24th February 2022

Review: “Unity In Time” by Schemata Theory

“We wanted to explore the concept of connection in this new album and it’s importance in every aspect of life. Technological advancements in the 21st century have drowned us in the mass-exposure of information, revealing uncomfortable truths – and untruths – about the world and its inhabitants. As a result, it has exposed the disconnects that permeate through modern life. Digital personas and accompanying online pressures have caused human beings to dissociate from themselves. Mass production of goods & services within an economy that relies on consumption has divorced us from nature. The fear of an evolving interconnected global culture has allowed for cynicism and hatred to thrive, in turn, this has driven wedges between family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues and citizens. The irony is that all these elements of disconnect are linked, but that doesn’t diminish what a difficult task it is to turn the tides and build unity where fissures currently exist. To remain isolated and within an echo chamber is the path of least resistance, whereas to forge unity requires a significant amount of time & energy. Although the very idea of unity is appealing and easy to agree with at face value, the reality is very different. Discovering and standing in solidarity with people who are already on the same page as you is effortless. Whereas reaching out and bridging the divide with those who come from a completely different place is where the real work commences…” ~ Schemata Theory

A band with a message of unity and compassion at its heart, Schemata Theory returned to the studio to work with Justin Hill (SikTh, Heart of a Coward, Betraying The Martyrs) once more after his work with them on their well received debut album “Dry Lung Rhetoric” helped to give them the platform they needed to let their voices be heard. Combining elements of Metalcore and Post-Hardcore to create something both aggressive and anthemic Schemata Theory have taken influences from bands as diverse as Killswitch Engage and Funeral for a Friend to give themselves a sound that hangs in the balance like a hammock between two palm trees, while the wind blows gently and everything remains calm, everything is in perfect harmony for dual vocalists Myles Dyer and Luke Wright, guitarists Huw Roch and Mario Scinto and drummer Joshua Barretto. From the very start and “As Clouds Gather” which takes us from the sonics of a summers day to the storm clouds of the first track proper in “Voices“, that balance remains not only firmly intact, but perfectly weighted as the creation of socially and politically aware Metallic Post-Hardcore anthems that they specialise in flows like a river into the sea. None of the delicacies of Post-Hardcore are lost when the band decide to get abrasive and frenetic at the heavier end while the bands insistence on alternating signing and screaming vocal parts from line to line or verse to verse remains at the beating black heart of the bands offering. It’s not so much a formula as a style which Schemata Theory have made their own and it works for them phenomenally well the mixer to the spirit in the case of the driven riffs of “Prism” which rides the grooves of Pantera before the beautiful melodic mid section, the slick transition back a testament to their musicianship.

Some albums suffer from the music being second to the message and the message being over powering to the point that it’s something that’s going to get you to turn off because it comes across as being preachy but what Schemata Theory have done incredibly well is fill their lyrics with the warnings of the direction mankind could be heading in without killing the buzz of the heavy riffs, high octane energy and full fat snackability of the record. It can be a thinking mans record but it doesn’t have to be. The message is on the lyric sheet if you so desire once you’ve finished throwing your friends around in the mosh pit and that is something to be admired in how the band have gone about their work. Think “The Shape Of Punk To Come” by Refused and you get the idea. “New Vision” has a sublime Post-Hardcore lead before bursting into a visceral breakdown section accompanied by throat grating screams before taking a leaf out of the book of Stick To Your Guns, the beautiful acoustic backed samples of “Vantage Point” tells the story of the bigger picture of the need to be kind to one another and look after our planet and if STYG are in town looking for a support act, they need look no further. Those samples then feed into “Our Only Home” as it charges head long into traffic with the heavier end of what the band offer, the ear worm riffs getting you addicted to the bands music like a designer drug, the lyrics giving you something to think about once the headbanging is over. Thoughtfully created for thought provoking listening “Mirrors” is one that strikes the biggest chord as well as being the longest cut, with talk of breaking down the divisions within society in order that we can concentrate on the bigger picture. It’s very much the magnum opus of the record and not something you might expect to find within the kind of framework that the band have created for themselves, but it works so well and proves that despite being lovers of songs around the four minute mark, they have the dedication to their craft to create something more without going off the deep end. But don’t take our word for it, check it out for yourself. You won’t regret it [7.5/10]

Track listing