Portland, Oregon’s Unto Others spent their seasons in the abyss and arise from the other side with their third full-length “Never, Neverland”, out today via Century Media.
The record is equally drey while never letting go of the energy and darkness that is Unto Others; one 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.
To celebrate “Never, Neverland”‘s release, Unto Others have shared an electrifying performance video for album single “Suicide Today.” Gabriel Franco comments:
“The song is about bad decisions, and how they can proliferate into a hard life, or a sad death. Living in a big city, you see a lot of sadness and despair. So much you can bathe in it if you want. I used to be fascinated with these things, and it comes out in a lot of our music. But I as I get older I am more interested in the silver linings that surround it all. The beauty of someone lending a helping hand, or a simple kind gesture. These are the ways one person can make a difference. ‘Suicide Today’ is a positive song. I hope someone who needs it can take something from it worthwhile.”
“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.
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.
Photo: Brendan McGowan
