Ethereal Metal

Ryan Murray | Co-Owner | Chief Editor | Contributor | Photographer

r.m.music84@gmail.com

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Uncured have always thrived on pushing the limits, but with Warpath, they’re delivering their most aggressive and dynamic album yet. Dropping Friday, February 21st via Conclave Studios, this record is a relentless fusion of raw 2000s metal energy and the hook-laden punch of modern nu-metalcore. The New Jersey quartet—Rex Cox (vocals, guitar), Zak Cox (lead guitar), “King Z” Zachary King (drums), and Betto Andrade (bass)—bring their road-hardened intensity to every track, crafting an experience that refuses to be ignored. After over 300 shows across 14 countries, sharing the stage with acts like Bad Omens, Jinjer, and Bad Wolves, Uncured have honed their sound into something fiercely unapologetic, balancing brutality with anthemic melodies in a way that feels fresh and vital.

The album wastes no time establishing its identity with Bleed Me Dry, a track that explodes with soaring vocals and anthemic choruses. It’s a seamless blend of aggression and melody, with razor-sharp guitars cutting through the mix and a rhythm section that refuses to let up. The song pulls you in immediately, setting the stage for the chaos to come. There’s an urgency here, a hunger in the delivery that makes it clear Uncured aren’t holding anything back.

That energy carries straight into Mask of Sanity, where the band doubles down on their signature contrast of soaring melodies and unrelenting aggression. The anthemic chorus is undeniable, showcasing their knack for writing hooks that embed themselves in your mind, but the track never sacrifices its intensity. The interplay between the clean vocals and harsher tones keeps things unpredictable, highlighting Uncured’s ability to merge accessibility with ferocity.

Then comes Perfect Specimen, which stands out as one of the album’s defining moments. While many tracks on Warpath thrive on breakneck intensity, Perfect Specimen takes a more calculated approach, slowing things down just enough to let the melodies breathe. The earworm hooks and intricate harmonies create an almost hypnotic effect, making it impossible not to get pulled into its grasp. There’s a depth here that sets it apart—an emotional weight behind the melodies that lingers long after the track ends. In an album filled with blistering aggression, this song provides a moment of dynamic contrast without losing an ounce of impact.

Just as you’re settling into the album’s rhythm, Detonate crashes in with a nu-metal-driven explosion. This track leans fully into a Linkin Park-esque vibe, complete with rapped verses and a surprising pig squeal that disrupts expectations. It’s a bold, unpredictable move that reinforces Uncured’s refusal to be boxed into a single style. The energy is infectious, blending nostalgic elements with a modern, in-your-face execution that keeps the album feeling fresh.

Prostitute follows with an even heavier edge, ramping up the aggression in both instrumentation and vocals. The interplay between crushingly heavy guitars, searing leads, and haunting melodic cleans creates a volatile atmosphere. The contrast between the vicious, almost primal growls and the soaring clean melodies gives the track a visceral push-and-pull effect, making it one of the album’s more dynamic moments.

If Prostitute leans into melody, Fall in Line swings the pendulum back toward sheer intensity. This track is all grit and aggression, built on pummeling breakdowns and unrelenting speed. The rawness in the vocal delivery is impossible to ignore—every line sounds like it’s being torn from the depths of frustration and fury. It’s a pit-ready anthem, tailor-made for live chaos, embodying the album’s overarching theme of defiance.

Then we hit Crucify and 3 Minutes, both of which lean heavily into rap-driven elements without sacrificing the album’s metallic edge. The distorted guitars keep things crushingly heavy, while the rhythmic vocal delivery injects a new layer of intensity. 3 Minutes stands out in particular, with its killer clean chorus that hooks you instantly. The transition between raw aggression and melodic catharsis is executed flawlessly, making it one of the most memorable moments on the album.

That balance continues into Manifesto, which opens with a hard-hitting rap verse before descending into sheer brutality. The second half of the track is particularly striking—down-tempo grooves lay the foundation for some of the album’s most vicious vocal work before giving way to a haunting, layered harmony that brings the track to a chilling close. It’s a moment of unexpected beauty amidst the chaos, showcasing Uncured’s ability to blend aggression with haunting melody in a way that feels completely natural.

Then, as if to put an exclamation point on the album, Uncured close things out with a blistering cover of Nine Inch Nails’ Closer. Rather than simply paying homage to the industrial classic, they inject it with renewed energy, turning it into something that feels uniquely their own. The track is heavier, rawer, and even more urgent than the original, serving as a fittingly bold finale for an album that thrives on intensity.

Throughout Warpath, Uncured prove that they are far more than just another heavy band—they’re architects of controlled chaos, weaving melody and aggression into a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly unpredictable. Each track plays a crucial role in shaping the album’s sonic landscape, with no filler, no wasted moments. From the adrenaline rush of Bleed Me Dry to the anthemic intensity of Mask of Sanity, from the standout, hypnotic pull of Perfect Specimen to the unrelenting aggression of Fall in Line, the album feels like a complete statement—one that demands to be played loud and experienced in full.

Uncured’s Warpath is a relentless, genre-smashing juggernaut—blending nu-metal chaos, metalcore brutality, and arena-ready hooks into one of the most unhinged, addictive heavy records of the year. This is the future of modern metal, and Uncured are leading the charge.

VERDICT: 4.5/5.0