EGARÉS

This is the fourth and latest studio album from France's own UNIT WAIL. Honestly after the third album "Beyond Space Edges" I decided to hop off the bus as I felt it wasn't a 4 star record and maybe they were going in a direction I'm not exactly into. I have done this with countless band where after 3 or 4 albums I just feel it's time to move on unless there's a big buzz happening in regards to their newer records. What changed my mind was seeing they added a trumpet player, and I just felt that it would change the sound enough to make a positive difference. It didn't. So a four piece with Franck Fromy still around as the fifth member you could say but only adding a guitar solo on two tracks this time. Franck of course is one of the founding members of SHUB NIGGURATH. Kind of cool to see the cartoon characters of the band, especially the picture on the back cover. Like the front album cover the music tends to be complex, detailed with so much going on that it's a lot to take in.

It really isn't until the final two tracks which happen to be the longest ones on here that I feel the band returns to more of that sound that I like. A lot of the music is dark and metallic you could say and while the trumpet does add quite a bit I just wasn't that impressed overall. A lot of atmosphere here and I like the electric piano when they use it. Let's look at the two I like beginning with "Le Sas" at 7 1/2 minutes. A drum intro gives way quickly to guitar, bass and more. It calms right down around a minute in but it's very cool sounding with the drums and atmosphere. It turns experimental then a change as drums and guitar take over. Electric piano replaces the guitar but the guitar is back quickly. Nice bass here and I like when they amp it up around 5 1/2 minutes.

"Le Monde D'en Dessous" ends it at 8 1/2 minutes and my favourite song on here. Fromy opens with his inventive guitar leads before it settles in with lots going on. It's heavier after 2 minutes then trumpet arrives before 3 1/2 minutes. It kicks in again at 5 1/2 minutes plus the tempo picks up and this continues for the next 3 minutes to the end and it's my favourite section on the album.

I highly recommend "Retort" my favourite from this band where Franck does all the guitar work. The debut is next with a bit of a Zeuhl flavour followed by "Beyond Space Edges" then this one.