Portland’s stalwart stallions of sadness ride again with a sensible serving of goth-metal goodness.

Unto Others is a dark phoenix that rose from the ashes of Spellcaster which started as more of a classic American speed metal band that gave way to more melodic and melancholic sounds before coming to an unfortunate end. Three of the remaining members rallied together and formed the genesis of what would become Unto Others in 2017.

This new project was originally known as “Idle Hands” before a trademark dispute forced a name change in 2020. Now they travel even further in the direction initially paved by the final Spellcaster album Night Hides The World: old-school metal with a dark, melodic coating of gothic/death rock influences and lyricism. It’s heavy music for a metalheads that feel isolated, confused, or completely broken. Unto Others‘ music is a portal to youthful anger and resentment that can only be opened when outsiders write music for fellow outsiders.

After two strong full-length albums and a few EPs, the band is back with an interesting release that is sure to delight highly-invested fans who loved 2021’s “Strength“.

REVIEW:

“Strength II … Deep Cuts” first released as a limited pressing for Record Store Day in November of 2022 and is now widely available. The album is unique in the way that it treats the EP format. This release isn’t just an “extended play.” It can also be considered an “expansion pack” to the original Strength album itself (shout-out to the old-school gamers who get that reference.) The songs on this release were recorded during the studio sessions for Strength and according to frontman Gabriel Franco, that album was originally meant to be a double LP release. The sides of the vinyl release of this EP are even labeled “Side C” and “Side D” to hammer home this concept. Let’s dive into the tracks themselves and see if Strength II actually makes the original full-length release stronger.

Side C:

1. Sailing in the Darkness starts off the EP in a big way by immediately fulfilling a promise. You can tell right off the bat that this is more of Strength and this track could have easily kicked off the original album. Pounding percussion kicks things off followed by the mournful vocals from Gabriel Franco’s full-bodied lower register. Once the song kicks into full gear with powerful guitars you will feel right at home if you’ve formed an attachment to this band, and it doesn’t let up from that point.

2. The Fire of Youth brings out some Smiths inspiration with a driving, clean, and melodic guitar lick that carries the song. It runs deftly underneath the track with a kind of bouncing quality and clarity that would make Johnny Marr shed a metal tear. This song is a prime example of the appealing dichotomy of Unto Others: the melody and metal musicianship in their songs is a prime breeding ground for inspiration and catharsis, but in this case our pained young narrator wants nothing more than to be left alone. It’s exactly the kind of track that brings the band fans from outside the metal space with its crossover appeal. Heaven will definitely know you’re miserable now.

3. Over Western Shores is the most traditionally “metal” song on this release. Like any good song about sailing, it’s driven by a slow, galloping riff that accompanies our hero’s lonely journey at sea. A short bass interlude that follows the intro carries the message of isolation even further before the guitars return along with those solemn vocals and take us fully into the motion of this very forlorn ocean. This track is what you would hear if Iron Maiden’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner was written to try and break your warrior heart. It makes for a very fitting end to the Strength saga and leaves Side C as a worthy extension of that album’s impact.

Side D:

4. Passion Rules the Game is a fun cover of a track from the classic 1987 Scorpions album Savage Amusement. Unto Others’ strong sonic identity helps keep this cover recognizable while being different enough from its source material to justify its existence. Just like the cover of Pat Benatar’s Hell Is For Children on Strength, it’s a fun way to pay tribute to the quality hook writing of their 80’s influences.

5. Change of Heart (demo) starts off with some promise thanks to a surf guitar-like sound that evokes an aquatic atmosphere. Unfortunately it’s let down by an almost discordant chorus that just doesn’t quite work for me. The song does live up to its demo status by feeling incomplete and it does make sense that this was not fleshed out more. It is better off on the proverbial cutting room floor.

6. When the Hammer Strikes (demo) is very strong for a demo track and wouldn’t need much more work to be developed into something worthy of the band’s next studio outing. It sounds great and would easily have fit into the track list of the main album. You’re immediately greeted with twin guitar harmonies that lead into those heart-wrenching vocals you’ve come to expect. The powerful guitar work continues throughout as our frontman reminds you that “when the hammer strikes, you get what you deserve.” Is that a threat, or a promise? Hopefully a more fleshed out version of the track appears on a future release so listeners can eagerly decide for themselves on repeated spins.

Wrapping Up:

Strength II …Deep Cuts is for the Unto Others fan who didn’t know they wanted more from that album until now. Strength stands so well on its own and was one of my favourite releases of 2021. I usually prefer my albums to be around the standard LP length, but I will happily listen to more of what this band has to offer since the extension to the original work is so seamless. Side C successfully expands on a great album while Side D will satisfy the hardcore completionist’s despite one weaker demo track. If you love metal and have ever felt misunderstood, lost, or alone, Unto Others will make you feel like you’ve been found. With Strength II, this band is still here for you.

THENWOTHM: SCORE 8/10