UNEARTH - Buz McGrath
\r\nUnearth was formed by Trevor Phipps, Buz McGrath, Ken Susi, Mike Rudberg, and Chris Rybicki in Wakefield, Massachusetts in 1998. The band began as Point 04 (containing McGrath, Rudberg, and Rybicki), and Susi was recruited soon afterwards. The band attempted to recruit Phipps while he recovered from appendicitis, but Phipps was reluctant to join. However, when Phipps showed up to a jam session for one of Susi’s side bands, Unearth was practicing instead, and Phipps agreed to join after hearing the song "Shattered by the Sun." The name "Unearth" was reused from drummer Mike Rudberg’s old band. On the small independent label, Endless Fight Records, they released their first EP called Above the Fall of Man in May 1999. Unearth then signed to Eulogy Recordings to release The Stings of Conscience in 2001 and the Endless EP in 2002. During the process of Endless, Chris Rybicki left the group and was replaced by John Maggard.
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\r\nAfter playing tours and festivals like the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival and Ozzfest with Unearth, Mike Rudberg left the group a day after their performance at The SXSW in 2003 for the reason of playing naked during that night.[1] Also Buz McGrath left for personal problems but came back shortly after. The rest of Unearth would then use Paulie Antignai of Sworn Enemy as temporary replacement drummer and Kia Eshghi of Rumi as a touring guitarist (before Buz returned).
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\r\nWith Buz McGrath and new permanent drummer Mike Justian, of The Red Chord and previously Post-Hardcore/Screamo band Hassan I Sabbah, Unearth released The Oncoming Storm under Metal Blade Records on June 29, 2004. Shortly after, they would begin touring with Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Lamb of God for MTV’s Headbangers Ball US tour. They would also tour with Slipknot the next year. In 2005, Unearth performed in the first ever Sounds Of The Underground tour with numerous bands like Norma Jean, GWAR, and All That Remains.
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\r\nIn early 2006, they began writing their next album. After the writing process, they recorded III: In the Eyes of Fire with well-known heavy metal producer Terry Date at Seattle. This latest coup was yet another landmark in their blossoming career, a fact the band were quick to acknowledge: "Working with Terry Date is another amazing feat for us on a growing list of accomplishments". As they finished their latest album, they performed at Ozzfest for the second time, including songs from the album even though it was not destined for release until August 8, 2006. During the release, they began their headlined Sanctity of Brothers tour with Bleeding Through, Animosity, Through the Eyes of the Dead and Terror. After participating in Japan’s Loud Park festival, Unearth and Slayer toured together all around the U.S. in early 2007 on the Christ Illusion tour. They headlined a tour in the beginning of 2007 with Job for a Cowboy, Despised Icon, and DÅÅTH. They then headlined a European tour which was followed by a U.S. & Canadian tour with Dimmu Borgir, Devildriver and Kataklysm that began in the middle of April. It was during this tour that drummer Mike Justian decided to leave the band. His departure was amicable, according to other members of the band. To fill in for the rest of the tour, Gene Hoglan of Strapping Young Lad was recruited. They played in the 2007 Download Festival with Seemless/Kingdom of Sorrow/studio drummer Derek Kerswill who has since joined the band officially.
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\r\nAs of June 7th, III: In the Eyes of Fire has sold 85,000 copies in the US. The band’s new live DVD Alive from the Apocalypse was released on March 18th.
\r\nOn October 14, 2008, Unearth released their fourth album, entitled The March. The album features a re-recorded version of the song "The Chosen," which they contributed to the album Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters Colon the Soundtrack.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr had the chance to chat with Buz McGrath - guitar- who talks about The March but also a few background information about the band and their own MARCH!
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\r\nMetalzone: In 2008 you complete 10 years since your initial formation – How do you feel about that?
\r\nBuz: I think it’s a nice mile stone and a testament to our commitment and the long time support of our fans. We have seen and done more than we ever expected.
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\r\nMetalzone: Do you feel that your latest release –THE MARCH – represents the maturity you’ve gained by time’s experience?
\r\nBuz: I think it does to an extent. The structures and songwriting is more mature bit the riffs and events still have a youthfull spirit to them.
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\r\nMetalzone: Talking about THE MARCH can you tell us a few things about it and the feedback you’ve been getting so far?
\r\nBuz: It’s a simple melodic record. It’s Unearth at it’s best and if you like what we do you will love this record. The feed back and reviews have been great! It’s good to hear that people enjoy it.
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\r\nMetalzone: Please introduce the album to the listeners who haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet.
\r\nBuz: The march is melodic journey consisting of epic riffs and mosh. It’s a fun record to listen to with tons of guitar solos and other guitar heroics.
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\r\nMetalzone: What is the theme and musical direction you’ve taken in this album?
\r\nBuz: Musicaly we wanted this record to be simple structures with a lot of fun moments and memorable riffs. We have eliminated a lot of the clutter allowing trevor to deliver a greater vocal performance.
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\r\nMetalzone: How would you describe your sound? What are the trademarks that make your music stand out?
\r\nBuz: Heavy metal mosh mayhem ! Some of our trademarks are over the top leads and percussive breakdown grooves.
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\r\nMetalzone: What was the album or determinative point which you feel gave you the push you needed in order to be recognized in the metal scene? Some people feel you are the leaders of the genre NWOAHM/metalcore. Slipknot front man Cory Taylor commented about you “It’s like Anthrax and Megadeth rolled into one”.
\r\nBuz: We are just playing what we want to hear. This is the music that is In our brains. We got lucky and people got into it. It’s cool that some recognize us as one of the top bands in our particular genre.
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\r\nMetalzone: Do you feel you have created your own genre?
\r\nBuz: No, some bands may have been influenced by our sounds. But if you want to talk about originators you need to check Undying, Prayer For Cleansing, Overcast, All Out War, and Old Ccave In.
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\r\nMetalzone: What are your influences in your music?
\r\nBuz: I like a lot of scandavian metal, Inflames, Haunted, COB Arch Enemy. Dark Tranqulity these bands had a big impact on me early on when we got started. And still affect me today.
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\r\nMetalzone: Do you have any regrets concerning your career so far? Would you change anything given the chance? Maybe re record some old albums or release again re-mastered?
\r\nBuz: No not really. Maybe we should have made some better financial decisions but other than that I back most of the moves we have made. I don’t see any real possibilty of any re releases anytime soon.
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\r\nMetalzone: You are one of the heaviest touring bands around. You have made it to US, Canada, UK, Australia, South America, Mexico, Japan, Europe including the Netherlands, Russia, and infamous metal fests such as Ozzfest and Download, Rock Am Park, Rock Am Ring, Loud Park, Wacken and so on. And while doing that you’ve toured with bands like Slayer, Slipknot, Killswitch Engage, Hatebreed, Lamb of God. Do you think its hard work that’s helped you, your style, or just luck and good timing?
\r\nBuz: I think timing had a lot to do with it when you put out the right record at the right time a lot of good opportunities come your way. Combine that with a powerful show and good attitudes and you can go places. We are very lucky.
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\r\nMetalzone: Talking about touring are there any plans for a European tour? And if so does it include Greece?
\r\nBuz: No plans for Greece yet but I’m sure we will get there soon.
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\r\nMetalzone: What are your future plans? Summer festivals? DVD release?
\r\nBuz: A euro summer festival tour is in the works right now. We just released a DVD. It’s called alive from the apocalypse. Check it out
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\r\nMetalzone: Thank you very much for your time, I wish you all the best on your plans and I hope I can see you live some time soon.
\r\nBuz: Thanks
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\r\nElena Mihailidou\r\n
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