Vancouver straight edge band Unmoved swing hard on their new EP Demonstration, unleashing raw metallic hardcore energy but often fighting against a mix that buries some of their best ideas. Across five tracks, the band deliver jagged riffs, aggressive yet hollow-sounding drums, and distorted low-end bass that rumbles with menace. The energy is undeniable, but the uneven production keeps their intensity from cutting through as sharply as it should.
The opener, “Touch of Weakness,” sets the tone with sharp, angular riffing that recalls Pray for Plagues-era Bring Me the Horizon, before collapsing into fuzzed-out bass lines and hollow percussive crashes. The chaotic fun is there, but vocals are pushed so far back in the mix that the full ferocity doesn’t quite land. “Momentary Bliss” sharpens the dagger-like riffs further, layering dissonance and aggression, but again the low vocal presence undercuts its impact. Still, the bass surges toward the track’s end, offering a glimpse of how crushing the band could sound with more balanced production.
The quick, spastic burst of “100 Block” showcases Unmoved’s hardcore roots, with drum blasts exploding in rapid bursts. Yet once again, the buried vocals nearly vanish under the instrumentation. Thankfully, “Reformation” delivers the clearest sense of the band’s potential. It opens with a slow, heavy breakdown that gives space for sparse, crushing riffs to breathe. The bass anchors the low end with grit, while audible vocals and shouted backups finally bring a dynamic, powerful edge. It’s easily the strongest cut here.
Closing track “Driven by Fear” keeps the chaotic energy alive with jagged riffing and sharp drum fills driving the momentum. The performance is intense and commanding, but the muddy mix still keeps the vocals from cutting through with the bite they deserve.
With Demonstration, Unmoved prove they have the aggression, riffs, and straight edge conviction to carve out their place in hardcore. The EP is raw, jagged, and full of sharp ideas, but production limitations hold it back from hitting at full force. The foundation is strong, and with clearer, more balanced mixing, their next release could land with devastating power.
Demonstration is raw and jagged, bursting with conviction and chaotic energy. A solid foundation that shows promise, hinting at much heavier and sharper things to come for Unmoved.
NOTABLE TRACKS:
Touch Of Weakness
Reformation