UNPROCESSED have channeled raw visceral power through their musical talent to create their new album, “And Everything In Between.” This is “Futuristic Thrash Metal.” The band is bringing all the influences of their past and combining them into the next evolution of UNPROCESSED, while still adding new flavors and a bold style to the mix. The album can be described as “everything in between the extremes of life. Dealing with anger, sorrow, nostalgia, love, and fear - the album reflects on the different shades of a personality that we all grapple with (i.e. there is evil in everyone)."

Nine songs await. “Hell” is first. One thing that is obvious about the band that I have learned is that the core of a lot of their sound comes from guitarist Manuel’s unique style with the instrument. Like Steve Vai, he boasts a lot of different sounds from the guitar, in tandem with bassist David. This song is part aggression, heavy Djent accents, and part melody. “Lore” is ridiculous when you consider the number of weighted accents. The fact that the band can turn them into a song is admirable. There is a good deal of chaotic elements here along with the heavy rhythms.

“Thrash” was the first single released from the album. It opens with clean guitars and memorable melodies, before transitioning again to heavy and chaotic elements. The melodies however are more pronounced than the previous two songs. “Backbone” is another melody led song with satisfying sounds but still that heavy structure that has come to define the band. Those creepy accents make another appearance however, assuring that the song stays mostly within that realm. “Die on the Cross of the Martyr” also heavily features the guitar and bass talents of Manuel and David. The melodies are quite as memorable here, and it’s more about their technical abilities.

“Glass” begins with tender melodies and a subdued sound, and David’s bass work is very tasty. The heavy accents are still present but they do take a back seat to the more whimsical guitar work. “Abysm” has a much more ethereal vocal performance along with some backing electronica. Of course, the Djent accents come busting through like a wrecking ball to an old and rickety plaster structure. “I Wish I Wasn’t” has some charming melodies to go along with the unfettered and rigid structure of the heavy guitar and bass parts. “Purgatory” is the final track, and I’m not sure that there is anything new or groundbreaking here.

UNPROCESSED was one of my favorite band back three albums ago, but I am not sure I am totally sold on their new direction. They were and still are immensely talented, that much hasn’t changed, and they call this “futuristic thrash metal.” What I hear, besides the insane guitar and bass work, is closer to MeloDeath Metal/Metalcore, though not in the older sense, combined with Modern Metal influences. Genre purists aside, it simply helps me describe an album when I have a reference point. The album was good, but could have been better with some more diversity. Too many of the songs had a similar sound.