Album Review: Unfold – Banshee O Beast (Division Records)

Banshee O Beast is the fourth album from the Swiss five-piece monstrosity that is Unfold. Due to health issues the usual vocalist wasn’t able to record vocals for this album so a guest vocalist (Louis Jucker – Coilguns, Autisti) stood in. The album is out on October 13th 2017 via Division Records.

Having heard nothing by Unfold beforehand the change of vocalist has no effect on me. I didn’t know what they sounded like before this album so have nothing to say regarding the differences.

There’s a really exciting modern sound to Banshee O Beast. An album that is very difficult to categorise seeing as it has fingers in hardcore, post rock & metal. Regardless, Banshee O Beast does have one thing that everyone can agree on. A downright ugly attitude.

The sense of urgency that exists throughout the album makes the heart beat that little bit faster. Tracks like Honor the Traitors & Cursed Commanders have such a intense style with fast tempos & a underline darkness throughout that isn’t often at the forefront.

For all the aggression on show there is some noticeable shifts in tempo that moistens the throat making it far easier to swallow. As well, the likes of They Had Wolves in Their Eyes and Knives in Their Mourths break up the bruising hardcore with dark ethereal trips.

However, where Unfold excel is when they’re just letting rip & throwing their all into delivering a burning hot slice of angry modern hardcore. The best song on the album; Night Ride, Death Touch does this with ease. That it’s also the longest track at near 7 minutes long is even more impressive. The vocals are sublime here, screaming & screeching with such intensity that they sound inhuman.

A captivating track.

After that you might like to take a step back & process what you just heard but Unfold have no interest in giving you a break. Instead they bring two short & hook-heavy tracks that hark back to a wildness long forgotten before finishing off with  Havoc Assemble. Spacey sounds that have a haunting edge flows into a thumpingly heavy beat played at a slower pace giving it a really nasty & blood-curdled sound.

Damn, this is a good album. Inventive, inspired & in your face. Modern hardcore that leans towards the darker side of metal.

Unfold – Banshee O Beast Full Track Listing:

1. Honor the Traitors
2. Admirals Dissono
3. Cursed Commanders
4. Hex Heyday
5. They Had Wolves in Their Eyes and Knives in Their Mouths
6. Night Ride, Death Touch
7. Aussitôt Dit, Aussitôt Mort
8. Felony Works
9. Havoc Assemble

Head over to Unfold’s Bandcamp where you will be able to pick up the album. You can also order the Vinyl edition here and the CD version here. Want to keep up to date with Unfold related news? Like their Facebook Page & follow them on Instagram. You can also find out more about Division Records on Facebook too.