Album Review: Unknown Refuge – From the Darkness (Self Released)

Teenage rock/metal act Unknown Refuge are set to self-release their anticipated debut album ‘From the Darkness’ on 26th March 2021.

Four years in the making, this 10-track long player shows the progression, influences, and journey of Unknown Refuge over the last four years since forming the band at the age of 14/15. As young people living in Bolton, England during a worldwide pandemic; ‘From The Darkness’ tells the evolution of a songwriter’s life growing up as a teenager, the personal interests during those years as well as capturing some of the struggles faced while growing up in the digital age of expression.

Young and talented, Unknown Refuge may be about to burst forth from the underground rock and metal scene. They just need forward momentum and From the Darkness looks to the be the rocket to send them spiralling into the stratosphere. Especially when the first proper taste (the title track is a short, mellow intro) of their sound is jam-packed with energetic riffing, tons of groove, a kick-ass chorus and one hell of a guitar solo.

Now that is how you make an instant impact. Can Unknown Refuge keep it up?

Of course, they can. As Kicked to the Floor’s heavier but animated beat (classy drumming) excites the senses. Battle Hymn is a punchy number with twanging groove and sharper sounding riffing. Shadows though, there’s a punchy head-banger if there ever was one and easily one of the album’s highlights. Which says a lot as this is an album filled with highlights.

It’s an awesome effort but there’s still much more to come. The riffs coming roaring back into full view for the rocking Palace Walls (the vocals are so good) and the enigmatic foot-tapping quality of Wall of Lies. If either of these tracks fail to put a smile on the face, it’s probably you because it’s certainly not Unknown Refuge.

More smile-inducing rock hits make up the latter part of the album. If the Gods Be Good and I’m Not A Bad Guy. The former’s guitar solo is a proper ‘horns up’ moment whereas the latter has a more out of control aggressive touch. Before this phenomenal release wraps up with Journey. Where Unknown Refuge close the door with a mighty slab of riff-heavy groove.

Up there with one of the best debut releases heard this year.

Unknown Refuge – From the Darkness Full Track Listing:

1. From the Darkness
2. To the Light
3. Kicked to the Floor
4. Battle Hymn
5. Shadows
6. Palace Walls
7. Wall of Lies
8. If the Gods Be Good
9. I’m Not A Bad Guy
10. Journey

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