Courtesy of Pharaoh Recording Studios, ‘Vanishing Point’ is the debut album from Connecticut, US heavy metal band, Unknown.
Founded 2020, this heavy quartet bring you 9 tracks of traditional and modern thrash, in the style of such classic bands as Jag Panzer, Manilla Road, Iron Maiden, Razor and numerous others.
Unknown is: Matt Fisher (vocals), Bob Beyer (guitars), Aamir Sayed (guitar/bass) and Jordan Rippe (drums).
Prelude – Smooth melodic riff intro. Strong anthemic style. Effective instrumental. Brief, but the music says all it needs to.
The Bastard King – Dark echoes open. Then unleashing a metal storm. Again, very melodic. Morphing into death style vocals, alongside the leads. There’s grit and obvious passion. Drums rolling on, aptly, as the vocal extremity closes.
Vanishing Point – A tasty steel string intro leads into a much more powerful refrain. Well handled flat tones. Class metal riffage. Great rhythm. Accessible hooks. It’s that riff rhythm that carries it along. Drum beats outline the bridge, before it moves into a darker, suggestive quiescence, prior to speeding and lifting it up, again. Faster drum roll rhythms, towards the end, finishing off with a delicious fluid riff.
Mission No. 84 – Banging opening. Straight into the feel. This is very Maiden-esque. Intensifying it, from there. More catchy hooks in the chorus. Here, the vocals really pick up, gathering strength. Slight flat riff tone, around the bridge, but it’s generally precise. Building the tension, with that closing drum roll, evocatively delivered.
Fury – Great sliding, searing riff opening. Drums a bit tighter here. Death growls follow. Melody overtakes, soon after. It’s a good stylistic balance. Well displayed scales. Riffage climbing higher. Drums evoking burning fire. Well impressive final power scream, hitting those ascending notes with peak precision.
The Prophet’s Hair – Curious watery sound effects intro. Into a gentler, but still poignant acoustic guitar section, equally matched by softer vocals. Another brief stream-like sound, then into a full on metal refrain. Smooth segue. A little more physical. Gentle vocals alternate with heavier tones. It’s that rising, soaring riff connecting bridge that stands out here. Again, building it up, percussively, gaining speed, with a smooth flowing riff section. Utilising a touch of reverb, with a plane, flying into the distance. Soft vocals returning, with acoustic tones, at the end.
Where Men Find Glory – Blasting out the intro, with no hesitation. One or two awkward, but deftly handled riff tones, touching on tremolo. Very decent vocals. Plenty of melody. Colourful riffage. Very telling lyrics. Audible passion and conviction. Lots of rhythmic and melodic focus. Again, it climbs up those scales well. Vocals always clear. It stands up well, with an easily evocative atmosphere. Good definitive drum roll, closing.
Road Of Light – Sharp, fragile riff tones open, with surrounding fluidity. Shimmering cymbal hits add a beautiful flourish. A more contemplative track. Gorgeous, screaming riffage you could happily drown in). Drums gathering pace. Such touching lyrics. Very emotive. Just holding back the accompaniments, slightly, before the reflective end.
Overall – A beautifully delivered album, featuring equally beautiful sentiment and profundity, ‘Vanishing Point’ conveys its messages well. Impossible not to be touched by it. Flowing fluidly, throughout, showcasing the interplay of light and dark, heavy and soft, it’s a metallic offering, with comforting threads sown throughout.
9/10 *********
For fans of March In Arms, Soldierfield, Just Before Dawn.
http://www.pharaohrecordingstudios.com
https://www.facebook.com/unknownofficialmetal
https://unknownmetalct.bandcamp.com/releases
Rock Queen Reviews 
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