The Unchallenged - Sceneries

Causal Reasons
Reversal

Self-Released
2001

“Sounds like ____” is tricky business. Really, it’s best (though perhaps not for commercial purposes) to sound unique. But since that’s basically impossible, given today’s cultural forces (perhaps someone in some media-deprived locale could hit upon playing heavy metal, but I highly, highly doubt it), most musicians hope to remind listeners of something good they’ve heard before.

Which makes The Unchallenged such a, well, challenge. This German band sounds amazingly like mid-career Death. It’s all there, from the the sixteenth note riffs to the abstract harmonies to the raspy vocals. Occasionally the band busts out with thrash or power metal bits – until I remember that Chuck Schuldiner also had those influences. Death is one of my favorite bands, and it’s fascinating and heartwarming that people would duplicate that sound. But it’s also a little creepy. A tribute to the fallen, or a voice from the grave?

Originality aside, The Unchallenged bring the goods – chops aplenty, firing riffs, tight arrangements. So far, the band has only one full-length, 2001’s Sceneries. But it remains active and seeking a record deal. You can download the album for free here. Schuldiner was heading in new musical directions when he passed; I’m curious if The Unchallenged will be similarly exploratory.

Thanks to reader Joerg for turning me on to this.