Unparalleled Height

"Fuck yeah dudes! I really dig it! You guys definitely got some chops.. Thanks for sharing and good luck w your career" - Andy Biersack - Black Veil Brides Frontman

"great song! great band! well done!" - Andy Biersack - Black Veil Brides Frontman

"It sounds very good. Who recorded it?" - Paolo Gregoletto - Trivium Bassist

The universe of rock music is so vast that it’s difficult to know where to look in order to find your next favorite band. This independently driven quintet that comes from the outskirts of Pittsburgh wish to be heard amongst the plethora of various noises being made on this fair globe. This is their debut full length album and is a call for revolution. Is this the time for a rise of the voiceless?

Highlighting influences that range from bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Trivium and Dream Theater amongst many others, it becomes apparent that this debut album showcases more textures than you’d be expecting to find. It would be fair to say that generally expectations can be low for an independent release, but this proved to be pleasant surprise. Memories Remain, Never Far Away and Heroes Prevail showcase qualities and strengths on which the band may build in the future. The latter provides the complex progressive epic nature of what they can achieve, whilst the previous examples share their edgier and melancholy sides.

If any criticism could be aimed at Rise of the Voiceless, it’s that the whole listening experience is perhaps a little overwhelming. If the songs were shortened and more direct, then with the sincere lead vocals of Dave Kelly gliding over the material they may well be a potent proposition. Competent musicianship and the overall delivery make this band one to watch and there is no doubt regarding the chemistry.

There is fragility to Kelly’s vocal presence which is refreshing when you hear Spare This Soul and Breaking Through, which separates Unparalleled Height from the rest of the pack. Their progressive nature mixes well with the shorter tracks like Dethroned and Steadfast Spirit which both carry a prominent angst.

This is certainly a rise of the voiceless, but not perhaps the significant rise the band would have hoped for. Keep an eye out for these guys though; they’re going to go from strength to strength. - Screamer Magazine

Seeing bands like BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, and TRIVIUM in a band's description always makes me take a closer look at what these bands sound like. So, when I recently discovered UNPARALLELED HEIGHT I knew I had to give it a go and listen to their debute release Rise of the Voiceless.

In terms of production, I can't help but think about JUDAS PRIEST's Nostradamus (think whatever you like about the album but the production is quite similar). This, by the way, should not indicate what the music sounds like on Rise of the Voiceless.

The record starts off with a short intro (“The Rise”) that creates just the dark atmosphere you'd expect from an album like this. Following this is the first real song: “Strength Through Silence”. Heavy, but still melodic guitars and time changes here and there build up a rather progressive song which already makes me think of some of the already mentioned bands (during the interlude, especially BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE comes into mind).

“Memories Remain” starts with a real “in-your-face”-attitude. An AVENGED SEVENFOLD verse and riffs that could have found a place on the second KILLSWITCH ENGAGE album The End of Heartache – who couldn't like this? The only critique that could possibly be mentioned is the choruses. A little too slow and soft for my taste, but in the end this is up to everyone's own likes. However, I love the verse in “Spare This Soul” with its great drive. Makes me think of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE again (maybe they should be added in the description, too?).

One of the record's first highlights is “Breaking Through”. No matter how hard I look, I can't find anything in this song that I could criticize. The intro's heavy groove, the (at first) guitar-less verse, and this time even the chorus – this song is an absolute recommendation! In “Never Far Away” it's time to break it down a little. Acoustic guitars in the verse and the synthesizers in the background make this track a really nice rock ballad.

Enough ballads for now – or at least that's what you could think listening to the intro to “The Vision Never Dies”. But again, the verse is very balladic; although, this time it's really just the verse. What I like most about the track is the constantly played lead towards the end of the chorus that just doesn't want to leave your head. “Dethroned” – damn it, I found my favourite. The lyrics, the riffs, the solos, the breakdown (!), everything. Without protest, this HAS to be the album's best song!

Or has it? “Steadfast Spirit” starts off promising as well. The verse's riffs are heavy as hell, the chorus is just as I would want all the other choruses on the album to be – powerful and with a melody that stick to your head – and again one of the mightiest breakdowns I've heard this year (and I listened to ABR's Rescue and Restore!). Great song! “Malevolence End” just doesn't even pretend to give me the time to catch some breath. Mighty riffs, heavy grooves, TRIVIUM-like interludes, great vocals – six minutes that are more than just enjoyable.

Rise of the Voiceless closes with “Heroes Prevail” – an absolutely epic song. Starting off quite silent and balladic, it soon progresses into an (JUDAS PRIESTs Nostradamus-like) interlude and continues into an awesome rock verse. The synthesizers sometimes even remind me of Swedish band SONIC SYNDICATE's first album Eden Fire. This song doesn't offer six minutes, but ten minutes, of brilliant songwriting.

Rise of the Voiceless is a promising debute album by a band that you should definitely keep an eye on. The four songs towards the end and “Breaking Through” show the band's potential, and I can't wait to hear more of these guys.

Listen to: “Breaking Through”, “Dethroned”, “Steadfast Spirit”, “Malevolence End”, “Heroes Prevail”

8 out of 10 points - New Rock Reviews

Rise of the Voiceless was just one more album to sift through in my inbox. Until I listened to it. Then I realized that there is indeed hope in the current heavy metal landscape that is filled with bands that sound bland and interchangeable. Unparalleled Height (UPH) does NOT fall into either of these categories, and their debut album proves it.

Unparalleled Height hails from Pittsburgh, PA. Rise of The Voiceless debuted at #30 on the iTunes metal chart in November 2013. Upon first listen, you may be able to tell that their influences are definitely bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Black Veil Brides, and perhaps Bullet For My Valentine. However, the more you listen, the more you realize that the guys from UPH have something unique to offer their fans.

"Strength Through Silence" offers guitar harmonies in the intro, very Avenged Sevenfold like I might add, with elements of early Metallica especially with the tempo and time changes. "Screaming" sections are audible and the vocals have a very soft element to them as well, making the music easy to sing along to while you barrel down the highway to the drummer’s mad beats. Justin Welling is a name you are going to want to remember. His drumming on this album sets him apart from many other bands. His bass rhythms are nicely paired with quick yet precise stick work. CJ Masciantonio's guitar solo starts with a harmony but the double picking and almost electronic speeds of his furious work later on is a statement that good guitar solos add to the song, not detract from it. Tyler James Larkin provides the rhythm guitar support that is often under appreciated and underestimated. Make no mistake, Larkin's steady hold on the rhythm section along with James Davis' work on bass is what makes this album sound so tight.

"Spare This Soul"'s mellow turn at just after 3 minutes into the track catches the listener by surprise and allows the band to show us that they are not a one-trick pony. The blazing guitar work is not an ego boost for the guitarist: it allows the melodic impact of the songwriters to reign supreme over the current tendency in the music industry to shut melody down in favor of less disciplined forms of guitar work.

When you listen to "Steadfast Spirit" and "Bridges to Nowhere", you are left wondering how a human beings’ hands can move that fast with drumsticks in them and still sound tight and crisp. Welling is a machine and holds down the rhythm section while managing to stand apart from the plethora of drummers who seem to be using toms as a snare these days. (But that's a discussion for another day!)

We can't forget about the vocals. "Breaking The Chain" is in my opinion the most aggressive, vocally, on the album and it really shows the range of singer Dave Kelly's capabilities.



As we head into the final three songs of the record, we are treated to some slower tempos at the beginning of two very powerful songs. In "Legacy", the acoustic guitar work starts the track and instantly gains the listener’s attention because of its haunting progression. We are introduced to the heavy riff that will power the song just under a minute into the song, and the harmonies that follow are reminiscent of the kind of music that we used to all love to hear played in a huge arena. There is definitely room for an elaborate stage show once UPH breaks through as they most certainly will.

"Dead End" once again fools the listener at first. You think you’re going to get a power ballad before the band opens up to an up-tempo, pedal kicking, riff that reminds you that UPH is a force to be reckoned with and not for the faint of heart.

Is there anyone else out there that absolutely loves the death knell of church bells? Nothing sounds that badass in just one note! If you're a fan of haunting sounds like funeral bells, then "Follow The Dawn" is the song for you. The bells that toll at the beginning of this song, coupled with the haunting riff that accompanies them is what is currently missing from so many rock albums. You know the sound I’m talking about. Black Sabbath are the masters of it, and AC/DC even managed to capture some of the mystery that only long bell tones can provide. It naturally sets the mood of the dark and sinister, and helps UPH take their debut album to the next level, letting their new fans know that this is not some poseur band that plays at your local college pub and is all about the image. Musically, for this reviewer, this track proves that this band is the real deal.

The band has recently played venues like The Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh and just last night rocked the stage with Bobaflex, Titans in Time, and Odds Against Tomorrow.

Do yourself a favor and check them out if you miss what real heavy metal is supposed to sound like, and keep your eyes peeled here in the upcoming weeks for our interview with the guys. You can find UPH over on Facebook, Twitter, ReverbNation, YouTube, and you can buy their album on iTunes or Amazon. You can also grab some merch to show your support over on the band's store. - Playing With Chaos

Unparalleled Height is a rather new player on the heavy metal scene. This unsigned band, straight from the streets of Pittsburgh, can be compared with Bullet For My Valentine and Avenged Sevenfold. Their new album Rise of the Voiceless brings us loads of powerful riffs and beautiful melodies and lyrics. Next to the prelude The Rise, the album kick-starts with Strength Through Silence, a song that could end up number one in the metal charts. The rest of the album is a rollercoaster of easy hearing songs, such as Never Far Away and Heroes Prevail, and flipping bass drum beats on tracks like Memories Remain and Steadfast Spirit. My own personal favourite is Malevolence End, which comes with a brutal guitar riff opener and leads us towards an amazing guitar solo climax. Given their unsigned status this album sounds giganormously professional! I’d say give these guys a place amongst the biggest bands on the European festivals ‘cause they earn it! - Codex Metallicus

Need some new rock or metal in your life? Then check out this relatively new band call Unparalleled Height! They are a hard rock/metal band hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their unique writing style takes influence from many artists and styles of music and they have been said to be a mix of Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet For My Valentine, Dream Theater, Trivium, Killswitch Engage and Black Veil Brides just to name a few. The band combines in your face metal with the melodic and progressive side of rock and puts emphasis on writing songs with meaning and purpose. Grab some headphones and crank out their new single “Strength Through Silence” that is already getting airplay on stations like Rock 101 radio. The song is quite the musical journey with a grand intro, A7X/BVB style verses, perfect screamo vocals, killer riff changes and soaring guitar leads. Also, be sure to check out the track “Bridges To Nowhere” from their first EP. Gotta love the heavy, chugging main riff on this one with the killer screamos and the grooving guitar/drum breakdown in the middle. The band has come a long way since forming in April of 2011. They worked their way up to headlining shows in the Pittsburgh area within just a few months then spent time crafting their debut EP titled “Bridges To Nowhere” which was released in June of 2012. However, in 2013 the band stepped up their game to a whole new level. After a solid year of juggling writing and pre-production with college, Unparalleled Height released their first full length album “Rise Of The Voiceless” on November 26th, 2013 which debuted at #30 on the itunes metal charts. They have quickly gained a worldwide fan base of over 118,000 and that number continues to grow fast. The band is working to broaden their fan base around the US and become the next household name in rock ‘n roll. Check these guys out! Some serious talent here on the rise! - Midwest Music Scene

New Artist Alert! We'd like to introduce you to Unparalleled Height, an emerging hard rock band from Pittsburgh, via their song "Strength Through Silence" which appears on Rise of the Voiceless.

"We feel that 'Strength Through Silence' is the bridge from our EP to who we are as a band right now. The song sets the tone for the rest of the album," the band told us.

They are looking to tour in 2014, too!

Read more at http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/new-artist-alert-unparalleled-height-strength-through-silence/10856944#bUJxSqXe71zcZrfR.99 - ARTISTdirect