Review by JD on September 10, 2012.

Sweden is a magnet for the world when it comes to anything that is even close to being metal in general. This small country next to the Black Metal Capital of the world has, and always will be, synonymously linked with in your face and very extremes of metal. Usurpress is one of those Swedish bands that just seem to explode out on to you and rip of your face in the process. You cannot ever have a try at ignoring them, as they seem to be a life unto themselves.

This foursome executes some very bestial music. They successfully integrate into their sound some very heavy as lead Sludge Metal with powerful yet original Death Metal peppered with some very nasty Crust Punk for extra rawness. This combination of metallic flavours seem odd at first glace, but they seem to mesh it all so flawlessly into a mosh pit melting pot of chaotic fury and grinding fury and complete passions.

I was impressed throughout the CD thirty four minutes it played, stopping on songs like 'The God Eaters' and 'The Wooden Sceptre' as these were stand out tracks that shows the brute strength and talent that the have. With a better hand on the recording knobs and some time to do it right as well, this could have been a 9.5 album rather than what is below.

Usurpress can match up with any act out there for musicality and aggression. The next album will show that clearly. This album comes close to letting what this band can do come out, but I think that there is more that Usurpress has to offer up - unfortunately "Trenches Of The Netherworld" does not show what this band can do. Good album never means great... got it?

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 7
Originality: 7
Overall: 7.5

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by JD on August 22, 2010.

Throughout the years...Heavy Metal has been built on just being genuine to what they are and to hell with everyone else. That is why independent metal usually is the best choice for the true diehard banger. Getting their music put out on their own label for varying reasons, Face The Unknown clearly wants that control of what they are musically doing without having it constantly diluted for others who may not understand what it is that they do. The band is the blueprint for today’s metal.

Harking back to the traditional side of metal, this UK band rocks out hard and often with varying degrees of pure power. Sounding like a wild mixture of many NWBHM bands (Maiden, Priest ect.), Gwar, Black Label Society and have this sort of vibe that is like a la Corrosion Of Conformity as well. This band clearly shows where they were spawn from, and how they are looking far forward into the ‘unknown’.

It is so clear through each and every track... these guys do have something to say and are not afraid to do just that. Tracks like the powerful 'You Can’t Save Me' to the guitar grinding explosion of 'Your Destiny'... Face The Unknown are out to convert you to their tribe. Strong yet fun lyrics are the basis of things then add in all of that amazing musicianship that keeps it fresh not to mention relevant and yet tries to blow your head off with power. Even the simpleness of the recording adds to the enjoyment factor of the album.

It is so true that Face The Unknown is pretty much a classic throwback to the heyday of metal and all that it stood for and what it was and is, yet they clearly have their feet planted in to the new millennium to forge a new chapter in Metallic history. Old rockers will appreciate the album in every way... and I am certain that newer headbangers will feel the passion and power the band has. The simple fact is that the album is a sort of bridge release so that all facets of the metal will have something that is in every way... good, powerful, strong metal that is not ashamed to be true to metalheads everywhere.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 8.5
Originality:8.5
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.2 out of 10