band's new live DVD Alive from the Apocalypse was released on March 18 2008, and debuted at #13 on the Billboard Top Music Video Chart, with sales around 1,800. It was also certified gold in Canada a week after its release.
The March (2008 onward)
On October 14, 2008, Unearth released their fourth album, entitled The March. The album features a re-recorded version of the song "The Chosen," which they contributed to the album Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters Colon the Soundtrack. The band recently completed a tour with Gwen Stacy, Whitechapel, The Acacia Strain and Protest the Hero. They are currently on the Never Say Die Club Tour with Parkway Drive, Despised Icon, Architects, Protest The Hero, Whitechapel and Carnifex. They will be on the Metal Hammer Defenders of the Faith tour with other acts such as Lamb of God, Dimmu Borgir and Five Finger Death Punch
As of Early 2009, it has been confirmed by billboard.com that The March has sold more than 100,000 copies world wide.
Musical influences
Band members cited in interview with Metal Hammer that their key influences are Pantera, Slayer, old Metallica, Earth Crisis, At The Gates.
Band members
Current members
- Trevor Phipps – lead vocals (since 1998)
- Buz McGrath – guitars (since onward)
- Ken Susi – guitars, backing vocals (since 1998)
- John "Slo" Maggard – bass, keyboards, backing vocals (since 2002)
- Derek Kerswill – drums, percussion (since 2007)
Former members
- Chris "Rover" Rybicki – bass (1998–2002)
- Mike Rudberg – drums, percussion (1998–2002)
- Mike Justian – drums, percussion (2002–2007, now part of 108, previously of The Red Chord, Backstabbers Inc., and Trap Them)
Fill-Ins For Tours & Miscelaneous Reasons
- Kia Eshghi - guitar (Filled in for Buz from 2001-2004, and again during the fall 2004 headlining tour following the release of The Oncoming Storm).
- Tim Mycek - drums (Filled in after Mike Rudberg left. Former member of the band Sworn Enemy)
- Peter Layman - guitar (Filled in for Buz during 2005 Japan/Australia tour, also a founding member of the band Apiary)
- Dave Stauble - guitar (Filled in for Buz during 2002 summer US tour. Original Since the Flood guitarist)
- Scott McDonald - guitar (Filled in for Buz during 2001 summer US tour. Originally guitarist in Sevenday Curse, currently guitarist in Avariel)
- Gene Hoglan - drums (Filled in after Mike Justain left, made a brief return after Kerswill's first run with the band, 2007)
- Emil Werstler of Daath - Guitar (Filled in for Buz in January 2009 on the Fuck School, Fuck work, Let's Rage Tour)
Discography
References
- ^ Decibel Magazine
- ^ ► METAL CENTRE Mailorder & Webzine - Heavy Power Death Thrash Black Gothic Metal & more ► 02/06/2008
- ^ IndieHQ 2.0 » Independent Sales Chart 6-6-07
External links
