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The Unity: Rise
The Unity - Rise Music Review

The Unity: Rise

Melodic Heavy Metal Rock
4.0/5.0

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SPV/Steamhammer
Released: 14.09.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 12.09.2018

On the strength of a well-received debut album and numerous festival appearances, the German-Italian collective The Unity found both favor and success among their peers and fans alike. Though not entirely surprised, the band relaxed with their laurels. But when Axel Rudi Pell called inviting them to tour with him in the Fall, The Unity had to react quickly. The band, featuring members of Gamma Ray and Love.Might.Kill, needed to get back in the studio and quickly drop another album. The result is Rise, once more for SPV/Steamhammer Records.

The Unity Band Photo Click For Larger Image

The Unity

Without being dismissive, Rise is a familiar and repetitive sequel to their debut album. Blending elements of familiar genres, The Unity delivers another platter of melodic heavy metal rock, with a side helping of power metal. The similarity is so self-evident, I can simply cite myself: "... think less Gamma Ray power metal and more Love.Might.Kill.'s melodic heavy metal with a hard rock groove. Most every song her bristles with bold and brisk riffage and a tight rhythm section delivering both heaviness and brisk pacing. Then those same songs are salted with powerful guitar solos."

You can add to this formula, Gianba Manenti's assertive and bold vocals, Sascha Onnen's synth embellishments, an abundance of heavy melodies, and more than a few catchy choruses. After this, perhaps the last thing to say is, you get your money's worth: 13 songs over 57 minutes. On the power metal side look to the opener Revenge and then later with Children Of The Light. Otherwise most everything else reflects The Unity's melodic heavy metal rock including The Storm, Welcome Home, L.I.F.E., and Above Everything. For some slight twists you have The Willow Tree, something of a heavy ballad, and All That Is Real, which has true AOR arena accessibility. The latter was easily my favorite song here. Basically, if you liked The Unity's debut album, you will easily enjoy the new Rise. Recommended.



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The Bottom Line

Without being dismissive, Rise is a familiar and repetitive sequel to their debut album. Blending elements of familiar genres, The Unity delivers another platter of melodic heavy metal rock, with a side helping of power metal.

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