Search - Chariot :: Unsung

Wow

Erk | Arkansas | 12/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You wouldn't think 6 songs in 16 minutes would be worth 9.99 at Best Buy would you?



Well it is!



I got this today and immediatly popped it into my car stereo. Yanni Depp blasted through my speakers. What a great sound! I liked the raw rock sound in their debut album, but wow! This is some awesome production and makes The Chariot sound really awesome. Even though there's a new drummer and they are minus a guitarist, I think it still has a punch you in the gut sound still. The drummer hasn't disappointed me. In fact I never knew there was a new drummer until I read the other reviews.



The new recordings are excellent. I have no complaints. No feedback in any of the songs, but you know thats a plus sometimes. Haha.



I recommend you get this if you're a hardcore Chariot fan. If you don't have any of thier material, I recommend you get their first one first to get a taste of thier old sound and then compare it to their new. Which in my opinion is great."

Don't Call it a Comeback

Zikony | Orlando, FL | 12/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well the Chariot are back kiddies! This time with studio quality songs, 4 re-worked versions from their debut LP "Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing, Nothing is Dead, Nothing is Bleeding", and 2 new songs, Yanni Depp and Kenny Gibler.



Upon first listen, its evident that the departure of former drummer Jeff Carter (now of Deus Invictus) really hurt the bands aggressive sound, as his drumming style was unique, frantic and dynamic. Their new drummer is noticeably a lot more tame on the set and as a result comes up as rather lame, especially in comparison to his predecessor. Not to say that the new drummer is bad, he is a pretty average drummer who manages to keep the songs together and the flow going.



The re-worked versions of the older songs are a big different also due to the fact that there is only one guitarist now instead of two, so the extra influence is gone. This proves to be both a blessing and a curse as part of th reason of the Chariot's great crushing sound was Tony "Taco" Medina's guitar attack, but Keller's solo influence allowed him to make the amazing steller and powerful song "Kenny Gibler", a song which I wish the Chariot would make more songs that sound like (which is the only reason this EP gets 4 stars instead of 3, that song absolutely kills).



Yanni Depp, on the other hand, sounded like they purposely mocked Norma Jean's new sound (just listen to "O' God, The Aftermath" and you'll see what I mean) with a little influence from Fear Before the March of Flames).



All in all, its a solid effort from Georgia's rowdiest Christian hardcore band, a good amount of diversity in these 6 tracks. I have to admit, upon first listen i wasnt too impressed, but it is starting to grow on me for sure. And its a lot better than that steaming pile of C.RAP that Norma Jean put out last year (see above)."

They're Back, And Brutal As Ever

LeftManOut | TheCityThatNeverSleeps, FL | 12/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Chariot's new Ep, appropriately entitled "Unsung", is exactly what you would expect from the band. However upon first listen, you will most likely notice a lot of difference between this EP and their previous full length "Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing, Nothing Is Dead, Nothing Is Bleeding", most notably the extremely better production. If you couldn't get into the Chariot because of the last album's rough sound and feeling, then "Unsung" will definitely be a surprise to you. Although the Ep only contains two new songs, "Yanni Depp" and "Kenny Gibler", it's still a great treat for Chariot fans who have been wondering how amazing this band would sound if they had better production.



The band re-recorded four of the best song off their last full length for this EP, "Before Atlanta There Was Douglasville", "Goodnight My Lady, And A Forever Fairwell", "Die Interviewer (I'm Only Speaking German)" and "The Company The Comfort And The Grave". When I first heard this I was very excited, because now I would be able to hear how great these songs would have sounded were they in a better recording quality. However don't just think that they are the same old songs from the last album, just in better quality. The songs have changed considerably. The most notable thing about the songs, is the absence of second guitarist Tony Medina. This leaves Keller Harbin to handle all the guitar duties here, which takes a considerable toll on classics like "Before There Was Atlanta There Was Douglasville (Phil Cosby)" and and especially "Goodnight My Lady, And A Forever Fairwell (Vin Affleck)". During the later song the guitar solo behind the breakdown has been deleted, and a slight banjo melody has been placed in the background (which is pretty cheesy). There's also an added outro solo at the end of the song, but it's not really that special. The other two older songs sound absolutely amazing compared to their originals, particularly "Die Interviewer (I'm Only Speaking German)". I especially like the little eerie piano/keyboard part put in the bridge of "The Company The Comfort And The Grave (Donnie Cash)". The re-records will take some getting used to, but overall they are a nice treat to hear in a good quality like found on this ep. The two new songs "Yanni Depp" and "Kenny Gibler (Play The Piano Like A Disease)" are classics in the vein of any older Chariot material, and will strike an instant chord amongst fans.



Don't rush into this Ep thinking that it's all new material. Like I said there's only two new songs. However getting to hear the four older songs in a better production quality (even if some of the original versions of the songs were better) is really cool. The two new songs are great, and should be welcomed additions to the Chariot Discography. If you're a huge Chariot fan, then this Ep was made for you. While the re-records just seem tacked on as a way to sell the ep as more than just two songs, they are really worth it. Prepared to be crushed again."