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intothewellsabyss
Nov 7, 20224 min read

Arsis - United In Regret (2006)

FROM THE CRYPTS - CELEBRATING PAST ALBUM RELEASES in the HISTORY of HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL…



On November 7, 2006, Arsis released their second full-length studio album United in Regret via Willowtip Records.


Background:

Following the enormous success of their debut album, 2004's A Celebration Of Guilt, and 2005's epic A Diamond For Disease, Arsis returned with the studio album, United In Regret. With United In Regret, Arsis once again raised the bar and breathed new life into the overpopulated world known as "Melodic Death Metal". The album was recorded at Max Tax Studios (Skinless, Stigmata) in Albany , NY and Hairy Breakfast Productions (Misery Index) in Atlanta , GA , and was mastered by Scott Hull (Phobia, Pig Destroyer).


The album features Noah Martin as session bassist as opposed to James Malone, and features a guest guitar solo by Emil Werstler of Chimaira and Dååth on The Things You Said. United in Regret received favorable reviews from press worldwide, including the Village Voice, PopMatters, Metal Review, and Metal Maniacs Magazine.


Overview:

United In Regret shows Arsis putting flesh on the bones of the band's arsenal and strengthening their formidable groundwork in the realm of Melodic Death Metal, with the bands focus shifting to more melodic leads and guitar solos. For examples, just listen to the albums title track and Lust Before The Maggots Conquest. Never one with complacency, Arsis have always seemed driven in the redevelopment of their sound. Where many bands have faltered or fumbled in this area, Arsis manage to rise above. On United In Regret, the bands technical revolution blazed its way forward, advancing them victoriously onward into the upper echelon of Extreme Metal preeminence. — E.N. Wells



Critical Reception:

In a review for yourlastrites.com on November 7, 2006, Ramar Pittance stated;

“With every album they release Arsis seems to come one step closer to fulfilling everything I look for in a heavy metal band. While Death slightly stumbled in their latter day attempts to fuse technical death metal with traditional heavy metal, Arsis have confidently made the transition, and became stronger songwriters in the process. While this is a far from a perfect album (let’s get a heftier bottom end guy, bass is a good thing) it is one of those rare release that contains a near mass appeal without sacrificing either integrity or craftsmanship. Ultimately, this is the album that deserves the hype I first threw at A Celebration of Guilt two years ago.”

While, for the same outlet, Jon Eardley wrote;

“Every originally written song is a keeper, with the blistering Oh, the Humanity and the bloodthirsty Lust Before the Maggots Conquest being my two current favorites. But that is sure to change with each listen as the album is that damn inviting from start to finish. I say ‘originally written’ because track eight is a remake of Depeche Mode’s The Things You Said. I haven’t heard the original so I really can’t compare the two, but after finding out it was a cover song it completely explained why it seemed so out of place. With the album coming in at just over 36 minutes I personally would’ve liked to have seen the cover dropped and be annihilated by a few more new songs. One other minor complaint, and I don’t think I’m alone here, is the issue of bass guitar. It’s there…kind of, but as attentive to perfection and craft that Malone and Van Dyne obviously are, it would simply put this band over the top if they had some fluid bass runs to match their illustrious talent – imagine a Steve DiGiorgio playing along side these guys. With that said, this review may make me out to be the ultimate Arsis fanboy, but that is hardly the case. I thought …Guilt was a pretty damn good full length debut, and …Disease was the perfect teaser to keep me interested in the band’s future. Well folks, the future that is United in Regret is here and worth your immediate attention, your ever so precious time, and your hard earned cash.”

In a review for PopMatters on February 27, 2007, Adrien Begrand stated;

“A Diamond For Disease, released in EP form in 2005, is one hell of a song to follow up, but Arsis is definitely up for the challenge on its second full-length, United in Regret, and much like its collaboration with Ballet Deviare, is equal parts blunt force and sumptuous melody, blind rage and tender introspection. A rare duo in metal circles (primarily because they can never find the right permanent members), guitarist/vocalist James Malone and drummer Michael Van Dyne take a more concise approach than on the previous mammoth track, serving up nine scorching tracks over 36 minutes, yet the shorter songs work just as well, the pair never allowing the songwriting to meander in hopes of creating another lengthy opus. It’s quick, to the point, and insanely fast, the unrelenting speed hitting us smack in the face as Oh the Humanity begins, Van Dyne’s double-kicks, machine-gunning snare, and crisply recorded cymbal bell giving the song an extra-sharp edge. However, when the breakdown kicks in, Malone’s mellifluous, expressive lead fills begin to dominate, which leads to one of the most fascinating aspects of this band.”

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells



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