Album review: Uncured – Warpath

There are many facets to Uncured’s sound. The New Jersey quartet label themselves as ‘nu-metalcore’, but there’s everything from U.S. radio rock to guttural death metal going on. Their first full-length, Warpath, does a decent enough job of showcasing the various facets of their band, and in its aggressive, no-holds-barred delivery, it’s certainly one that lives up to its name.

Opening track Bleed Me Dry is a good example. Blasting out of the gates as an anthemic, radio rock meets nu-metal number, everything feels functional if a little formulaic, but things take an unexpectedly welcome turn when frontman Rex Cox’s guttural vocals kick in and combine with a furious rapid-fire breakdown and some huge shredding from guitarist (and Rex’s Brother) Zak. It’s an about-turn that suggests there’s more going on with Uncured than meets the eye.

Elsewhere, the industrial stomp of Fall In Line works well, as does the impressive guitar work on Crucify, while the band’s cover of Nine Inch Nails’ Closer is a potent and uncompromising display of their musical approach. The huge chorus and epic breakdown of Mask Of Sanity, meanwhile, suggests Uncured are at their best when they fully embrace their heavier side.

Warpath isn’t without its flaws. The lyrics are a bit ropey, particularly on Perfect Specimen and Prostitute, while there’s so much going on in 3 Minutes that things feel a little unfocussed. Given this is a debut release, though, it’s fair to expect that greater refinement is well within Uncured’s grasp.

A bolshy and at times brutal demonstration of nu-metalcore in action, Uncured have announced themselves in rigorous fashion here.

Verdict: 3/5

For fans of: Slipknot, Killswitch Engage, Drowning Pool

Warpath is released on February 21 via Conclave