Review: Unteachers – Under Bright Sadness
Alternative metal band Unteachers has been around since the early 2010s, with roots in the band Tantrum of the Muse. Whereas TOTM deliberately pushed lyrical (and musical) boundaries in order to push people’s buttons, Unteachers have gone in a more focused direction. Still pushing musical boundaries, these days the lyrics have a clearer focus on the Gospel, over controversy or confusing stances.
While output has been sporadic, recent years have shown more activity from the band. Under the Bright Sadness is the first full-length from the band since 2014’s A Human Comedy. Lead vocalist Stephen Mark Sarro’s voice is an unusual one for this type of metal. Higher-pitched than most, yet nowhere near the tenor wails of traditional metal, it gives Unteachers a creative edge, in that I can’t think of any other heavy band that sounds quite like this. The other band member is Rick Wise, also formerly of Tantrum of the Muse, but he has also played in punk rock band Huntingtons.
The album opens with a lengthy and mostly instrumental track, “Passage I: The Harrowing of Hell,” which is heavy, dark, and ominous. It is nearly seven minutes long, and features heavy riffs reminiscent of In Vain, Times of Grace, or even Neurosis over laying a cacophony of crow feedback and a scripture reading. The track sets the stage brilliantly for what’s to come. Next up is “Psalmnambulist.” Lyrically, the songserves as warning to people who claim faith, yet are in compromise with the world. The song title is a pun/portmanteau of the words “psalm” (a hymn or praise song) and “somnambulism” (sleepwalking)—a clever play on words. This one reaches over nine minutes in length!
“Households of a Cosmic War” is an ode to marital love that juxtaposes down-tuned riffs and Sarro’s high-pitched vocals, both of which play off of each other nicely. The song fits nicely in the NWOAHM vibe with elements of modern stoner metal and alternative, equally culling the heaviest parts of Smashing Pumpkins but also bands like Torche, Red Fang and so forth. “Song of Seven Pillars” picks up the pace almost (but not quite) to a thrash pace, or at least to a groove metal tempo. So far, it’s the most straight-forward heavy metal song on the album. The lyrics draw deeply from the wisdom of Proverbs:
Do not reprove a scoffer or he will hate you.
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.
And the knowledge of the Holy One is true insight.
“Passage II: Womb Waker” is a short, ambient instrumental track that serves to introduce the next section of the record. It leads up to the up-tempo “Devils Blessed by the Rising Sun” with its angular riffs reminiscent of punk/post-hardcore (think Ninety Pound Wuss or Roadside Monument). The tune uses some middle-eastern flavored scales to great effect. The two tracks together serve as a one-two punch regarding the sanctity of life.
“Last Rites for Lesser Magick” begins with a lengthy spoken word piece, ironically heralding the virtues of selfishness. The song’s title says it all though, when it comes to that particular worldview. The track is heavy and punishing, with a mesmerizing, repetitive riff that soaks into your brain. It’s one of the heavier song on the album, and is played in a challenging 3/8 time signature with some almost mosh-worthy parts.
“Passage III: Grief Garden” is another slower, instrumental track with a spoken word intro about Christmas. The tune evokes images of grieving a lost loved one, who used to be present at family holidays, and is a beautiful tribute to the deep pain of such a loss. Up next is “The Orb Was Only Dust,” and atmospheric, mid-tempo tune that follows on nicely from “Passage III.” Metallic riffs bounce off of Sarro’s high-pitched croon. Rather than a chorus, in its place is a section of melodic guitar leads.
“Passage IV: Time Removed” is a haunting tune featuring only piano and voice. It continues the theme of grief, and yet finds grace within the longing and pain through the hope of a reunion in glory. The final track, “Lamps of Vision” starts off mellow, with a Euro-folk or even New Age feel (musically speaking, not the ideology). It could be a track from Iona or Clannad, but it gets heavy later on. The track is a song written as an address to the children of the one grieving, expressing the wishes of how they should live as they too eventually will pass on. The song builds continuously, eventually reaching a thrash pace, and reaches over 11 minutes long.
Overall, this is a great album and a true return to form for Unteachers. Let’s hope that it also means a return to live performances.
Our rating: 4 out of 5
The album can be order via Bandcamp here: Under Bright Sadness | UNTEACHERS
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