(UN)WORTHY: This Present Darkness

(Un)worthy
This Present Darkness
(Rottweiler Records)

(Un)worthy burst on the scene with last year’s “Where Light Divides” after a string of
digital singles going back to 2019. I reviewed their debut EP here at Heaven’s Metal a
few months ago and had some very positive things to say about it. How will the band
have advanced since 2023?

For starters, the formula is similar: super heavy deathcore that takes lots of cues from
traditional death metal, including lots of blastbeats. What’s different this time around are
some slower paces (at times bordering on sludge) and some melodic and/or
progressive tendencies.

Interestingly, the mini-album (7 tracks) is a conceptual piece, tracing the story of
someone who is struggling with doubts amidst the pains of life and mental/emotional
health. As such, it reminds me—at least lyrically and conceptually—of Seventh Angel’s
“Lament for the Weary” album, from that perspective of being open and upfront about
struggles with faith.

Things start off with “Forsaken by God,” which features guest vocals by Connor Luttig of
labelmates Voluntary Mortification. The song creates a double entendre—juxtaposing
Jesus’s prayer on the cross “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” with the
same thoughts from an individual struggling to find God amidst the struggles of this life.
It’s lyrically very effective as it traces the reality of lament back to the Son of God
himself. The track is slow and heavy for the most part with some thrashy parts built in
as well.

“This Present Darkness” sees our character (in 1 st person narrator) sinking deeper into
despair, asking for death. Meanwhile trying to fake it to others:

A smile on my face
Hides the pain
Inside I feign happiness
But I wish I would die

This is heavy stuff, both musically and lyrically. While it may sit uncomfortably with
many of us, I daresay we all know someone—or perhaps we’ve been that person—who
has felt this way.

When they are at their lowest, the adversary comes in to convince our character to give
up. So goes the song “Satan Whispers,” which is reminiscent of the story of Job and
the counsel given by Job’s wife and his so-called friends. The track is definitely the low-
point of the narrative:

Can’t you see your God doesn’t love you

Because you’ve strayed from Him too far
And no one here on earth will ever love you
Once they all discover who you are

Again, this is uncomfortable stuff, but aimed right at exposing the lies of our spiritual
enemy! “The Psalm of Lament” comes next. Clocking in at a minute and a half, the
track quotes directly from Psalm 42, and serves as the turning point of the story.
“This Too Shall Pass” gives away its meaning in the title, and features guest vocalist Joe
Holt (of HolyName). The track serves as a prayer of submission, repentance, and true
contemplation from our narrator:

If I can’t find solace in life
Then eternity will provide relief
Lord, please increase my faith
I believe, help my unbelief

Like so many of the Psalms, “This Present Darkness” follows the pattern of lament,
return to the Lord, resolve to trust. Track 6, “The Spirit Speaks” sees our narrator
stepping out of the darkness and into the light.

I’ve heard the Spirit speak
He calls me by my name
I wasn’t listening
And I’m the one to blame
I heard His voice in my darkest moment
“I don’t love you based on what you’ve done”
“I love you because you are my child”
“You will forever be my son”
“You will forever be my son”

Wow, don’t we all need to be reminded of that Gospel truth! And it doesn’t hurt that it’s
coming to us in a crushingly heavy death metal/deathcore song.

The album ends with “The Journey Home,” which is not about death but about the
return of our character into full fellowship with the Father.

Like a child separated from his Father
We are like sheep that have gone astray
Traversing this path of darkness
We are lost and can’t find our way

If there was any worry that (Un)worthy couldn’t live up to the hype of their debut, “This
Present Darkness” settles all fears. If anything, it’s probably surpassed the debut with
its narrative, conceptual storyline, as well as the increased diversity of sounds, yet
without losing any of the sheer brutality.

4 out of 5 stars.

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