As Everything Unfolds – Ultraviolet
Release Date: 21st April 2023
Label: Long Branch Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Alternative Metal, Melodic Hardcore, Post-Hardcore.
FFO: Spiritbox, Being as An Ocean, Holding Absence.
Review By: Mark Waight
Ultraviolet is the highly anticipated second album from unique modern alternative metal band As Everything Unfolds, who offer more than just a twist to their repertoire with this fabulous genre busting release. Ultraviolet really has got something for everyone as it constantly deviates between simmering hot to burning brightly throughout, whilst unknowingly As Everything Unfolds slowly draw you in to their world and leave you begging for more.
As Everything Unfolds are Charlie Rolfe (vocals), Adam Kerr (Guitar), George Hunt (bass), Jon Cass (synth) and Jamie Gowers (drums).
Title track Ultraviolet is an in your face modern metal banger, with a heady mix of clean and brutal vocals blended with a very heavy bass. It opens this album up perfectly, delivering a buoyant mix of thick riffage and stomping grooves to get you psyched for what’s to come.
Felt Like Home has such a fabulous futuristic synth sound that it would fit in equally as well in a glow stick waving dance club as it would any metal venue. This fully indicates the wide audience appeal As Everything unfolds have.
Slow Down also makes a big use of the synth sound, but this time to deliver a much meatier track with a much more brutal kick to it! The more traditional sound of Saint Or Rogue moves between fast and slow, guitar and bass, clean and brutal in a seamless show of pure nectar for the ears.
Blossom is a deliciously sweet number with a dreamy display of As Everything Unfolds softer side without ever moving too far away from their darker and punchier side. Infrared is an instrumental interlude which serves to differentiate between the first and the second half of the album. Listen on and all will become clear.
Flat out track Flip Side is a high-speed, brutal number which will not only raise your pulse but is also guaranteed to loosen you up and get you moving. Twilight is another up-tempo ear blasting tune that will now have you fully aware of what direction As Everything Unfolds are going with this album and should have you beaming with pure joy! The balance of alternative melodies and scorching vocals from Charlie Rolfe really give this track a huge anthemic quality.
Rose Bouquets is probably my favourite track on Ultraviolet as there is just so much depth to the music, it is an absolute pleasure to listen too. Stunning melodies, grooving rhythms and well woven synth work make this track an absolute highlight! Daylight is the most vocally outstanding song of the album, however, a track that will just leave you in awe of Charlie Rolfe’s skill and ability to put so much emotion out there for all to hear and appreciate. It’s hard not to be totally drawn in by the warmth in her vocal on this track.
Things are brought nicely to a close with All I’ve Ever Known, which is an upbeat rock/pop number with an even wider field of appeal that could bring some success in the mainstream charts given some warranted airtime.
I have been a fan of As Everything Unfolds since their first album Within Each Lies the Other, so it should come as no surprise to you that I already had Ultraviolet on pre-order even before I was asked to do this review. For me, Ultraviolet is an album of two halves or perhaps more accurately four quarters, each of which showcases the superb musical capabilities of As Everything Unfolds to clearly demonstrate that they deserve much more than to be pigeonholed into any one genre or category. Modern metal is very much alive and kicking currently, with bands such As Everything Unfolds having plenty to offer metal fans around the world with their vibrant variety to what was once a very niche market. The future is bright, the future is Ultraviolet!
(4 / 5)
