The March (album)

In April of 2008, Unearth began finishing up the writing process for the album. Lead singer Trevor Phipps stated "Without going into too much detail about the new tunes, it is harder hitting with more groove than any previous Unearth material." They officially began recording on June 17, and recorded at both System Recording Studios and Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts. By July 30, they had completed recording the album and announced the official track listing. The album was produced by Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage, who had also worked the band's previous albums, The Stings of Conscience and The Oncoming Storm. A version "The Chosen" originally appeared on the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters soundtrack. The album art was designed by Sons of Nero. The album debuted at #45 on the Billboard Top 200 chart with first week sales of just under 11,000 copies. Billboard later showed that "The March", as of early 2009, has sold over 100,000 units worldwide. == Concept ==

The album is a concept album as it represents both the evil and the hopeful sides of humanity. Lead singer Trevor Phipps discusses this idea: == Touring and promotion ==

Music videos were made for the songs "Grave of Opportunity" and "May Will Be Done." During the albums release Unearth was already on a U.S. headlining tour with The Acacia Strain and Whitechapel. The first full tour in support of the album came the following month in November, which was a European tour alongside Despised Icon. They held another U.S. headlining tour in January of 2009 alongside Emmure and Impending Doom. From May to June of that year they supported Testament on a U.S. tour, during the Summer they embarked on a European tour alongside Chimaira, Unearth, Throwdown and Daath. The song "Grave of Opportunity" is available as a free downloadable track for the popular console game Guitar Hero World Tour. Also "We Are Not Anonymous" served as a downloadable content for the Rock Band series on the Rock Band Network Store for 160 Microsoft Points (Xbox Live) == Critical reception ==

The album was met with favorable reviews. Exclaim! Wrote "The March is proof that this genre still has life left to give, reinforcing their rep as one of the greatest metalcore acts of the genre's lifetime." Blabbermouth.net wrote "it's obvious that progress has been made in both the songwriting and performance departments." Adding "Where many others have branched out to the cusp of reinvention with each passing album, "The March" has simply unleashed Unearth squared." Greg Prato, writing for AllMusic, stated "Unearth have pretty much perfected their hardcore-meets-Iron Maiden style/approach by this point. The March proves that all the early accolades were well worth it: Unearth have grown into one of metal's leading outfits." ==Track listing==

"Truth or Consequence" ends at 4:10, and "Our Callous Skin" fades at 3:12. Whichever song is the final track, after 30 seconds of silence, white noise can be heard, which then slowly fades in and becomes increasingly louder. After exactly two minutes, the white noise stops abruptly and a hidden track entitled "Silence Caught the Stubborn Tongue" begins, which continues, for the remainder of the album. Special Edition Bonus DVD A "Special Edition" of the album (with slip cover) was released on Nov 10th, 2009. It includes a bonus DVD, which is over 80 minutes long. It contains 3 documentaries, 4 live videos, 3 official music videos, and 5 webisodes (originally streamed online during the album's recording). As a special promotion by Metal Blade Records, those who pre-ordered the album would receive an autographed copy (while supplies lasted). Bonus DVD contents • The Documentaries :: "Making The March" :: "The Three Day March" :: "Gig Life" 2009 • The Videos :: – Live at Wacken 2008 - :: "This Glorious Nightmare :: "My Heart Bleeds No Longer" :: "Black Hearts Now Reign" :: "The Great Dividers" :: "My Will Be Done" (Music Video) :: "Grave Of Opportunity (Music Video) :: "Crowkiller" (Music Video) • Webisodes :: Preproduction with Adam D (Part 1) :: Preproduction with Adam D (Part 2) :: Recording Guitars :: Recording Vocals :: Recording Back Up Vocals with Norma Jean ==Personnel==

Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes. Personnel Unearth • Trevor Phipps – lead vocals • Buz McGrath – lead guitar • Ken Susi – rhythm guitar, backing vocals • John "Slo" Maggard – bass, backing vocals • Derek Kerswill – drums Additional musicians • Cory Brandan (Norma Jean) – additional vocals on "Grave of Opportunity", "We are not Anonymous" • Chris Day (Norma Jean) – additional vocals on "Grave of Opportunity", "We are not Anonymous" • Scottie Henry (ex-Norma Jean) – additional vocals on "Grave of Opportunity", "We are not Anonymous" • Jake Schultz (ex-Norma Jean) – additional vocals on "Grave of Opportunity", "We are not Anonymous" • Pat O'Donnell – additional vocals on "Grave of Opportunity", "We are not Anonymous" • Wes Pannell – additional vocals on "Grave of Opportunity", "We are not Anonymous" Production • Adam Dutkiewicz – production, engineering • Jim Fogarty – assistant engineering for drum tracking • Andy Sneap – mixing, mastering • Sons of Nero – concept, layout • Travis Smith – photo illustration • Phill Mamula – photography • Chris Kabata – live photography Studios • Zing Recording Studios, Westfield, MA – drums • System Recordings, Grafton, MA – vocals, guitars, bass • Backstage Recording Studios, UK – mixing, mastering == Charts ==