Unto Others announce new album "Never, Neverland"
Portland, Oregon's Unto Others have spent their seasons in the abyss and arise from the other side with their third full-length and Century Media debut “Never, Neverland” out on 20 September 2024, and is available to pre-order now HERE.
When writing began for the record, Unto Others' Gabriel Franco & Co. were staggering away from two years of post-pandemic touring and personal hells. Not only did they survive that time, they also came back stronger and more resolute than ever. “My goal was to push this thing so hard that more people know us as Unto Others,” says Franco, alluding to the band’s moniker shift from Idle Hands. But hard work came with a price: “At the end of it, I was burnt out, full of anxiety and raw nerves," Franco relates. That ineffable pressure funnelled itself into what became the foundation for Never, Neverland. Signing with Century Media and hiring British producer Tom Dalgety (Ghost, The Cult), what began as an exaltation of exhaustion blossomed into the band’s most diverse and fulfilled work to date.
“Never, Neverland” is equally dreamy while never letting go of the energy and darkness that is Unto Others. It’s a record that owes as much to The Cure as it does to self-professed influences like The Sisters Of Mercy and Iron Maiden. Simply put: this is the record where Unto Others prove themselves far more than just a one-trick, blackened steed, but instead, a band on the verge of something wickedly terrible and utterly timeless.
“Never, Neverland's” majestic new single Angel Of The Night is out now. Franco comments: "I've always wanted to do a power ballad, and I think this might be the closest we ever get. A goth power ballad maybe. Sebastian’s [Silva, guitarist] solo in this one is my favourite of the record. He really did a phenomenal job.”
You can check out the video for Angel Of The Night below:
“Never, Neverland” also marks a new epoch for Unto Others (rounded out by guitarist Sebastian Silva, bassist Brandon Hill and drummer Colin Vranizan). Having emerged in 2017, the band turned heads with the “Don't Waste Your Time” EP, followed by the beloved 2019 full length “Mana” and 2021's heavy hitting “Strength” LP. Now, Unto Others build upon the seductive and beguiling foundation they've hewn out of a bedrock of goth, classic rock, punk, black metal and heavy metal.
“Mana and Strength can almost be pushed together,” Franco reflects on how “Never, Neverland” differs from its predecessors. “I had an iron grip over those albums. Every beat needed to be where I wanted it and how I wanted it to sound. With this one, I took a much looser approach and gave the band members a lot more input. This is the first record with Brandon doing backup vocals instead of myself. Even though I still wrote the core of the songs, this one is a much more collaborative effort. I kind of let go of it because I realized it was killing me. And the record came out better for it. It’s the best thing we’ve ever done."
Bringing in producer Tom Dalgety for Never, Neverland was a welcome change for Franco and crew. The results of the month spent in Portland’s Falcon Studios (where they recorded Mana) with Dalgety deliver majestically on Unto Others’ shadowy promise - guitars swell and thrash with colour and shape while a newfound confidence and dimension creeps into Gabe’s vocals. “Never, Neverland” weaves a spell of its own and cements Unto Others as the reflectively-bespeckled visage of goth today.
Whether opening for the likes of extreme metal legends Carcass, Arch Enemy or Behemoth or blasting packed and sweaty rooms with traditional metal outfits like Haunt or Eternal Champion, this band never fail in grabbing the most unlikely and diverse crowds with their incendiary shadow play. Like the best of their inspirations, Unto Others isn’t merely content to plumb darkened musical shrines and narrow subgenres – Gabe’s sights are set on something bigger.
Photo (c) Artur Tarczewski
