The Unguided - Fragile Immortality
Napalm Records
Alternative/Melodic Death Metal
11 songs (46'41'')
Release year: 2014
Napalm Records
Reviewed by Jared

After Richard and Roger Sjunnesson’s departure from Sonic Syndicate, The Unguided emerged in 2010. Prior to this album, I had heard Sonic Syndicate here and there, but their music never took a tight grasp. Perhaps it was too modern and alternative sounding for my taste, so there was a great hope for my first exposure to The Unguided would be different.

Hardly being deemed the “melodic death metal” it claims to be, the album is more alternative, metalcore, and mainstream sounding overall. The opener, Inception, begins with some basic sounding synthesizers to keep the song rolling. It is a sound that was difficult to really like, but for modern metal fans, this album could hold something special. Guitar solos located throughout are actually pretty solid such as in the following track Defecter DCXVI, but the simplicity and more alternative sound just couldn’t sell it completely for me.

The sound of the music has a very electronic feel mostly throughout. Difficult this album was to like for me, but I found myself bobbing my head to the track Unguided Entity and quite enjoying the catchy vocal performance. Hell, even the rocking solo had a moment, but the general radio friendly vibe was an obvious turnoff. The synths coat the album with a pop sounding feel in just about every tune, which may make anyone grow tired of it quick, but it’s not fair to say that is how this album would be looked at the same by all to put it nicely.

Hoping to find something special in Fragile Immortality, it was let down. The modern sound and overall pop feel just made it difficult for any sort of positive feelings. This album will probably see a lot of attention, especially from some old Sonic Syndicate fans, but it tailors to the most mainstream touch.

Killing Songs :
Unguided Entity
Jared quoted 55 / 100
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