Unearth is an American metalcore band formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1998. The group consists of lead guitarist Buz McGrath, vocalist Trevor Phipps, bassist Chris O'Toole, drummer Mike Justian and rhythm guitarist Peter Layman. They are currently signed to Century Media Records and have released eight studio albums. Their most recent studio album, The Wretched; the Ruinous, was released on May 5, 2023.
Formation and The Stings of Conscience (1998–2002)
Unearth was formed by Buz McGrath, Mike Rudberg, Chris Rybicki and Ken Susi in Boston, Massachusetts in 1998. The band began as Point 04 (containing McGrath, Rudberg, and Rybicki), and Trevor Phipps 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 coined by drummer Mike Rudberg as he wanted the band to "Unearth" a new sound in the metal and hardcore world. Quickly gaining traction in Boston alongside Overcast, Shadows Fall, and other popular Boston NWOAHM bands and given high praise in independent 'Zines, They went on a short Northeast US Tour with Since the Fall and other Metalcore pioneers Arranged By Steve Cossman.
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, Guitar World dubbed the album “groundbreaking," writing that these "forefathers of metalcore" combined "melodic licks with aggressive riffing in a manner both striking and original.”[2] They then released the Endless EP in 2002. During the process of Endless, Chris Rybicki left the group and was first replaced by former Poison the Well bassist Andrew Abramowitz. After Abramowitz left, John Maggard came in.
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.[3] Also, Buz McGrath left for personal problems, but came back shortly after. The rest of Unearth would then use Tim Mycek of Sworn Enemy as temporary replacement drummer and Kia Eshghi of Rumi on lead guitar. Before McGrath returned, Mike Martin from All That Remains also filled in for him. After McGrath's return, Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage also filled in on drums for the last two months of the year. In late 2003, they would later begin touring with Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Lamb of God for MTV's Headbangers Ball United States tour. In the spring of 2004, Unearth was one of the opening bands on the second MTV Headbangers ball tour, they played alongside groups like Hatebreed, Damageplan & Drowning Pool.[4]
With Buz McGrath and new permanent drummer Mike Justian, of The Red Chord and previously post-hardcore band Hassan I Sabbah, Unearth released The Oncoming Storm through Metal Blade Records on June 29, 2004. The album became their first to make Billboard 200 debuting at 105, it was met with mixed but mostly positive reviews. That summer, they played at Ozzfest on the second stage. Unearth then went on tour once again in the Fall of 2004, this time as a headliner. Terror, The Black Dahlia Murder & Remembering Never all supported the band on that tour.[5] In 2005, Unearth performed in the first ever Sounds of the Underground tour with numerous bands like Norma Jean, Gwar, and All That Remains. They also toured with Slipknot & As I Lay Dying in late 2005 in the United States.[6]
III: In the Eyes of Fire (2006–2008)
Unearth in 2006
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 in 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".[7][citation not found] 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. The album debuted at number 35 on the Billboard 200, and 2 on the US Indie Charts. Overall it was met with positive reception, Blabbermouth.net wrote “Unearth is an aggressive METAL band with chops and an ability to write memorable songs. "III: In the Eyes of Fire" is proof of it.[8] 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 European tour in the beginning of 2007 with Job for a Cowboy, Despised Icon, and DÅÅTH. 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 was fired from the band for numerous reasons. 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.
The band's live DVD Alive from the Apocalypse was released on March 18, 2008, and debuted at No. 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.
As of early 2009, it was confirmed The March had sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide.[10] In March 2010, Unearth confirmed they would play the Download Festival, opening the festival on the Maurice Jones Stage (formerly known as Main Stage) along with Killswitch Engage, 36 Crazyfists and Them Crooked Vultures. The band also held two separate Australian tours in both 2009 and 2010.[11]
On September 20, 2010, it was announced former bassist Chris Rybicki was killed in a car accident caused by an intoxicated woman. He was 39 years old.[12]
On October 25, 2010, Unearth issued a statement saying they and Derek Kerswill had amicably parted ways. The band stated there was no bad blood towards Kerswill, and that the situation was purely based on musical differences. Justin Foley filled in for drums for their new album.[citation needed]
Unearth completed a North American tour with As I Lay Dying, All That Remains and Carnifex, and headed to Europe for the ten-day "Persistence Tour" in December 2010.
Darkness in the Light (2011–2013)
In January 2011 the band entered the studio to work on their fifth studio album entitled Darkness in the Light, which was later released on July 5, 2011. The album was produced by Adam Dutkiewicz and drums were tracked by Justin Foley of KillSwitch Engage. It debuted at number 72 on the Billboard 200, and once again the album received positive reception, with PopMatters stating “Darkness in the Light is the latest declaration of Unearth’s greatness, and a sign that there is only more top-notch metal to come.[13] On the Metal Injection LiveCast on Wednesday, April 13, Buz McGrath was the special guest.[citation needed] He discussed the new album and mentioned a possible release date. He mentioned that it was lead vocalist Trevor Phipps' best effort on all the Unearth albums.[citation needed]
In 2013, Unearth was a part of the Brothers of Brutality tour headlined by Whitechapel and Emmure. John did not perform this tour due to personal matters. Former Poison the Well bassist Iano Dovi and Chimaira guitarist Matt DeVries took over until his return.
Watchers of Rule and departure of John Maggard (2014–2016)
In mid 2014 the band embarked on a 10th anniversary tour for their album The Oncoming Storm playing it in its entirety.[15]
During fall 2014, Unearth released two tracks from their new album Watchers of Rule, which was later released on October 28, 2014, via eOne Music and features 11 tracks on the regular edition and 13 tracks on the deluxe version. The album debuted at number 105 on the Billboard 200.
In an interview with Noisefull, lead guitarist Buz McGrath revealed that the band currently has an open bass player position, confirming that John 'Slo' Maggard (who had been missing from touring for the last two years and did not contribute to Watchers of Rule) is no longer in the band.[16] DeVries, who had performed live bass on all but one tour since the start of 2013, also chose to end his association with the band (and indeed stepped out of music altogether) at year's end, with Chris O'Toole being selected as a live fill-in afterward.
In 2015 they toured worldwide doing shows in North America along with separate tours in Europe and Asia.[17]
The band then supported Soilwork on their Fury Tour alongside Battlecross, Darkness Divided and Wovenwar.[18] They also took part in the 2016 MTV Headbangers Ball Tour.[19]
In 2017, Unearth did a small spring headliner with Fit for an Autopsy, Exalt and Darkness Divided.
The first single off their newest album, Incinerate premiered on July 2, 2018. The album Extinction(s) was released on November 23. The album was met with favorable reviews with New Noise Magazine writing “The band presents a vast and engaging metallic sound while at the same time maintaining an important edge that never really lets up.”[20]
In support of the new album, the band went on a late 2018 tour with Fit for an Autopsy once again, The Agony Scene and Traitors joined as support.
In early 2019, Unearth co-headlined The "Death to False Metalcore Tour" with Darkest Hour. Misery Signals, Malevolence and Left Behind joined as support on the tour.
Unearth supported Soulfly in February 2019 on the West Coast for their Ritual Tour.[21]
Unearth opened up for All That Remains on their Spring Headliner Tour. Big Story and The 9th Planet Out also joined up on the tour.[22]
Unearth opened up for Soulfly once again this year for the "Blood on the Streets" tour. Incite, Prison and Arrival of Autumn were all featured on the lineup.[23]
Unearth then did a co-headlining tour with Darkest Hour in December 2019 across the West Coast portion in the United States.[24] Unearth then did a mini east coast run with Gwar as they supported them on their "Use Your Collusion" tour with Savage Master.[25]
Unearth headlined a European tour in February 2020 alongside Prong, Dust Bolt and Sinaro.[26]
Unearth was supposed to headline a tour in Australia during the months of April and May that year with The Ascended, but the tour was postponed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[27]
Unearth was one of the bands to open up for Shadows Fall on their reunion show at the Palladium venue in Worcester, Massachusetts, alongside Darkest Hour, Within the Ruins, Sworn Enemy and Carnivora.[28]
On June 2, 2022, the band announced they had parted ways with Nick Pierce and that former drummer Mike Justian had returned to the band. They also announced they were working on a new album.[29]
Unearth opened up for Killswitch Engage on their Holidaze Rager 2 tour in December 2022. Rivers of Nihil and Lybica also joined up as supporting acts.[30]
The Wretched; the Ruinous and departure of Ken Susi (2023–present)
In January 2023, Unearth performed several headlining shows all across many different countries like Japan, Australia and Taiwan.[31][32]
Unearth is set to headline a European tour in April 2023. Misery Index, Year of the Knife, Leach and Turbid North will be joining up as the supporting acts.[33]
On March 3, 2023, the band announced their eighth album, The Wretched; the Ruinous, would be released on May 5. The band also released a new single from the album, "Mother Betrayal", and also announced they had officially parted ways with Ken Susi after he took an extended hiatus from the band.[34]
The band began a 20th anniversary tour in honor of The Oncoming Storm in June of 2024; alongside Bleeding Through, Overcast, Fuming Mouth, All Out War, High Command, and Apes.[35] On July 12, 2024, the band surprised released an EP titled Bask in the Blood of Our Demons.[36]
Artistry
Unearth is usually described as a Metalcore band, and unlike other artists who shun labels for fear of getting pigeonholed, Unearth has fully embraced the “metalcore” label. Though metalcore has gone through many swingUnearth has generally kept core elements of their style: technical riffs, melodic leads, aggressive vocals, hardcore-influenced breakdowns.[37][38][39]
Their lyrics usually touch upon political/environmental issues, personal struggles, adversity, and the division within society.[37] In a 2019 interview the bands lead singer Trevor Phipps stated that he’s always been inspired by to write lyrics by what’s going on around him.[40]
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