Hidden Gems & Guilty Pleasures: Unto Others (USA)
Photos by Peter Beste
Unto Others (Heavy Metal / Gothic Rock, USA)
Portland, Oregon’s Unto Others have spent their seasons in the abyss and arise from the other side with their third full-length and Century Media Records debut »Never, Neverland«, to be released September 20, 2024.
When writing began for the record, Unto Others’ Gabriel Franco & co. were staggering away from two years of post-pandemic touring and personal hells. Not only did they survive that time, they also came back stronger and more resolute than ever. “My goal was to push this thing so hard that more people know us as Unto Others,” says Franco, alluding to the band’s moniker shift from Idle Hands. But hard work came with a price: “At the end of it, I was burnt out, full of anxiety and raw nerves,” Franco relates. That ineffable pressure funneled itself into what became the foundation for »Never, Neverland«. Signing with Century Media and hiring British producer Tom Dalgety (Ghost, The Cult), what began as an exaltation of exhaustion blossomed into the band’s most diverse and fulfilled work to date.
»Never, Neverland« is equally dreamy while never letting go of the energy and darkness that is Unto Others. It’s a record that owes as much to The Cure as it does to self-professed influences like The Sisters Of Mercy and Iron Maiden. Simply put: this is the record where Unto Others prove themselves far more than just a one-trick, blackened steed, but instead, a band on the verge of something wickedly terrible and utterly timeless.
»Never, Neverland« also marks a new epoch for Unto Others (rounded out by guitarist Sebastian Silva, bassist Brandon Hill and drummer Colin Vranizan). Having emerged in 2017, the band turned heads with the »Don’t Waste Your Time« EP, followed by the beloved 2019 full-length »Mana« and 2021’s heavy hitting »Strength« LP. Now, Unto Others build upon the seductive and beguiling foundation they’ve hewn out of a bedrock of goth, classic rock, punk, black metal and heavy metal.
“»Mana« and »Strength« can almost be pushed together,” Franco reflects on how »Never, Neverland« differs from its predecessors. “I had an iron grip over those albums. Every beat needed to be where I wanted it and how I wanted it to sound. With this one, I took a much looser approach and gave the band members a lot more input. This is the first record with Brandon doing backup vocals instead of myself. Even though I still wrote the core of the songs, this one is a much more collaborative effort. I kind of let go of it because I realized it was killing me. And the record came out better for it. It’s the best thing we’ve ever done.”
The album’s epic new single arrives alongside a cinematic music video by Brock Grossl. Unto Others’ Gabriel Franco comments, “Honestly surprised I wasn’t high when putting this together, cause it’s a weird one.” He continues, “With elements of punk/thrash/hardcore/post punk/goth and metal, »Momma Likes The Door Closed« is our attempt to recreate an 80s B-movie horror flick in musical format. Brock knocked it out of the park with the video, which must be watched with the song for the full experience. Shadows dance across the floor, don’t you ever open up the door!!”
Franco about »Never, Neverland«’s majestic previous single »Angel Of The Night«: “I’ve always wanted to do a power ballad, and I think this might be the closest we ever get. A goth power ballad maybe. Sebastian’s [Silva, guitarist] solo in this one is my favorite of the record. He really did a phenomenal job.”
Bringing in producer Tom Dalgety for »Never, Neverland« was a welcome change for Franco and crew. The results of the month spent in Portland’s Falcon Studios (where they recorded »Mana«) with Dalgety deliver majestically on Unto Others’ shadowy promise – guitars swell and thrash with color and shape while a newfound confidence and dimension creeps into Gabe’s vocals. »Never, Neverland« weaves a spell of its own and cements Unto Others as the reflectively-bespeckled visage of goth today.
Whether opening for the likes of extreme metal legends Carcass, Arch Enemy or Behemoth or blasting packed and sweaty rooms with traditional metal outfits like Haunt or Eternal Champion, Franco & company never fail in grabbing the most unlikely and diverse crowds with their incendiary shadow play. Like the best of their inspirations, Unto Others isn’t merely content to plumb darkened musical shrines and narrow subgenres – Gabe’s sights are set on something bigger.
Pre-order »Never, Neverland« HERE
Courtesy of Century Media Records
Discography:
• »Don’t Waste Your Time« EP (Eisenwald, 2021)
• »Mana« LP (Eisenwald, 2021)
• »Don’t Waste Your Time II« EP (Lone Fir Records, 2021)
• »Strength« LP (Roadrunner Records, 2021)
• »I Believe In Halloween« EP (2021)
• »Don’t Waste Your Time (Complete Sessions)« Compilation (Eisenwald, 2022)
• »Strength II…Deep Cuts« EP (Roadrunner Records, 2022)
• »Never, Neverland« LP (Century Media Records, 2024)
Unto Others is:
Gabriel Franco – Vocals, Guitars
Sebastian Silva – Guitars
Brandon Hill – Bass
Colin Vranizan – Drums
FFO: The Sisters Of Mercy, Tribulation, Type O Negative, The Cure, In Solitude, Danzig, Tiamat, The Night Eternal
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well