Back in the year 2000, an album that was relatively mildly received at first, went on to define an entire generation. It might have been Korn‘s debut album that gave birth to nu-metal, but it was Linkin Park‘s debut release Hybrid Theory that caused nu-metal to dominate the musical sphere (in and out of heavy metal) for a number of years. Fellow countrymen Tetrarch have released their sophomore album Unstable, and with the hype generated over the past few months, could this album be responsible for nu-metal hitting the headlines once again?
Well first off I will say that part of the lure of nu-metal circa 2000 was the pop star quality of some of the notable characters (*cough* Fred Durst *cough*) which helped them stick in the mainstream headlines. Tetrarch don’t delve down this path – although they certainly fit the nu-metal aesthetic visually. They do however portray the musical chops to put together a terrific album. Taking all the best parts of nu-metal past (sans the cringe Crazy Town-type), and package it all together in their growing signature modern style.
Listening to Unstable you can quite clearly pick up on the influences that the band members grew up listening to. Trust Me falls somewhere been Korn and Deftones, slow and brooding. Stitch Me Up bounces in the vein of mid career Korn. Negative Noise has the fire and brimstone to rival the best of Iowa stage Slipknot. Vocalist Josh Fore gives an Adema feel when he keeps his vocals clean – like on Pushed Down. But he gives a sterling performance with the dirt too. That mix allows the tracks to flow from the anthemic to destructive spectrum that nu-metal offers, and feel equally as accomplished either way.
This could however make Unstable feel disjointed, like a nu-metal greatest hits mashup. Losing any originality along the way. But it all has an underlying vibe that Tetrarch have injected, keeping it grounded in a particular sound and allowing the album to flow. A particular mention has to go to the work of lead guitarist Diamond Rowe. When a track feels relatively routine and struggles to stand out, a brilliant solo slams forth to really wake the track up. Being a nu-metal album it isn’t littered with solos. But when they hit they are special. Diamond is seriously making a name for herself amongst the modern guitar heroes.
Tetrarch have really matured with their second release Unstable. It’s not easy to be impartial when I grew up on exactly the same music, and nu-metal holds a special place in my baggy pants and chin piercings. However, don’t let nostalgia get in the way of appreciating a terrific album. Tetrarch have taken a giant leap forward here, and continuing like this they’re destined to slay through the metal scene.
Score: 8/10
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