Unkind - Pelon Juuret (Album Review)

Album Type : Full Length

Date Released : 8/7/2013

Label : Relapse Records

Pelon Juuret, album track listing:

1). Pelon Juuret 2:44

2). Vihan Lapset 2:50

3). Valtakunta 6:08

4). Viallinen 5:31

5). Laki 3:13

6). Olemisen Pelko 4:30

7). Saattokoti 4:42

Bio:

Finland’s UNKIND’s second album for Relapse ‘Pelon Juuret’ continues in the darkened direction of their Relapse debut.  Furious d-beat hardcore crossed with a highly creative touch of atmospherics—as if Mogwai made a record of Tragedy covers or From Ashes Rise were influenced by Explosions In The Sky.  UNKIND have taken a tried and true formula (pissed off vocals, monster riffs and d-beat drumming) and made it truly their own by refusing to get caught in the trappings of other crust bands and really letting their musicianship and production values shine.  This is a modern day classic of aggressive, intelligent hardcore

Review:

Before I start this review I should mention my Finnish is non-existent, but I’m pretty sure this is one pissed off dude.

Finland’s Unkind play a fast and furious atmospheric take on riff fuelled crust punk and have released by far their best effort with this years’ Pelon Juuret.

The atmospheric touches and textures apparent on tracks such as ‘Valtakunta’ and the fantastic production on this record truly help to differentiate Unkind from the crowd and also allow the songs to breathe in a fashion not often seen on the crustier fringes of the punk and hardcore scene.

This isn’t to say that Unkind have left behind their early roots or the main staple of their sound with the album (tracks such as ‘Vihan Lapset’ come straight from the melodic crust school of thought) and Unkind still pull it off with a ferocity and melodic intellect rivalling From Ashes Rise at their heyday.  With ‘Pelon Juuret’ Unkind have tempered the ferocity with equally stunning slow burners such as the fourth track “Viallinen”

Closing the album with ‘Saattokoti’, a beautiful instrumental piece built on acoustic guitars, Jon Carpenter-esque synths and possibly even a banjo, Unkind prove to be at the forefront of the crust punk progression and with Pelon Juuret have have released one of the best records the genre will see in 2013.

 Words by :  Richard Powley

As ever, show your support to the band by checking them out at the various links.  You can buy this release here in a variety of formats. This record is available everywhere now. Thanks to Becky @ Pioneermusicpress for the hook up

http://www.facebook.com/UnkindHardcore

http://www.unkindband.bandcamp.com/