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\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While output has been sporadic, recent years have shown more activity from the band. Under the Bright Sadness<\/em> is the first full-length from the band since 2014\u2019s A Human Comedy<\/em>. Lead vocalist Stephen Mark Sarro\u2019s 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The album opens with a lengthy and mostly instrumental track, \u201cPassage I: The Harrowing of Hell,\u201d 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\u2019s to come. Next up is \u201cPsalmnambulist.\u201d 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 \u201cpsalm\u201d (a hymn or praise song) and \u201csomnambulism\u201d (sleepwalking)\u2014a clever play on words. This one reaches over nine minutes in length!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHouseholds of a Cosmic War\u201d is an ode to marital love that juxtaposes down-tuned riffs and Sarro\u2019s 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. \u201cSong of Seven Pillars\u201d picks up the pace almost (but not quite) to a thrash pace, or at least to a groove metal tempo. So far, it\u2019s the most straight-forward heavy metal song on the album. The lyrics draw deeply from the wisdom of Proverbs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not reprove a scoffer or he will hate you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reprove a wise man and he will love you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And the knowledge of the Holy One is true insight.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPassage II: Womb Waker\u201d is a short, ambient instrumental track that serves to introduce the next section of the record. It leads up to the up-tempo \u201cDevils Blessed by the Rising Sun\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLast Rites for Lesser Magick\u201d begins with a lengthy spoken word piece, ironically heralding the virtues of selfishness. The song\u2019s 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\u2019s one of the heavier song on the album, and is played in a challenging 3\/8 time signature with some almost mosh-worthy parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPassage III: Grief Garden\u201d 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 \u201cThe Orb Was Only Dust,\u201d and atmospheric, mid-tempo tune that follows on nicely from \u201cPassage III.\u201d Metallic riffs bounce off of Sarro\u2019s high-pitched croon. Rather than a chorus, in its place is a section of melodic guitar leads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPassage IV: Time Removed\u201d 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, \u201cLamps of Vision\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, this is a great album and a true return to form for Unteachers. Let\u2019s hope that it also means a return to live performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our rating: 4 out of 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n