The only information I could find about URSAWRATH on their Bandcamp site is that they are a Seattle based Progressive Thrash band. And after releasing their self-titled demo in 2023 they now have a debut album called “Emergence” which is being released independently. And I know that the band has put the Progressive label in front of their genre of music, but I feel that they have made that bigger than you would expect. Plus, they have forgotten to add the Death Metal moniker, because that is there in spades as well. I’m not saying that they’re not using Progressive Metal in their songs, I just feel that because you have a lot of tempo changes, bridges and some very intense drumming, you are playing Progressive Metal. But I am quite happy to leave that part be, as I feel that I know where URSAWRATH are coming from, and if that rocks their boat, good for them.

What I do like a lot about “Emergence” is the very clear, transparent and therefore powerful sound. Especially for an independent release they can be bloody proud of the sound they are producing. It makes listening to the metal on the album not only a lot easier, but also it a lot easier to dissect it and be ready to categorise all the elements into the right category. In doing that you get to realise that (at least in my case) that my appreciation for the musical endeavours of URSAWRATH on “Emergence” has grown with every listening session. And that my friends is a sign that we have a diamond in the rough spinning it’s tunes and forcing the sounds out through my speakers.

As for how high I feel that URSAWRATH can climb. I really have no idea. They haven’t been together that long (I think), and if they can produce this just two years after their original demo, they might have a future. And let’s be frank, Seattle is a city where musicians and their efforts are properly appreciated, but also criticized and commented on in a very frank and honest way. That is going to help the band to be able to improve on “Emergence” in the years to come. And I want you to be sure about one thing; I will be very interested to find out in what way and how much they have achieved and climbed the ladder of experience and knowledge in the meantime. Which hopefully will make their next effort even better that what “Emergence” already is. So, here’s to a good and bright future for URSAWRATH.