YouTube video by AFTER SALEM (Formerly Absalem)

Cada lunes llega la compilación de las minicríticas de discos y singles compartidas en las distintas redes sociales (elchayi) durante la semana anterior. Cualquier música, cualquier estilo. Protago…

Dos de dos. El pasado viernes acudíamos a la presentación del nuevo álbum de Beast Inside y, antes casi de darnos cuenta, nos volvíamos ver las caras con nuestra querida Gong para ver cómo Unexpect…

Previo paso esta mismo fin de semana por A Coruña y Vigo los ovetenses Unexpectance regresan a casa para presentar su nueva obra de estudio «Solus Ipse» (reseña). La cita tendrá lugar el sábado 18 …

“Solus Ipse” es el tercer largo en la trayectoria de los asturianos Unexpectance y trae consigo algún cambio que otro. El más notorio, el que ahora lleva a Vaan a encargarse de las tareas vocales. …

La escena astur no se detiene ni descansa. En las últimas fechas Sacavera, Unexpectance y Caballo Moldavo destapan nuevo material para anticipar sus próximos discos. Inconformistas y críticos con l…

Tripartito con el metal moderno como nexo en común el que protagonizarán el próximo viernes 16 de mayo en el ovetense Gong Galaxy Club los andaluces Bolu2 Death, el combo madrileño Fallen At Dawn y…

Nueva fecha en vivo para el combo groove Soundcrush dentro de la presentación de «The Hunt» su nueva obra de estudio (reseña). La cita que tendrá lugar el próximo viernes 7 de marzo en la ovetense …

Unexpectance presenta su nuevo videoclip de su canción titulada “Moniji”. Esta canción será un adelanto de lo que será nuestro tercer álbum conceptual. Producido y realizado por Noelia Amieva. En pala...

YouTube video by Unexpectance

Spanish metalcore/melodeath quintet Unexpectance lived up to their name when I encountered them for the first time in 2022, boasting a remarkably meaty and riff-packed assault on their sophomore effort Vortex. After recruiting a new drummer, a new vocalist, and a new lead guitarist, their upcoming salvo Solus Ipse threatens to sound quite a bit different, despite tapping similar Dante-centric philosophical wells for its theme. This potential shift didn’t hamper my interest, however, as their chunky, groovy songwriting held up quite well over time. Considering Unexpectance’s rhythm guitarist and bassist both carry over from the last lineup, I have no reason to believe that solid backbone incurred any serious injury. The same can’t be said for my backbone, after spending some quality time with Solus Ipse. These Spaniards still understand what it means to groove, and groove hard. While Solus Ipse certainly leans heavier into the metalcore side of Unexpectance’s sound, perhaps to its detriment especially in regards to the new higher register screams, Unexpectance still know their way around hooks, riffs, and momentum. Reeking of Orbit Culture restlessness, Aeternam-esque melodicism and verve, and embellished by ominous trem-picked leads—some of which, oddly enough, resemble those singled out refrains which made Unfathomable Ruination’s Finitude so compelling (“Hybris”)—Solus Ipse’s sycopated patterns and chunky stop-starts play companion to blistering barrages of double-bass-backed ballistics. Sealing the deal, and representing my favorite aspect of Unexpectance’s sound, the entire record is presented in Spanish, with nary a syllable of English to mar the experience. I may not understand what I’m hearing nearly as well (yet), but the effectiveness of Spanish’s cadence and character in this context is undeniable. I also can’t deny Unexpectance’s ability to craft dynamic, crunchy, and satisfying tunes when all the pieces fall into place. Especially in the back half, Solus Ipse is a clinic in effervescent energy, crushing riffs, and rabid pacing (“Netamorpha,” “Ethos,” “Samsara,” and “Hybris”). In fact, I’d say these three attributes are Solus Ipse’s core strengths, as early highlights “Momji,” “Ataraxia,” and “Gnosis” successfully conjure the same neck-snapping momentum. Those early cuts communicate that momentum through more overt metalcore language, whereas the back end swings the pendulum a little closer to boisterous melodic death metal (“Empíreo”). Through it all, Unexpectance’s lead guitar steals the show, brilliantly weaving melodies in and out of bulky riffs and chuggy breakdowns as if they weren’t obstacles to evade, but rather partners to unite in a destructive dance (“Momji,” “Gnosis,” “Ethos,” “Hybris”). Unexpectance’s ability to walk a tightrope between similar, but distinct, styles showcases their maturity and versatility as writers, but Solus Ipse as a whole isn’t as strong as previous efforts. The primary aspect that gets in my way of enjoying this entertaining back and forth more are, unfortunately, the vocals. I miss the greater dominance of deeper growls and mid-pitch roars that pervaded Vortex. While they feature here frequently, those higher-pitched screams—while admirably performed and brimming with piss and vinegar—feel not just more prevalent, but also much more monotonous, and thereby create a fair amount of drag. In other areas, Solus Ipse is a touch more repetitive and less cohesive, rhythmically speaking, compared to the never-ending cavalcade of twists and tempos that Vortex effortlessly wrangled. Most easily heard in opening duo, “Sophrosyne” and “Momji,” this kind of weak point forces the impression that I must choose between options to either keep or discard on future spins. I would much rather feel compelled to adopt every track. Following up a contender like Vortex always posed a daunting proposition. Considering the various lineup changes and the 4-year gap between releases, what Solus Ipse accomplishes is admirable. Unexpectance remains an act to watch, as they routinely offer songwriting that either moves the needle for the style or holds great potential to do so with a little more massaging. A ton of great ideas populate Solus Ipse, but the overall product lacks the same consistent hype-worthy quality of the previous installment. Still, it’s worth checking out at least once, even if you aren’t necessarily a fan of the style.  --- Rating: Mixed DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: PCM Label: Self Released Websites: unexpectance.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/unexpectance Releases Worldwide: January 15th, 2026 The post Unexpectance – Solus Ipse appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.

Unexpectance, Vulnificus, Subjugated, Archaic Thorn, Mary Was a Machine, Golgotha, Dying Remains, Helix Noire, Unpunished, Dysentery.

“Solus Ipse” es el tercer largo en la trayectoria de los asturianos Unexpectance y trae consigo algún cambio que otro. El más notorio, el que ahora lleva a Vaan a encargarse de las tareas vocales. …