Photo By Adrenaline PR

Unearth

Thursday · Mad Hatter

Underground Metalcore quintet Unearth is one of the rare extreme bands that can seamlessly blend the melodic precision of Prog, the pummeling sonic density of Metal, the punishing vocal howl/growl and double-clutched hammer-and-tong drumming of Death Metal, the ferocity of Hardcore and the political outrage of Punk. The band formed from disenchanted members of Second Division and Point 04 in the decidedly un-Metalcore locale of Winthrop, Mass., in 1998 and quickly found an eager audience in the Boston area.

The following year, Unearth -- at this point comprised of vocalist Trevor Phipps, guitarists Ken Susi and Buz McGrath, bassist Chris Rybicki and drummer Mike Rudberg -- released their debut EP, Above the Fall of Man, on Endless Fight Records. After two years of relentless gigging locally and touring nationally, Unearth came to the attention of Eulogy Recordings, who signed them and released The Stings of Conscience in 2001. After another full slate of touring across the U.S., Canada and Europe, the band convened in 2002 to assemble their next release, Endless, but in the midst of recording Rybicki abruptly left the band, and was replaced by John Maggard. After the release of Endless, Unearth played a South by Southwest showcase date in March of 2003 where, for reasons known only to him, Rudberg played the show naked. He left the band the following day and was temporarily replaced by Sworn Enemy's Paulie Antignie.

Just as unexpectedly, Buz McGrath bowed out of the band the same day for a brief period due to personal issues, although he returned a short time later. In 2004, Red Chord's Mike Justian was installed as the new permanent drummer and Unearth unleashed their debut for Metal Blade, The Oncoming Storm, just in time for their high-profile appearance on MTV's Headbangers Ball Tour with Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and Lamb of God, followed by a plum opening slot on the Slipknot tour. After another long year of touring, Unearth began work on their fourth album, III: In the Eyes of Fire, which they recorded in Seattle with famed producer Terry Date (Soundgarden, White Zombie, Pantera, among many others). The album was released last August on the heels of Unearth's second successful Ozzfest appearance, which was followed by their headlining Sanctity of Brothers tour, featuring Bleeding Through and Terror. The new year finds Unearth on one of the highest profile tours of their nearly 10-year history, as they hit the road with the iconic Slayer. Brutal doesn't begin to describe this pairing. (Brian Baker)

UNIQUE CHIQUE WITH JUNIOR REVOLUTION AND VOYAGEUR

Saturday · The Poison Room

Hailing from the delightful bastion of musical prowess known as Chicago, Ill., Unique Chique integrates myriad influences to construct an intricate, harmonizing musical atmosphere. The quartet formed in 2001 and released their first CD, It Never Fails Forever, on Alarm Clock Records in 2005.

Their latest EP, Ethica, is strongly supported by exceptional guitar melodies that beautifully bounce off of each other in a cascading motion. The sporadic but cohesive guitar work is reminiscent of a couple of other pioneering bands of the Midwest, namely Cap N' Jazz and its successor Owls. The influence of the Kinsella brothers is evident as the guitars of Ethica continually sound as if they are shooting off in different directions, but are then awesomely reeled back in by the rhythmic drums and bass. The vocals succeed in accentuating the at times erratic (in a positive sense) nature of the music, but the meticulous guitar harmonies, most notably in the brilliant track "Long Dead Naomi," are the driving force of Unique Chique and help fluidly carry each song into the next.

The group is taking their Pop sensibility on the road for the first time and have the pleasure of commiserating in Cincinnati with local trio Junior Revolution. In a perfect world, Unique Chique and Junior Revolution would meld together to form a supergroup, thus creating an outstanding reservoir of melodic capabilities that would go unparalleled. Junior Revolution has established itself within Cincinnati through not only their striking, pretty-boy looks but also their knack for creating well-crafted, involved Pop songs. Putting both of these outfits on one stage should make for a pleasant evening of sipping on adult beverages and marveling at a whirlwind of melodious guitar duels and vocal harmonies. With all of this in mind, I have to ask the question: Why wouldn't you want to go? (Kevin Warwick)

HOTPIPES WITH THE FEATURES AND THE TURNBULL AC'S

Saturday · Southgate House

Photo By Hotpipes

Hotpipes

The Nashville-based band Hotpipes' music is predetermined falling. In every note, from singer Jon Rogers' propulsive yet constrained melodies to drummer Dan Sommers' laser-precise, hiccup-y beats, there is a welcomed loss of control. It's as if the five members mastered the basics and then let Providence dictate the rest. It's a formula they came by honestly, according to guitarist Justin Hall.

"We used to all take part in the songwriting and then we'd try to build from there; it would come out sounding like 15 completely different songs by 15 different bands," he says. "Now that we've kind of let Jon take the reins it's much more cohesive. We found a sound."

And that sound is big. Every track on the band's most recent eponymous release has elements of a true Rock ballad, with expansive vocals and soaring guitars that have the potential to rocket straight through the roof. Yet a chilly sadness reflected in the rhythms and overall style reins in the chaos, rendering heartbreaking simplicity from start to finish. A stripped-down method of recording enables a right-there-in-the-room feeling for listeners, pushing important elements to the back of the song and inviting the ear to follow less obvious hooks to the heart -- rather than serving it all up front. Thanks goes, as well, to the fiery, no-bullshit subject matter on tracks like the darkly accusatory "Women of the World," which make it easy for the mind to attach individual meaning, like flagging landmarks through a maze ... just in case.

The band is excited about some recent positive reactions to the music (including play on woxy.com) and has scheduled a four-date, multi-city CD tour, which brings them to the Southgate House Saturday, where they are joined by some of Cincy's best-loved rockers, The Turnbull AC's, and their Tennessee buddies, The Features. (Hannah Roberts)