Rap metal and nu-metal was a pretty big part of the musical landscape in the late 90s and early 2000s, but it seemed to fade out just as quickly as movie soundtracks and popular culture shifted over towards other styles of rock and metal. For a period of time it seemed like only the biggest names in the genre still had decent success, while everyone else was relegated to true underground status. But like a lot of music, things have proven cyclical and with a younger generation of listeners these two genres have come back in a big way. Not only have there been resurgences from established artists, but you’ve also had newcomers putting their own spin on things and presenting it for today’s audience. UnityTX is a great example, as they emerged in 2014 as a fusion of metalcore, hardcore, nu-metal, and rap metal but combined everything in ways that didn’t feel the same as in decades past. On their second full length Somewhere, In Between... the group has streamlined their sound, focusing more on short bursts of metal and hip-hop while still shaking things up from track to track. It does have a few moments that feel too short and fly by without fully leaving an impact, but when UnityTX hits that peak level of genre fusion they have heavy grooves and hip-hop flows that will get stuck in your head.
Some of the group’s previous EP’s explored hardcore and metalcore, and while there are still a few songs that head into this territory the focus on Somewhere, In Between… is more on nu-metal/rap metal and darker hip-hop. From the instrumental side this means you get plenty of heavy grooves and beats that explode out of your speakers. On the metal end of the spectrum early cuts like “Heinous” and “Paranoia” perfectly capture that early 2000s sound without coming off as dated, and as you get pummeled by the chugs and squeals you’ll also find that some of these riffs stick with you over repeat listen. Tracks like “Body Roc” and “Ready 2 Die Pt. 2” strip out the metallic sheen in favor of booming beats and darker melodies that flow seamlessly with the other material and give listeners some shorter bursts. It’s an interesting mixture, as the heavier sections remind me of the very underrated 3rd Strike at certain points, while the beats give off a more metal sounding Cypress Hill or even some of Necro’s darker aesthetic. But the way it’s all brought together has unique qualities, and UnityTX is able to hit hard and fast. What does hold this album back a bit though is its expanded track list compared to Ferality, as its fourteen tracks fly by quickly but the brevity doesn’t always work to their advantage. Some of them come and go without being given enough time to fully grab you, while others feel a bit too streamlined and repeat too often for their short run.
One of the elements I like the most about Somewhere, In Between… is how seamlessly the vocals flow from rapping to much harsher screams and growls. “Sabotage” spends much of its short run focused on the rapping, but right at the end you get a scream that’d easily get a pit going at a live show. But it’s songs like “Heinous” where UnityTX best showcases how they bring all these elements together, as you get rapping, screams, growls, and everything in between. Even the rapping switches in style over the course of the track, moving from smoother flows to more abrasive ones. The cadence also gives off Cypress Hill vibes at certain points, but there’s a lot of variety that pushes UnityTX into a category of their own. For the most part the focus is entirely on front man Jay Webster, but “Inside Out” features a guest spot from House of Protection which adds even more of a metallic edge to that song.
UnityTX’s sophomore full length finds them exploring a more concentrated version of their sound, going for more concise attacks that are free to move between metal and hip-hop at any given moment. The shorter track lengths do sometimes feel a bit too short and there are some repetitive moments with the streamlined structures, yet that doesn’t dull too much of the impact this album has. As someone that grew up with nu-metal in those pivotal middle school to high school years alongside the more rock oriented hip-hop that was on radio at the same time, this band is capturing that same vibe in a way that feels nostalgic but fresh at the same time. Somewhere, In Between… is available from Pure Noise Records.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg