Unfounded, Corrode

Unfounded, Corrode - Released back in 1998, the Kent based five-piece 'Unfounded' brought out their debut, six-track CD 'Corrode'. Released through the Copro Records label, the CD has rather poor production and includes some computer-generated subtle artwork.

The tracklisting is as follows:

1. Corrode

2. Cold Broken Soul

3. Dry

4. I Alone

5. Fall

6. My Only Gain

The CD starts out with a fade-in intro of an atmospheric organ accompanied by a whispering of other weird and slightly haunting sound effects creating an overall darkly ambient setting to the CD. You are then thrown into some ultra tinny hardcore nu-metal with shameful riffs and a mundane structure. The drum sound is appalling and the vocals are undeniably weak for a harsh growl. The chorus sees some 'clean' vocals that aren't too bad, but are often layered or interrupted by the poor delivery of the attempted 'heavy' vocals.

Next up is the track 'Dry'. A rather slow intro gradually bringing the listener to another track of tinny, poor production. The band sound like they're trying to create a sound somewhere between Faith No More and The Deftones. Yet again we are offered some very weak-sounding vocals in the chorus which waver around some reasonably proficient but ultimately shallow guitar work.

Track four is an atmospheric, downbeat, grunge-sounding number. The song builds towards a heavy crescendo that sees itself as the chorus. Perhaps their best song on the CD, the track has been reasonably well-produced, with vocalist Baz not trying to overreach himself with the vocals. The track includes a badly played and very poorly written guitar solo near the end that just drags on and on. All in all, the song sounds like a poorly played Linkin Park number.

Track five just brings on more of the weak vocals, which just seems to ruin the music as a whole. The track still holds that Linkin Park sound which starts to really bug the listener.

Lastly we have the short-lived track "My Only Gain". Attempting a heavy grindcore sound, the band manage to produce a weak and tinny delivery.

All in all, I would say that the group have delivered a badly produced, mundane, unoriginal CD that at best sounds like a poor and weak Linkin Park and at worst like a talentless school band trying to cover their favourite nu-metal tracks. I'm no fan of this type of rock, but it is clear to me that this really is a poor version of the genre.