REVIEWS

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Metalworks Ireland Webzine (Ireland)
With nearly ten years behind them, these Swedes present their third full-length album. Having not heard any previous efforts, this has nonetheless made quite an impression. Unmoored manage to effectively combine traditional Metal with Death and Thrash, without sounding forced and disjointed. From the opening track this sounds like any other Death Metal band ? blast, chopping riffs and growled vocals. All the songs seem to follow a general pattern of full speed transforming into a Thrash workout. Within the basic structures, there are some really mind-blowing changes into acoustic moods and clean vocal passages, which work to a high degree. It is hard to pin the band down to any particular style; for example, the track “Spit Forth From Failure” has the basic formula, but also has a symphonic Black Metal power chord and keyboard flavour to it, with an almost Meshuggah timing. The guitar soloing has a high level of proficiency, which complements the songs perfectly, something that is becoming all too rare. I could compile a list of bands Unmoored are reminiscent of, but that would be pointless. In among the already eclectic Metal mix are Opeth leanings, which are very noticeable on sections of “Leave Taking”. The one song that is totally different is “Final State Part III”, which has a clean vocal throughout and predominantly acoustic guitar driven, this song could have been on “Blackwater Park”. It?s great to hear such a mixed bag in an album that is well crafted and would warrant a lot of playing time. www.code666.net
8/10 Dave McCallum

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Metalreview Webzine (USA)
This album is an experiment in contrasts ? one part Stockholm-sound death metal, another part of Dan Swano-esque tranquility. If this sounds like a formula for Edge of Sanity, that´s nearly exact. Fortunately, I think that?s a fantastic sound, and one that I haven´t heard in overwhelming quantities, except by the man himself. In their defense, Unmoored push the envelope a little further on the heavy side. Whereas the harder edge of EOS is rooted in chunkier riffs, Unmoored rely more on blast-driven mayhem to pound their point home. All members of this three-piece act excel at their instrument(s) of choice. Vocalist/rhythm/bass guitarist Christian Alvestam pays respect to Swano by cloning both his clean and growled deliveries, and it sounds fantastic. Tomas Johansson´s leads are shredding of the highest order, and even his slower melodies are worthy of the air guitar. Drummer Henrik Schonstrom holds his own with accurate footwork and some nice fills. All of this is given a respectable Abyss Studios sound, grating and loud, yet clear. Right from the get-go, Indefinite Soul-Extension´s opener “Unspeakable Grief” launches into a pair of nasty riffs, which then traverses into a Gothenburgy, clean-vocal chorus. Follow that up with light-speed shredding and bake at 350 for six minutes and you´ve got a remarkable song. “Phase of Revulsion” is my favorite song on here, mostly due to a godly chorus that alternates clean, growled, and screamed vox and then lays them on top of intense drumming and a fine lead. Nearly every song on here follows the same functional formula of mixing fine Swedish death with laid-back clean sections and stellar shreds. Occasionally some silly haunted house-like keys find their way into a song, but the only two exceptions to that formula are the brief blast of energy called “Morndraper” and the acoustic-driven ballad “Final State Part III”. Fortunately, in the ballad, where I´d expect to find cheese, instead I find a beautiful solo. I?ll admit it, I´m a pushover for first-rate leads, and Unmoored has more than enough to put a smile on my face. If you don´t object to the unabashed EOS worship, then you´ll agree that Indefinite Soul Extension is a fine slab o´ metal. All aspects are top-quality and I´ll definitely track down their older albums. Unmoored has delivered one of the best releases from Sweden this year, for sure

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Metal-observer (Germany)
For quite some time Swedish UNMOORED had been missing in action after their strong second album "Kingdom Of Greed" from 2000. The only thing that I could read was that they signed with code666, but that was about it. But now they finally are back, with "Indefinite Soul-Extension" under their arm. The first two albums "Cimmerian" and "Kingdom Of Greed" had been released via Singapore based label Pulverized (who also had discovered AMON AMARTH), which unfortunately limited the attention UNMOORED received in our region as their distribution, to say the least, had not been the best. With Italian code666 that at least should not be a problem, I think.Had the band from Skövde sounded quite a bit like HYPOCRISY before, the question anno 2003, of course, is, if they have changed and if so, how. And this question can be answered with a clear and resounding "yes and no". Yes, a certain HYPOCRISY touch still can be detected and also clean vocals can be heard in the UNMOORED sound, but? and there are two quite big buts? for one the Swedes are not novices in terms of clean vocals, because already on the previous album they ennobled the powerful sound of the Swedes, and for the other I can easily disperse any potential accusations of wimping out, because "Indefinite Soul-Extension" has power to boot! Packed into a great production by Peter Tägtgren the trio breaks through the speakers with full force and at times unleashes the big Death Metal club, which might cause some Melodic Death fans to get an uneasy stomach, but we also get highly melodic passages, just like monumental riff walls and sparse, yet effectively used clean vocals, which mostly is used around the choruses and despite all the heaviness fits really well. Especially on "Commit To The Fire" the contrast is very clear, giving UNMOORED a quite own touch. On "Leave-taking" we suddenly get treated with a great violin, which hits you completely unprepared and brings an interesting touch into the hefty Death, while "Morndraper" most probably is the heaviest song in the UNMOORED history! In some songs they add some slightly spacey keyboards (like in the excellent "Spit Forth From Failure"), which remind me a bit of HYPOCRISY again? And on "Kingdom Of Greed" we had received a balladesque, acoustic song at the end, titled "In The Midst Of Winter", on "Indefinite Soul-Extension" we get another one of those, titled "Final State III (Posthumous Writings)", again with acoustic guitars, but also electric ones, still balladesque, very emotional and melodic, great closer! With outstanding clean vocals, which remind me a bit of Dan Swanö, the whole thing completely different than the other tracks, a crass contrast in heaviness, but still a great track, absolutely! Altogether I can conclude that UNMOORED have added a brick compared to the two first albums, but without going overboard in terms of brutality. The great clean vocals form a very good contrast to the damn heavy sound and should not lead anyone to think that the Swedes had gone soft on us. If you like your Death Metal melodic, but still super heavy, then the third effort of UNMOORED could very well be something for you!

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Tragenda Webzine (Italy)
After a poor debut album, "Cimmerian", and a good but incostant follow up, entitled "Kingdom of Greed" Sweden's Unmoored back with a new deal with Code666 that hopefully will let the band have a bigger exposure than in the past and with a new album "Indefinite Soul Extension". The album turned out a little different than the past ones thanks to the undoubtedly improved songwriting. I would rather describe it as a mix of Swedish death metal, classic metal and American death metal. Each song is full of remarkable riffs that sweep away the listener, while the main vocals are a deep growling, this alternated with some interesting clean vocals both sung peices are handled by Christian Alvestam Thus, we get a soft version of American death metal or, looking from the other prospective, a harsh version of melodic death metal. Moreover, though you can compare Unmoored to the likes of many bands (Opeth, At the Gates, In Flames, Arch Enemy) you cannot say they are copying somebody. A record 100 percent worth checking out.
strenuus [19/11/2003]

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Xtreemmusic Webzine (Spain)
8.5
Very good work this one made by the swedish band UNMOORED. It´s their third full lenght album which explains the great level they own. You can see it´s a steady band and they have already got an own sound. About the style to say they are practising an original Death Metal in the melodic way with an amazing quality, but don´t think on swedish bands which actually are more Heavy than Death, like IN FLAMES and their horde of clones. Not at all, this is a true Death Metal band, melodic, of course, but without to sound commercial, in fact from time to time they tend to play more accelerated. Besides of the typical characteristics os the style they also include from time to time a female singer, by the way very good and it´s not the typical soprano but a more particular voice which is giving a very interesting point to the whole, and also a clean male voice, although both are scarcely appearing, but when they sound they enhance the song. Sometimes they also use some keyboards as background. All this elements are creating more quiet atmospheres but sound too well and give a great variety to the compositions. Besides they also enter from time to time in more Heavy, or even Progressive terrains which makes from this album to be an easy listening. If you like melodic Death Metal but you are tired of so many imitating bands this can be your chance to enjoy again this style.

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Orgasm in musica magazine (Poland)
UNMOORED belong to those bands which just exist and from time to time they record something new. For Christian Alvestam and his friends a way always went in opposite to their abilities. Once it was due to their not so effective deal with Singaporian Pulverized Records or due to their music that changed a little bit all the time. On "Cimmerian" from '99 and on the following album titled "Kingdoms of Greed" that Swedish combo drifted between an extremity of black/death metal and more death 'n roll areas. "Indefinite Soul Extension" was recorded such long time ago (at Abyss Studio) that only some people knew about it and I suppose that only a few die-hard fans have expected another good album. Well, it was worthy of waiting, 'cause probably UNMOORED have found their place in a small niche somewhere between brutality and melody in a Swedish way. So "Indefinite..." is something what can satisfies as the fans of an expressive death metal with some delicate touches of blackish sounds as well as those who adore more progressive elements in that kind of music. Some clear vocals used and guitar work remind OPETH and the other bands which don't afraid to incorporate more complex structures. UNMOORED didn't forget to enclose some acoustic passages smartly blend with more intense kind of playing. It may keep your attention for a long time, 'cause it's not that album that won't fly through your ears and go away for good. After a couple of careful listenings I can recommend it also to the fans of EDGE OF SANITY and DIMMU BORGIR (just listen to a fantastic song "Cinders Veil"). It's not their time yet, but who knows... maybe one day UNMOORED finally will be that band which gives you more than the thousands of others?
Wojciech Szymanski (7,5 / 10)

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Metalgospel Webzine (Germany)
Intense ! That´s the first word that came to mind as soon as the great sound of "Indefinite Soul-Extension" from Sweden´s UNMOORED exploded from the speakers like a harsh and unrelenting storm. Crushing guitars, pounding drums and lots of variety await anyone who picks up this great album of Melodic Death Metal reminding me a lot of old EDGE OF SANITY and sometimes IN FLAMES during their "Lunar Strain" days. These guys mainly use 2 vocal styles, with the majority being vicious death growling and then some clean vocals in between, reminding me of Dan Swanö style. To add a special touch to the mix they incorporate some folky elements which now gives away why I like these guys so much (nevermind the fact that they remind me of old EDGE OF SANITY and IN FLAMES, both of whom I adored). In some parts you can also hear a bit of Black Metal seep through but not too much. It is amazing how powerful and crisp the production and sound of this album is, especially taking into consideration it´s only 3 guys making all the ruckus. Well done and very interesting closing the album with a ballad. I almost think it would have been more interesting to open the aaum with the song, sort of like the "calm before the storm". Hehe... This comes highly recommended. -Cheryl

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Nocturnalhall Webzine (Germany)
Points: 8,5
Hmm, again a band I never have heard anything about before, although they exist for almost 10 years now. There is to read that they have released 2 albums since 1999 via the small label Pulverized Records. Seems, that they have passed me by unnoticed at that time. That actually merges as a disadvantage, cause I now cannot form an opinion if these Swedish guys have made such great music in yester years too. Then Indefinite Soul-Extension includes everything a future Death Metal classic needs. Beginning with a mangy and extreme sounding production, a pleasing cover (fortunately no kitsch), up to a crushing full service in terms of music. There are massive riffs (like a blend of Hypocrisy and Edge Of Sanity with a slightly Black Metal touch) meeting up with much varied singing, sometimes wickedly growling, sometimes enjoyably clean. Ok, that I´ve written off from the info sheet, almost literally, but this time it´s true what the label has fudged. I could not have written it up better. Since the opener Unspeakable Grief kicked off with a raving blast attack, it follows driving, slightly groovy Death Metal, before they remind to best Swanö times with melodic refrains. Not only this track is going on with this kind of variety but the other ones follow these roots. Whereas the composition is ? on the one hand much variable ? on the other hand pretty compact and catchy. In any case UNMOORED is showing its skills that way, because I think, it´s hardly possible to achieve such a music from a standing position. Anyway, in between explosive lead breaks and felicitous acoustic parts get embedded, they even don´t shy using other instruments (is it a violin in Leave-Taking?). Most time you get downright nailed down with weighty riffs, sometimes fast, sometimes slow played, but still with a fun factor on a high level as tracks like Commit To Fire (more in a staid way), Cinders Veil (with modern Black Metal influences), the extremely varied Phase Of Revulsion and the final ballad Final State Part III (posthumous writings) prove, especially since I feel reminded all the time to the heyday of ambitious Swedish Death Metal. Those of you who are bored by all these melodic Death Metal bands nowadays, who are not innovative enough and too uniform, but like this genre in general, should fall for Indefinite Soul-Extension.

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Ultimatemetal Webzine (USA)
By Russell Garwood
Swedish death metal collective Unmoored recently released their third full length through code666 records. Differing somewhat from many of their label-mates, the band’s music has both harsh and melodic death elements, with occasional keyboards, frequent solos and regular time changes. The vocals of Christian Älvestam are excellent, aggressive growls complement the unforgiving metallic sections, while his top-quality singing creates catchy choruses and unforgettable hooks in nearly every song. Rarely have I seen better use of clean vocals in a death album, with the singing used primarily on distorted, not quiet, sections. The lead guitars of Thomas Johansson (and rhythm of Christian) are also excellent. Melodic riffage contrasts occasional less melodic, brutal-death-orientated sections, while the high-speed solos are impressive. Acoustics are a nice addition, especially in the last song – a ballad called “Final State Part III”. The bass is often drowned beneath other instrumentation, but the drums are of a very high standard. Varied beats move between blasts and double bass roles, as well as slower crash-heavy sections, while the fills are fitting and well considered, and time changes prove no trouble. Well placed keyboards are another welcome addition, both subtle and effective. Clean, well-balanced production, courtesy of T. Tagtgren (Abyss Studio – Dimmu, Marduk, Hypocrisy), completes a rounded and original album. “Indefinite Soul-Extension” shows accomplished musicianship, solid songwriting and is well worth checking out for fans of extreme music. Unmoored deserve much recognition, and hopefully (with the help of code666’s impressive and ever-growing reputation), they will get it.

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Mtwog Webzine (?)
Already from the first second, we can hear that this album will be blasting. The first song Unspeakable grief already begins with a huge scream that going through your body. This song is absolutely unbelievable. This death metal is very melodious and with a very emotional chorus. This Swedish band is definitely going to be famous. They know how to combine death metal and melodic metal and they also know how to combine blasting growling sounds together with emotional soft tunes. A good characteristic of this band is the fact that they bring this death metal with a lot of content. There are a lot of brutal bands that bring this kind of metal but with no contents, just growling a lot, so the lyrics aren´t important. Unmoored brings it a lot better. Another good thing about this album is the two voices. You can hear the screaming but also a voice that sings rather normal. But a good question is: what is normal? My favourite song is the second song “commit to the fire”. Because this is an excellent song to head bang and to mosh. Unmoored are like gods when they play this song. There is one thing that I would change. The last song ?final state part III? is a good song, but not a song to put on the end of a death metal album. Put this song between two brutal death metal songs and then it would be great. But of course, this is a small detail. I won´t say that this album is bad because of a song that doesn´t stand on his place. But when they would ask me to describe this album very short I would say: absolutely fantastic !

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Silent scream Webzine (Italy)
Swedish Unmoored add something theirs, at least. "Indefinite Soul-Extension" indeed, though starting from the usual swedish death metal roots, truly retires from the clichès we know thanks to the construction of the songs that, as well as the classic schemes, explore different territories, especially a more americanized death metal made of square riffs and a killer growling, as well as some more atmospherical technical scores. Beside that, they show a good tendency to melodic openings, led with clean vocals and with the little help of keys. The usual swedish assault, made of a perfect technique and fast rhythms, is well merged by Unmoored with different solutions, that are made particular by the ability of the musicians to pass from a context to the other without losing the focus onto the goal to reach. The mixture created by Unmoored between the two death metal schools is very interesting, considering that from the american one they take some elements from the most technical bands able to create an intelligent death metal instead that from a generic guts grinder pot. Thanks to such choices Unmoored's songs develop along rather complex structures, rich of tempo changes and digressions outside the usual schemes. Often this recipe helps to build interesting moments, somewhere else they get lost in not linear solutions in which the band loses the control and camplicates the situation a bit too much. "Indefinite Soul-Extension" is a complex album that deserves a listening at least because, even if within an overcrowded style like swedish death metal, it tries to say its own thing and to build something personal and recognizable, even if remains a work for lovers of the genre.

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Past and present music Webzine (Denmark)
Sometimes you just expect the good death metal albums to come from the bigger labels, but I´ve been pleasantly surprised by Code666´s bands at times, and Swedish Unmoored was another pleasant surprised. Especially track one, which is everything a quality death metal track should be. It´s has got a melodic vibe going, not too unlike a lot of those Swedish bands, but only speeded up a notch or two. Then there?s a brutality only bands from Poland seem to be in possession of these days. There are some cool, psychedelic keyboards in there as well, and finally some just as cool melodic singing. The rest of the album isn´t that extra-ordinary, but still quite good. Actually, it´s so good that I can´t quite make my mind which album I like better ? this one, or the new The Crown CD.

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Maelstrom Webzine (USA)
review by: Roberto Martinelli
In our reviews, we at Maelstrom sometimes refer to albums as being good "driving music." There´s a connotation that the tag means the album is somehow inferior: that being in a car, with all its various stimuli to distract one from the lack of such from the album, is the only way to enjoy the music. Not so. Personally, I know I tend to enjoy music most when I´m in transit. Some of the most meaningful listening experiences I have are consistently when I?m walking around outside with my favorite headphones or I´m driving with a CD on. So when I say Unmoored´s Indefinite Soul-Extension is great driving music, that´s something to take note of. This praise is especially true when you consider that the Unmoored is great music to have on when driving the majestic Pacific Coast Highway, which runs along the coast of California. The stretch of highway from San Luis Obispo to Half Moon Bay is hundreds of miles of thrilling, windy roads and spectacular, unspoiled vistas of ocean and cliffs. Roll the windows down while you shift gears through the serpentine road; and when you come around a corner or the lip of a hill and all you can see is a creamy blue sky, it feels like you?re flying. Unmoored´s Swedish brand of death metal speed was a great album to have on for the experience. As far as the seemingly endless, quality melodic death metal records that Sweden puts out every year, Unmoored is in the higher echelon. The music sounds hungrier and fuller, and they avoid a lot of the rehashed trappings of the Swedish sound. But what really makes the record are the clean vocals. A lot like Opeth?s clean stuff over that band´s last three albums or so, but less feminine and sensitive and more soaring and powerful, while still retaining the pretty feel. The vocals are sung about 1/4 of the time, and are always inserted tastefully and generally for choruses. But you get plenty of brutality with blast beats, spirited riffs and heavy metal soloing. So did the surroundings of the California Coast affect the impression of Unmoored? Probably, but the opposite was also true. And listens to Indefinite Soul-Extension while waiting for our mom in the parking lot of the grocery store also proved Unmoored´s latest record to be a pretty great one. (8.5/10)

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Vampire-magazine Webzine (Netherlands)
I remembered UNMOORED from the Code666 label sampler "Better Undead Than Live", being a band that was "different" than most other bands on the label. With keyboard-enriched Death Metal they set themselves apart from the mostly Black Metal bands on the label. The Swedish trio already exists for about 10 years now, and "Indefinite Soul-Extension" is their newest album, following two earlier full length discs (both on Pulverised Records), three demos and a promo. This is also the first official release with the new line-up of founder Christian Älvestam with Henrik Schönström and Tomas Johansson. From what I remembered of the track on the label sampler, was that UNMOORED plays brutal Death Metal. But after a first thorough listening of the CD I realised I had either lost my mind or the band quite changed their style, as the music on "Indefinite Soul-Extension" is much more than just brutal Death Metal. It's actually not all that brutal, but more a mix of melodic, progressive and aggressive Death Metal. Considering there are both growls and (excellent) clean vocals, plus the addition of background keyboards, the music of UNMOORED is quite a challenging listening experience. This is not in the least by the at times relatively complex structures of the songs. Maybe it is also because of the different expectations I had before hearing this album, but it totally blew me away! “Unspeakable Grief” is the perfect beginning of a flawless record, harbouring all the elements of the UNMOORED sound, starting almost like Thrash Metal with some more brutal parts and having awesome breaks, a great solo and spooky keyboards. As I indicated before, the clean vocals are really extraordinary: They have a lot of emotion put in them, and they are also not just used in the softer parts, but even stronger when the pace of the music is still relatively high. Mentioning a track that stands far above the rest is simply not possible: no fillers, just killers! Whether “Indefinite Soul-Extension” deserves an award for originality is not really relevant, the music of UNMOORED has something for all fans of any type of Death Metal. As this album leans over to the more melodic side of Death Metal I will qualify this amongst the two best CDs in that genre released this year, along with the great debut of MORS PRINCIPIUM EST.

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Quintessence Webzine (Netherlands)
Unmoored is a band that was unknown to me, so when I put the CD in the player I didn`t have any idea what to expect. But as soon as the album started I was blown away. Hell yeah, this is how Swedish Death Metal sounds. Unmoored reminds me of the early Hypocrisy, In Flames and even a touch of Grave. Opening song "Unspeakable Grief" hits my room like a first class grenade and only leaves chaos and destruction. Full speed ahead is what this song`s all bout. Remarkable about this song is that there are, besides the death metal grunts, clean vocals present too. Think about the way Soilwork uses them. The second song "Commit To the Fire" starts slow and increases to mid-tempo after a while. Again the clean vocals are present. The following 5 songs continue the same way. A mixture of mid-tempo and blast parts with diverse vocals supported by great technical riffs. The last song "Final State Part 3" is a bit different however. The song starts with acoustic guitars, but soon flows over in E-guitars. They keep the melody however. Due too the clean vocals this song reminds me about Opeth. The album was produced by Tommy Tagtren at the Abyss Studio. Some people will complain about the sound of course. They`ve heard it before, it sounds the same, but fuck you. It still blows the dirt out of your ears. So if you want a brutal, but diverse sounding death metal record, stop searching and buy this one.
André

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Thedarkesthours (Canada)
Progressive death metal with a Swedish melodic touch. That's how I would describe Indefinite Soul-Extension, the third album of the trio Unmoored. Definitely, this album is deep and true. Marvellous guitar solos rising between brutal and melodic tempos surmounted by well-placed violin and keyboard parts in a perfect blend of death growls and clean vocals. Maybe they haven't re-invented their style, but at least, they've restructured it. Indefinite Soul-Extension's got a little plus than the melodic blends that we are used to. Christian Älvestam clean vocals - in the same vein of Dan Swanö and Mikael Åkerfeltd - transports us in a really amazing cozy mood. This is particularly happening while listening to the last track, "Final State Part III", where the beautiful chant is reinforced by the acoustic intro and the languorous and enchanted plaint of the electric guitar. This band, formed with young talented musicians, is definitely entering in competition with the Swedish's most famous. Don't forget their name 'cause, somehow, Unmoored is going to be huge.
95/100Isabelle

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Urkraft (Sweden)
UNMOORED - INDEFINITE SOUL-EXTENSION 7.5/10
Unmoored is an up-and-coming Swedish act with lots of potential of becomeing a household name. Soundwise they are competing within the melodic death metal genre, an area in which Sweden has been a dominant force for many years with acts like In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and Soilwork. "Indefinite soul-extension" is the bands third release, and in my opinion the first of their albums that really have a chance to compete with the top names of the scene. The production is great, which is fully understandable because of the fact that it was recorded at famous Abyss studios. The sound feels massive and "thick", a great wall-of-sound similar to for example the last couple of Dimmu Borgir recordings. The song material is quite strong and even. Tracks like "Unspeakable grief" and "Phase of revulsion" have a certain underground hit potential. However I don't think it will render them a massive success such as for example In Flames, mainly due to the fact that they are slightly more aggressive and dark! Sometimes their blasting is in fact almost in Dimmu Borgir class! But in the majority of the songs they include surprisingly melodic chorus lines performed with clean vocals! The contrast between the clean melodic vocals and the otherwise aggressive growling is what gives this album it's feel of depth. Sometimes the arrangements are very complex, and sometimes they are more simple and straight forward. All of this, together with good variations in tempo, makes "Indefinite soul-extension" an album that can be enjoyed over a long period of time without getting bored of it! It will certainly haunt my cd player for quite some time! Unmoored is a band that definitely ought to "steal away" some attention from the more well known and established bands of this scene.

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Harm Webzine (USA)
I must say that I had been waiting with much anticipation for Unmoored's third release, Indefinite Soul-Extension, to arrive. I thought Kingdoms of Greed was one of 2000's best kept secrets. Well, with Indefinite Soul-Extension, it is time for this secret to be disclosed to the public. Unmoored has definitely stepped up to the plate with this release and is looking to make the jump into the metal elite. What's so good about Indefinite Soul-Extension you may ask? Well, for those new to Unmoored (shame on you by the way!), they play melodic death that makes more comparisons to Edge of Sanity and Hypocrisy than say, In Flames. The material is very ear-catching, but it has that brutal edge that many Swedish bands fail to capitalize on. Actually, I suppose you could label the band as a mix of Edge of Sanity, Hypocrisy, and Dimmu Borgir, but to leave it at that would do a grave injustice to the band. If you have heard Kingdoms of Greed, what you will hear doesn't actually differ from that too much, except that it is much more "refined" and as lame as it sounds, it is more melodic and brutal at the same time. The melodic moments are given more power with Christian Alvestam's exceptionally good clean vocals. They have made a major step up from Kingdoms, and are very powerful and emotional. I think its safe to say, Christian has one of the best clean vox in the extreme metal scene, ranking up with Speed (Soilwork) and Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth). Just listen to Final State Part III (the ballad we've seen continued since Unmoored's first release) and tell me his vocals aren't powerful. The brutal parts seem heavier and they've added some speed when necessary (the last minute of Unspeakable Grief has some very nice blasting). Christian's growls mesh the sound perfectly and further the heavy sound. Though I thoroughly enjoyed this disc the first time, its definitely a "grower" as it just keeps getting better and better each time. I've always said since I heard Kingdoms of Greed that Unmoored is one of the most under-rated bands around, but with Indefinite Soul-Extension, it is clear that this band is about to hit the bigtime, and no one deserves it more. Very highly recommended!
Standout tracks: Unspeakable Grief, Commit to the Fire, Cinders Veil, Final State Part III

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Metalstorm Webzine (USA)
The usual Swedish Death Metal band? No. With their third album Umoored show us how to play following a genre without being repetitive or copycats. Obviously infuenced by the swedish melodic death (mainly Hypocrisy), Unmoored mix melody with a strong amount of brutality, with vocals ranging from the “almost black” screaming to the classic growl but also some melodic (Opeth-flavoured) clean vocals lines. Perfectly produced (Tagtgren is everywhere? I wonder: does he sleep sometimes?), and technically exemplary, the album sound is compact, powerful- but not too much crisp and boombastic, in order to keep the right harsh but dark atmosphere- and it ranges well from a good melodic death riffing to some heavy “floridian” thrashy passages, even if the best moments are just when they reaserch more the melodic complexity and the time changing (Leave-Taking , Cinders Veil and Spit Forth The Failure are the highlights)- breaking the pounding Death rhythmics with slower clean vocals parts - rather than other episodes like the isolated Morndraper, when they try to follow a more brutal and heavy approach, that frankly is less original and catchy. As a “surprise” the album is closed by Final State Part III a pleasant semi-ballad, with clean vocals only, good ending for an album continously searching for the variation. So, what about it? I don´t find anything wrong in this album, but I cannot say that is a masterpiece. It´s just a step under the perfection, I don?t know why, but that?s the feeling I have. Anyway, my opinion on it grow better as much as I listen this album. But, if you like this kind of death metal this album is more than recomended, nothing of incredibly innovative, but an excellent album in the overcrowded swedish death scene, an album that grasps somehting that others miss and a band that will surely be capable to impose itself it the phantheon of the Swedish Death.

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Into Obscurity Webzine (USA)
How these Swedes have remained this obscure up until now is beyond me. If this full length serves to show what this band is capable of, they should soon be one of the more formidable competitors in the battle for the Swedish crown. Mixing the sounds of Swedish melodic metal with the progressive feel that Opeth have, Unmoored play a brutal and complex style of atmospheric death metal. The inclusion of clean vocals usually turns me off to a CD almost instantly, but here they are used tastefully and they actually add a dimension to "Indefinite Soul-Extension" when coupled with the more straightforward death metal vocals. I think this band really benefit from being able to not only make a clean switch from soft parts with heavy parts, but also having moments where both of those are in the picture at the same time. Production courtesy of Abyss Studios and Tommy Tagtren let all the layers of music and atmosphere peer through each other. Unmoored only need the right push and they could blow up. "Indefinite Soul-Extension" is proof that Unmoored have the musical prowess and creative mind to take influence from popular styles of metal and put a unique spin on them.

UNMOORED "Indefinite Soul-Extension" CD
Astro-zombie Webzine (England)
Another Code 666 release and what a stormer this is. Unmoored appear to be at first glance just another Swedish death metal band. But this three piece are amazingly versatile and there are more folk influences here than you´d ever expect from the dark brooding cover art. “Phase of Revulsion” is brilliant, harmonised vocal pervading a dark twisted demonic wasteland of growling vocals, chugging guitar and blistering drums. Christian Alvestam may have the most versatile voice in death metal and definitely brings this album to life.Henrik Schonstrom´s drums are intense and pounding throughout, begging the question why haven´t his arms and legs fallen off yet? The guitar part is equally awesome with one of the most in your face sounds I´ve ever heard. These guys must be awesome live and if they play the UK I´ll be there, wherever they are. As a relatively undiscovered act over here Unmoored are worthy of a much wider audience and I genuinely hope they fulfil their potential if Indefinite Soul Extension is anything to go by.

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Invader Webzine - (Germany) 8.0 out of 10 Points: FRANK
A dark, mystical cover, the name, ... I expected the worst: An never-ending evil intro, to scare the hell out of my balls! But, surprisingly, the music starts right at the point, and the hell can stay in my balls. For what purpose however... After two minutes of the first song Feral Blaze, the name Tägtren slowly appears out of the fog in my head. And there is a Tägtren on this CD, but it's little brother Tommy, as the producer. Still, a band to mention in connection with UNMOORED is HYPOCRISY. Deny the influence and you will be punished, lads! Nevertheless, if you take over influences and make them part of yourself and your own development, it's a good thing to do. And so do UNMOORED. Brilliant Death Metal tracks as Self Invoked or Thrown Off The Scent show the class and the substance of this band. Together with the murderous sound, the songs are an overkill of speed, melody and power. The guitars, the drums and the growls are high above the usual standard in this genre. The HYPOCRISY influences become more obvious on the slower, keyboard parts, as in the beginning of Torchbearer, which then turns into Black Metal, in the style of the old DIMMU BORGIR before they became merely a Burger. The songwriting is very good, with lots of good arrangements, high-class riffs and melodies, played with brutal power and the technical abilities needed. The only criticism may be the length of the songs, some are simply too long. The failure of this CD is the song Final State 2 (Last Entry) which sounds like PARADISE LOST and TYPE O NEGATIVE met after a hard day of cattle breeding at the Marlboro-Men-Camp, and instantly start crying for their girlfriends far away. Sorry guys, I hate ballads. The last track In The Dark Midst Of Winter is the kind of Classic Metal-Folk-crossover I usually dislike, maybe because I simply don't understand it, but after all, it bores me, though I know that there are multitudes of people who couldn't live without it. Then we have about 28 minutes of bright silence before the hidden-track. 28 minutes!! The track itself sounds like there are some guys who once went to an EBM Party, then bought a computer and said: 'We can do it better'!. Well, folks, you can't. The track is definitely not worth waiting for or skip 28 minutes, not even 28 seconds. They simply spoil the good impression I had of this band with such bullshit! Concentrate on the music, not on the gimmicks!

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Organ Magazine - (UK)
jMore faster than fast demonic death/black metal. Pulverised seem to be good at selecting their bands. Unmoored, like Thy Primordial, are rather good at what they do; there's a genuine quality here, Unmoored play with colour. If you're into the scene then Pulverised have some quality bands (and lets be honest here, there are a lot of really bad death/black metal bands making some awfully substandard albums and drowning them in noise to hide the lack of talent). Unmored are pushing themselves with their almost progressive time signatures, if only they didn't have the tiresome vocal style and the desire to fill up every tiny little space with irritating speed metal guitar widdle - like we just said a minutes ago, if you're in to the genre this is top stuff, they could do so much more if they had the guts to break out of their pigeonhole.

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Dawn Of The Apocalypse Webzine - (Singapore) Rating : 7/10
"Kingdoms of Greed" is the second album from these Swedes . Recorded in the Studio Abyss under the watchful eyes of Tommy Tägtgren , this album is a rather drastic turn around from their earlier release "Cimmerian" . Although still retaining their death metal sound , the band has this time around selected a faster yet more melodic approach to their music . Sounding much like early In Flames & Dawn , this band most certainly has the capabilities to make it big ... Incorporating a mixture of both death & black vox in their music , retaining their technicality through raging in between melodic elements ... On first listen , this is a rather memorable album but on repeated listens it may turn out to be just another melodic Swedish album ... sad to say though this is the case with me & most other Swedish melodic albums . There is however 1 track which really made me sit up & pay attention amidst all the buzzing .. that is Track 5 entitled "Final State II (Last Entry)" I believe it is a continuation of a song from their debut ... anyway , why couldn't the band have made more songs in this vein ? pity ... 'Final State II' is the ballad amongst all the other faster tracks & it really gets you into a cosy mood on a cold & wet night . Perfect for sitting up in front of the fire place roasting your marshmellows ... man how much I dig this song ! This album will remain in my collection just for this song alone ... but besides that did you guys take a good look at the cover ? I know the one shown above is a different one , but the first release of this album came (by mistake) with exactly the same artwork as Pestilence's Spheres album ... man isn't that a rare find ? see if you guys can get a hold of that copy ... happy hunting !

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Golden Lake Productions - (Scotland), review by Fraser McGartland 7/10
This was recorded at Abyss studios, so it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that Unmoored have a strong Hypocrisy sound in their music. As you would expect, the production is heavy as hell and the band have a lot more to offer than Hypocrisy in my opinion. Their music has so many more dynamics and mood swings that hold my interest for longer than most Hypocrisy albums. Like a typical Swedish band, the musicianship is slick and the song writing is fairly accomplished although some songs can be a little predictable with repeat verses and choruses etc. Highlights for me are "Tellurian Crown" and "Thrown Off The Scent" which showcase some of the band's more mature song structures. The band have shown with this release that they can compete with the bigger names, perhaps in the future they can take things a step further and pave a path of their own, as they have the ability to set the pace.

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Hard Roxx Online - (UK) 7/10 Matthew Honey
The band is fronted by writer, vocalist and guitarist Christian Alvestam (aren't parents cruel!) who although being extremely talented still has a little way to go before his aspirations are matched by his ability. The music is less brutal than most with the emphasis on more dynamic song structures. This works best to the band's advantage on tracks like 'Tellurian Crown' and 'Thrown Off The Scent' although this may not be to some hardcore death fans' tastes. What will be to their tastes is the powerhouse drumming of stand in drummer Jocke Petersson (Thy Primordial/Dawn) who does the speed stuff with ease and rarely falls into pit pat mode. Christian has a very clear death grunt which he abandons totally on two tracks 'Final State Part II (Last Entry)' and 'In The Dark Midst Of Winter' to stunning effect. 'Final State Part II (Last Entry)' is done in true Goth style and could have come off a Type O Negative album whilst 'In The Dark Midst Of Winter' is a beautiful ballad played to violin and acoustic guitar and ends the album in style. Well worth checking out if you like your death with music.

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
666 Metal - (USA)
Looking for some high quality Swedish death metal? Then you definitely should check out Unmoored, who have shown on their second album that they are not just a face in the crowd of Swedish bands. I have yet to hear "Cimmerian", but from what I've heard, this album is a great improvement. I seemed to hear alot of Hypocrisy similarities upon first listen, but this band is much more than a clone. There is actually a great number of influences in this album, ranging from all walks of metal. The best thing about this album is its ability to blend sheer brutality with melody. You are immediately pummelled by the opening track "Feral Blaze", which has more of a speedy old school death metal feel to it than anything. "Tellurian Crown" opens up along the same root but then the amazing clean vocals take over, along with a great melody line. The technical onslaught continues through "Self-Invoked" and the epic "Torchbearer". The surprise comes in next as "Final State Part 2". This is a great ballad with all clean vocals, also very emotional and depressing. Next up, there are two more awesome songs in the death metal vein and finishing off with yet another ballad-type song "In the Dark Mist of Winter", which is just as good as "Final State". There is a rather weird song hidden at the end, but I'm not really considering that. Overall, if you like aggressive melodic death metal, you should get ahold of this album. Its too bad I just heard about this album, it definitely would have been in my top 5 of 2000...its THAT good. (Review by Kyle Mcginn)

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Oskorei Magazine - (Norway)
It starts out like a pure Swedish Death Metal album, but it turns out to be something more than just that. It turns out to be something very catchy, very good and highly well produced. A nice blend of Black and Death Metal resulting in a melodic Death Metal oriented music style with so many cool riffs and vocal parts that you almost get furious listening to this. It's not only the typical Death Metal growls, but also a more harmony filled clean vocal parts moving towards the alternative/progressive...I must admit that some of the parts on this CD reminds me a lot of the latest Borknagar album, the vocals especially. Unmoored is without a doubt a band with a bright future and this CD is just filled with potential. What is a good band with potential? It's something that's gonna be huge soon...

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
The Catalyst Newspaper (USA)
It is really amazingly cool when you buy an album you have no idea about ahead of time, and it turns out to be one of those discs that just never leaves the CD player. Unmoored's Pulverised Records' release "Kingdoms Of Greed" is just one of these albums. Playing their music in a definitively Swedish style with Abyss Studio production and a sound similar to that of more recent Hypocrisy, though somewhat heavier, the album just doesn't seem to get old. Some of the tracks end up feeling like very punishing, though thoughtful melodic black metal, while others have a serious death metal bend to them. Moreover, the band effectively utilizes both clean vocals and violins on some tracks. Neither of these instrument choices ever dominates the focus of the songs, though "Final State Part II (Last Entry)" surely benefits from the interesting, cleanly sung sections, making it sound both epic and poignant at the same time. Excellent tracks on "Kingdoms Of Greed" include "Thrown Off The Scent" and "Milestone", both of which are unrelenting, heavy, and well-crafted (the latter being one of the best songs I have heard in a good long while), and the diabolical black metal tune "Self-Invoked" with a very scary, brief chorus. In addition to the fact that Unmoored has penned some truly mature and valuable material on this disc, the band has also chosen to write intelligent lyrics that go well beyond those that are signature to metal. The care with which the band has put "Kingdoms Of Greed" together is refreshing. Every detail, from packaging to sound bites from appropriate horror movies to choices of instruments and vocal styles, is meticulos, and it all works wonderfully. (Pete Johnston)

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
The Metal Observer (Germany)
Aah, this CD almost has already won, because such an awesome Seagrave-cover cannot crown a weak album... But let's take a look at the ingredients. On their second album, they now seem to have found their style: Death Metal, between slow-paced/melodic and varied brutality, I would say. Mostly they vary brutal up-tempo-parts with melodic passages, which more than once remind me of HYPOCRISY, where you may also find some clean vocals here and there ("Tellurian Crown") or a traditional Heavy Metal-riff ("Self-Invoked"). The highlights are the slow-paced and highly melodic "Final State Part II (Last Entry)", completely equipped with a nice, clean voice, and "Thrown Off The Scent", which starts out with an acoustic guitar and violin, just to change into a roller-coaster of atmospheres and grades of brutality, sometimes with highly melodious guitars, oriental melody-lines and the necessary piece of heaviness. But also the closing "In The Dark Midst Of Winter" has to be mentioned, that at first starts out balladesque, with violin, acoustic guitars, clean vocals and light keyboards. Then follows a 30-minute-break (!), before you suddenly are confronted with a Dancefloor/Techno-melody with beat, which almost made me reach out for the "Stop"-button, but still I told myself that I'd have to go through with it. Well, what followed then was surprisingly something you indeed could listen to, indeed is good! Crunchy guitars, Death-vocals, a little keyboard with drum-computer and you have a track that is absolutely untypical, but I still like :) So, just like with their debut "Cimmerian" UNMOORED have managed to create a very diverse Death Metal-album that doesn't need to hide behind the genre-greats.
Pulverised Record - 7.5/10

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Metalnorth Webzine (Sweden)
They´re heeeree!! Second coming for UNMOORED, and what a storm they whipped up for us! I wasn´t a fan since I´ve like never heard the first album, so I didn´t have any expectations (figures huh!?). Kuntz sent me 2 "one-minute-clips" from this album and I was completely mesmerized to say the least. UNMOORED resembles a bit with WITHERED BEAUTY whom released an album on NUCLEAR BLAST a couple of years ago, they have the same "style" in a way, with the differance that UNMOORED is way extremer than W.B ever was. "Kingdoms of greed" is ,shortly put, a mix of everything that has ever popped up within the metal-scene. Brutal death metal and more melodical tunes that tend to get too "happy" now and then....I mean...just listen to "Self-invoked" which is one of the best tracks ever, and suddenly in comes some retarded IN FLAMES-riff..*sigh*...well, guess you could say "too good to be true" eh!? "Kingdoms of greed" has earned it´s place among the few bunch of favourite-albums in my record-collection with it´s lack of total screw-up´s which are more or less always present nowadays. You can easily listen through the whole album without feeling that it lacked something, or got boring, it just...flows....(oh! how poetic..)...and somehow you manage to find out more and more vibes with every listening. I strongly urge you to buy it, it has something for everyone. Not to forget the bonus-track!!...satanic techno kicks fucking ass!! 8.5/10 (MrB - Metalnorth Webzine)

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Swedish Metal (Sweden)
The swedish death metal scene is getting really strong, once again. Unmoored is a proof of that. This band is not playing the usual kind of Stockholm-oriented metal of death. I'd like to say that this act has more in comon with Finspångs finest, Edge Of Sanity, than Entombed and Dismember. "Kingsdoms Of Greed" is for sure a little goodie bag where you can find differrent kind of snacks. Yep, we are talking about brutal, melodic, soft and grinding death metal, all very well performed. The vocalist Christian (!) is lika a new born Dan Swanö. This Robert Karlsson (P-T-M/E.O.S.) look-a-like sure knows how to use his throat! This guy does it all - everything from grunts to clean vocals. Two thumbs up, man! If you are into variated death metal with good production - than this is an album you just have to get. 7 of 10 Dennis - June - 2001

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Vae Solis Webmagazine Russia - rating: 5, 5 of 6
It started as typical Swedish black metal in the vein of such as DARK FUNERAL or SACRAMENTUM, however later on I've figured out it's different. Slightly or not? I guess, MORE THAN JUST SLIGHTLY. Due to the fact "Kingdoms Of Greed" features rather untypical harmonies, also being quite strangely structured, it definitely stands against the background of majority of those who blindly clone the all-time emperors (like MARDUK, DISSECTION or AT THE GATES, for example). Adding some keyboards here and there as well as nearly astounding "clean" vocals, UNMOORED manage to come forth as somewhat even innovative and original band, possessing distinctive sound of their own. The only thing I can cavil it goes for "clean" voice: wish I could hear more… Those who're fond of listening to Swedish black metal, though still craving for difference, undoubtedly HAVE TO check this out. (Herr Stalhammar)

UNMOORED "Kingdoms of Greed" CD
Diabolical Art Magazine (Poland)
THE NEWEST POSITION ON PULVERISED REC. IS SWEDISH UNMOORED. I HAVEN`T HEARD THEM BEFORE BUT THEY HAVE IN THEIR BIOGRAPHY 3 DEMOS AND ONE DEBUT ALBUM CALLED "CIMMERIAN"-WAS RECORDED AND RELEASED ON 1997 WITH TOMAS SKOGSBERG (WHO DOSEN`T KNOW THIS MAN) BUT THIS TIME ALL MATERIAL WAS RECORDED AND PRODUCED WITH PETER`S BROTHER TOMMY TÄGTGREN AT ABYSS. THIS IS CLASSIC SWEDISH DEATH METAL CD WITH A LOT OF ALL GOOD OLD MOMENTS IN THE VEIN OF DISMEMBER, ENOMBED, CARNAGE... AND TECHNICLY LIKE ARCH ENEMY. ALSO UNMOORED USED MANY OF CHANGE STYLE,TEMPO WHICH IS VERY NICE TO HEAR IT. KINGDOMS CONTAINS 8 TRACK AND I MUST SAY THAT THIS IS AMAZING ALBUM. ALSO WE CAN HEAR SOME PARTS WITH USED PIANO, KEYBORD AND EVEN VIOLIN!!! BUT DON`T THINK THAT THIS IS NEXT COMMERCE AND NOT INTERESTED BAND. THIS SWEDISH PRESENT FAST AND MIGHTY PIECE OF GOOD STUFF. I WHISH THEM ALL THE BEST AND WAITING FOR NEXT ALBUM.

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Deadwebzine (Ukraine) - 10 of 10 skulls!!!!!!
UNMOORED -death metal band from sweden. it's their second album. All songs are unboring, quite the reverse - diverse and have many temp changes.Brutal drums part are great.(drums performed by Jocke Pettersson (thy primordial/dawn). let's try track by track:
1. feral blaze - a brutal death metal song
2. Tellurian Crown- death with clearn male voc. check on Ancient CEremonies #5 CD
3. Self-invoked - brutal stuff , a little reminds me of deicide.
4. Torchbearer - cool song , made in memory of the victims of heavens gate with touch of black metal and nocturnus'ish keyboards on background.
5. final state part 2 (last entry)- a death metal ballad!
6.thrown off the scent - violin and tambourine on intro : after starting brutal death/black attack!
7. MILESTONE - death metal song with touch of black , cool temp changes, solos and keyboards.
8. in the dark midst of winter - accoustic stuff , with keyboards , violin, clearn male voc and (of couse) accoustic guitars. CD-run-time is more than 70 min , but there is a 30 min of silence recorded on. In last 4 min you can find a techno/black "song"... ...this album stands upon the Crowd of other swedish boring bands. album is good. you can find it at your local store or at pulverised mail order. good luck unmoored on swedish death metal front!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Tragenda webzine (Italy) - 5-/6
Quite strange second album from Unmoored. Recorded at Abyss Studios, basically it is a death metal album quite near to bands like Hypocrisy but within the songs you'll find alot of influences. But to let you undertand better I think it's more suitable explain something about every track of this "Kingdoms of Greed". "Feral Blaze" and "Self Invoked" are death metal songs with a killing drumming (played by Jocke Petterson from labelmates Thy Primordial)...really brutal songs! "Tellurian Crown" start always from death metal but within it have an interesting clean vocals chorus, "Torchbearer", in my opinion the best track of this album, could be defined like -Samael meet Swedish black/death metal- and it contains some interesting keyboards parts, "Final State pt II" is a gothic song with good clean vocals and agood melody "Thrown off the Scent" and "Milestone" are a bit more influenced from melodic death metal and have some really great riffs and "In the Dark Midst of Winter" is a melancholic song based on acoustic guitar and violin and on the clean vocals..an interesting song even if the vocalist is not Mikael Akerfeldt...eh eh, but surprise! after about 30 min. of silence the song restart as a kind of brutal techno music! You got an headache ? Me too! Anyway an extremely interesting album with good ideas but also with some average parts (quite few, fortunately!). Great layout also! (Strenuus)

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Lord Severance Metal Domain (USA)
Once in a while comes along a band that no one really knows of, but they should. The last time I got this feeling was with Norway's Pale Forest. Now some months later another band comes into my life which I hope will receive worldwide recognition. This band is Unmoored. Take the better parts of Hypocrisy, Edge Of Sanity and Dimmu Borgir and you might get an idea of Unmoored. Intense riffing mixed with excellent vocals and song structures are their greatest strength. At times well crafted death metal, other times, well executed black metal. makes an interesting combination. With all the chaos and aggression spewed forth from this release it's actually the "ballad" Final State Part II which is the breadwinner for me. Don't be fooled though, Unmoored can thrash with the best of em and I really hope that any of you that are reading this will seek out this diamond in the rough. I can assure you that any effort you put into getting this release will be worth it ten fold.

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
Chronicles Of Chaos (UK) - by Alvin Wee (7 out of 10)
Obviously trying harder than ever to make up for the flop that was their debut album, Unmoored are back with a vengeance, sporting an album that's surprisingly good. This time round, Unmoored buck the annoying hardcore-ish elements of their debut in favour of a semi-technical death/thrash slant, a step many Swedish bands have taken in the past year or so. While not as overly progressive as Theory in Practice, _Kingdoms Of Greed_ isn't exactly easy-listening material either. "Feral Blaze" kicks things off rather ferociously, Christian Alvestam's vicious rasping over grinding guitars a lot more appealing than his previous semi-shouting style. Session skins-pounder Jocke whips up a venerable cacophony of nifty rhythms, while the guitars weave an atonal web of death/thrash riffage interspersed with scorching leads and keyboard epicness. As if to display their knack for melody, "Final State Pt. II" boasts an intro lead worthy of a good (read: early) In Flames album, while screamer Christian busts out his clear singing in a brave show. A ballad of sorts, it's mighty impressive and a welcome break from the disharmony of the previous tracks. Things remain rather thrashy throughout the album, with occasional flashes of brilliance and all-round impeccable musicianship. Unmoored have an arduous climb ahead of them after last album's transgressions, but _K.O.G_ should serve as a mighty push in the right direction. The music is far more original than the cover (ever seen Pestilence's _Spheres_?) and makes for many rewarding listens.

UNMOORED "Kingdoms of Greed" CD
The RRCA (Canada) - Grade: 9/10
WOW! I like this disc so much more then their last one it's hard to describe in words! A brutal heavy duty recording with super beats and deathly growls for vocals! Cool art on the CD too! My hat goes off to the producer for that last track which features the listed track then a long pause (that could have been a bit shorter but I guess that's what fast forward buttons are for) only to discover a hidden song with a heavy dance/industrial style (not unlike Demacretia's work). The producer was right in hiding that as it would have upset the feel of the rest of the record but I'm still glad it was included and hope these guys consider making a whole album with tracks like that! One complaint - please make the vocals clearer next time. A pleasant surprise - keep up the good work.

UNMOORED "Kingdoms Of Greed" CD
IE2K (Brazil)
Of course when we buy a cd the very first thing we look at, is the front cover right?! (laughs) So you answer...yeah that's it ! (laughs)...and the one from this 'Kingdoms of Greed', is something to let you 'open mouthed' for some minutes (I'm not kidding). Firstable, I have to say this one was draw by nothing less than Dan SeaGrave and this rocks really !.You can call me a saudosist, you know, that glorious death metal period, when I had long hair and was revolted, wanting to kill everyone I saw; for sure those times are over...but there are still reminescences from that era on my mind. It was good to see a new artwork from Dan, his capacity of creation had not changed really. Well, well, about Unmoored, this is the first album from them to me, therefore I won't make comparisions here, this one begins very 'Hypocrising'...but soon, to speak to the point, from the sixth track and front, the cd is more Unmoored, swedishing guitars...mid to fast rythms...and well used atmo acoustic voyages...'Thrown off the Scent' and 'Milestone' are my faves. The clean vocals could be better, mainly in the fifth track and the 'Hypocrisy-liking' could be more hidden or camouflated, but nothing we could take off the merits of these guys...in my opinion they succeed in be better than the own Hypocrisy in some moments. A 'worth to mention fact?!" was that in the last track...(those kinda tracks with blank minutes, ya know?! I hate this !!!)...they included electro beats...that in the final sounded cool, but 're-thinking', if these guys did this 7 years ago they would be called betrayers or something like that and I would burn at the same time this disc, but they are lucky enough,'cos I'm not that hateful anymore...think I'm getting too old (laughs)

UNMOORED "Cimmerian" CD
Ballbuster Magazine - (USA) by Paul Hanson
Without a doubt, this will be in my top 10 of 2000. From track 1 to track 9, this band kicks off heavy track after heavy track. The lyrics are emotional ("Final State"), confrontational ("Trendmade Bitch," which includes the line "Trendmade bitch/ Rip off whore/ You make me want to fucking puke"), and matter-of-fact acceptance of the past ("Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" which includes the lyrics "It's all the same to me now/ It doesn't really matter what will come/ I might as well just close my eyes/ and face what I have done.") The drumming of Niclas Wahlen is superb, but, sadly, the dude has left the band, according to an email from band member Christian Alvestam. Now this gets tricky: the band is from Sweden, but the label, Pulverized, is based in Singapore.

UNMOORED "Cimmerian" CD
Metalnorth Webzine (Sweden)
Perhaps I am playing some favoritism here, maybe I am out of line when writing this review. But it doesn't matter... UNMOORED is definately one of my favourite bands right now and most likely one of Swedens best Deathmetal bands at the moment. This album, "Cimmerian", is recorded in late November -97, however, released in -99. Well, nobody's ever blamed Pulverised for being fast, right? This is deathmetal, with a touch of some of the ENTOMBED sound, though perhaps that might have to do with the fact that it is recorded in Sunlight Studios and produced by Thomas Skogsberg. Though when thinking about it, ENTOMBED's Wolverine Blues might have been an inspiration for these guys, at least when it comes to some of the song-arrangements. So, deathmetal... but the music is widely varied, just when you expect a blast-beat, the song makes a full turn and suprises you with a melodic guitar piece or something similar. And the most suprising part is that is very well done. Sure, you'll get suprised, but in a "wow, I never expected this, but it's cool and it works" kind of way. Mr. Älvestam does most of the work on this album and he does it with brilliance. The first time I listened to the album, I was taken by the mans voice. Not only does he have a great grunt/growl/scream, but he can actually sing clean vocals as well, and he does it very good. I applaud you, Mr. Älvestam, thank you for this great album... And to the rest of you: Go buy this album... Rock n' Deathmetal, damnit... 9/10 (Johansson - Metalnorth Webzine)

UNMOORED "Cimmerian" CD
YAZ Magazine - (UK)
We're there! Last in the batch is Unmoored with Cimmerian. The accompanying bio has this one pegged as extending the melodic death metal genre. Dunno about that. This one brings Entombed to my mind. It's not hyper speed, there's melodies, and almost that rock'n'roll swagger. The production helps. The guitars are nice rich, cripsy and in your face. Yeah, THIS ONE I like. The vocals are growled but growled in an understandable manner. There's more of an obvious groove to this than pretty much all the others that have gone before. And the opening track, Trendmade Bitch, with it's lyrics such as "what makes you think you're so fucking special?; You trademark wearing parasite superbitch; When your so called standards are merely fake, yeah!; You identity seeking bloodsucking witch" are a bit more contemporary than a lot that's gone before. Down at Zero ups the tempo, but falls short of trying to break the landspeed drumming record, and manages to break down to a more melodic part again and some passable singing on the chorus, and a chorus that actually is a chorus. Course that may be blasphemy (sorry!) for death metal purists, but it don't half make it more enjoyable to listen to. This really is more like it. Meanwhile Blood By Tragedy has a really weirdly played opening riff, all the wrong time it seems, and I'm sure it's disguising a disfigured version of Iron Maiden's Wasted Years riff. It soon disappears, but it's caught my attention. And there's more of that singing lark during the chorus. Yesss! We're chugging now. It's turned into spot a riff, as there's a nice thick chuggy one that earlier days Metallica would've liked and a harmony guitar duel the Maiden would've liked. And they continue to throw out some cool riffs during the likes of Warsong (which has a rather nice melodic vocal in there, I think though I know I'm way off the mark, there's a touch of the new melodic Nick Holmes going on in there.). It's not entirely original, nothing is these days. It's how you package it, how you throw your slant on it, and Unmoored are doing it pretty well. Mind you, when I thought I heard them singing "virtual insanity" on Solution _45 I had to doubletake to make sure they weren't doing a Jamiroquai cover. Luckily they're not, it's actually "virtue in insanity". Ah well, how many death metal reviews manage to mention Jamiroquai eh? Twice at that! Hehe. And they leave in fine style with closing track Final State, all melodies singing and an acoustic guitar to take us out. Yeah.I swear this is how it worked out. I placed this lot in a pile and worked my way through them, and wouldn't you just know that the best was saved 'till last. Bloody typical.

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