Review Summary: Nothing new under the sun.
Ironically named after an Adema album, Unstable resurrects early 2000s nu-metal successfully. Tetrarch sounds like a copy of a copy of a copy, and while songs are catchy, creativity is particularly missing. Unstable is too reliant on nostalgia, having the “creepy” guitar notes expected from Korn and Adema, and some songs borrow heavily from Slipknot. Considering Korn is active, and Adema have recently been busy, Unstable feels like an unnecessary release. Bands tend to have a trademark to their style, but Tetrarch’s is not grown. Tetrarch’s mainstream nu-metal sound is predictable to a fault, and staying within their comfort zone, they fail to have a unique voice. The horribly generic lyrics don’t help either.
Negative points aside, there’s still much that Tetrarch bring to the table. Unstable is similar to a generic action movie, giving the calculable violent scenes efficiently, despite sacrificing originality at the altar of Korn. Choruses are ripped out of the sacred nu-metal book: unapologetic garden variety hooks that generally hit the mark. Tetrarch certainly appear as a spiritual successor to Adema, with their consistent brashness entertaining gleefully. Unstable is consistently catchy, with enough spunky riffs and smooth melodies to almost be reminiscent of Trust Company’s album, The Lonely Position of Neutral. The harsh/clean vocals also do their part well enough. The harsh vocals are impactful, and surprisingly prolific for a mainstream styled album. Singing itself is noticeably nasally here, yet nonetheless solid, sounding like a combination of old Adema, Linkin Park, and a superior version of the current Three Days Grace singer.
The band’s leanings towards mainstream nu-metal ultimately pays off, but only in small portions. These type of riffs have been played a thousand times before, the bands Red, and Love and Death would certainly know. Unstable is a decent take on an ancient formula, but I can’t help wondering why they even bothered. Their music can entertain for so long, before the listener will abandon ship and retreat back to Korn. Still, those waiting for new Korn tracks, or looking for a heavy, sing-along album may find Unstable an enjoyable diversion for a time.
