The Unborn

Bella recensione della mini raccolta The Last Man On Earth (Ratgirl Records 2020), a cura del blog Razorcake/Gorsky Press, Inc.!

Formidable genre-work from Viterbo, Italy. Tight playing and well-recorded, it’s a clean four songs that include one straightforward punk jammer, a Misfits cover translated into Italian, and two alternative versions of songs that have appeared elsewhere, including the more ethereal instrumental “Slasher” that reminds me of some stuff that my dad listened to in the 1980s when New Age folks were figuring out synthesizing atmospherics, but more on the Steve Vai end of the spectrum. Not a complaint. I think my favorite part of this EP is that the insert notes which classic horror film each song is inspired by, including “The Last Man on Earth” and “Videodrome.” Wouldn’t mind if these folks put together a soundtrack to one of these à la Wizard of Oz / Dark Side of the Moon situation.

Nuova recensione di The Last Man On Earth da parte di American Oi!

Those who regularly come back to this page know I have a soft spot for Italian outfit The Unborn. The masked boys from Viterbo combine two styles I absolutely love, namely horror punk and Oi!, and deliver this mix with sheer power! Something you can, as always, hear back on the band’s latest EP “The Last Man On Earth” for Ratgirl Records!

Released on cassette, the tape includes a total of four tracks – though nearly all of them have been previously released before. “L’Ultimo Uomo Della Terra” is taken off last year’s debut album “Slasher – Street Punk Anthems”, while “Braineaters” and “Videodrome” were taken off the compilations “We Are The Friend Club – A Misfits Tribute Chapter II” and “Caos In Italia”. Only the demo-version of instrumental outro “Slasher” was previously unreleased, but that’s it.

Nonetheless this is a cool tape to get though. The band’s originals are still great, the Italian version of Misfits classic “Braineaters” rips and the fact that this is a nice, little collectable of just 50 copies made, make “The Last Man On Earth” a welcoming addition to the collection after all. So completists, collectors and other nutjobs, make sure you secure a copy – because after mine there are just 49 left!

Il blog inglese Creases Like Knives recensisce il nostro album Slasher – Street Punk Anthems!

This Italian outfit is a horror Oi band of sorts, but instead of taking its cue from Attak’s deathless Zombies album – one of the greatest shitty punk records of all time – it combines the B-movie loving attitude of the Misfits with Nabat-like shouty vocal lines and heavy, hard-driving punk sometimes bordering on hardcore. The identities of the band members are shrouded in mystery, although the voice strongly resembles the singer of an important band from the 90s Italian skinhead scene… Either way, the band clearly loves the 80s, when MTV metal and VHS nasties such as the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but also homegrown fare like Dario Argento’s Profondo Rosso, were the staple diet of Italian teenagers.

Occasionally the heavily processed guitar plays lines that wouldn’t feel out of place on Motley Crue’s Shout at the Devil. While I’m not normally a fan of these kinds of deviations in punk rock, I can tolerate the citational way in which they’re being indulged here. Slasher is a relentless, hard-driving punk album and great fun. However, I have my preferences and want the band to minimise American themes and expand on Italy’s cultural legacy in the future. That is to say, more Fulci and Death SS, less Wes Craven and WASP – excuse my cultural nationalism.

Punknews.org recensisce la cassetta EP The Last Man On Earth (Ratgirl Records 2020):

I was previously unfamiliar with this Italian band prior to hearing this cassette EP. This band hails from Viterbo, Italy and plays a blend of street punk mixed with horror. The Unborn formed in 2015 and have appeared previously on a number of compilations. This four song EP is a collection tracks previously appearing in some fashion on other compilations.

“L’Ultimo Uomo Della Terra” is the lead-off title track of this cassette. Per the liner notes, this song is inspired by the 1964 post-apocalyptic film “The Last Man on Earth.” Musically, this is your standard modern street punk anthem type of song. Fans of bands such as the Casualties or the Virus should take note. There are solid and effective dual lead vocals throughout. Next up is the Unborn’s take on the Misfits classic “Braineaters.” What makes this more unique than your average Misfits cover is that the lyrics are fully in Italian. This song originally appeared on the “We Are the F(r)iend Club” compilation. This is an ambitious track to cover being one of the more novelty Misfits track in the catalog. The band seems to have fun with this tribute. Side B of the cassette starts with “Videodrome.” This track has more of a resurrection-era Misfits feel. This horror punk sounding number is the heaviest track on this collection. Per the liner notes, this track tells the tale of the dangers of modern technology. Solid basslines and guitar leads are present throughout. The short instrumental track “Slasher” closes out the EP. This is the demo version of this track which sounds like something out of a cult horror soundtrack.

This short EP is a decent representation on what The Unborn are all about. There are varying styles present throughout the cassette. The street and horror punk are obvious through most of this release. I look forward to a full length release which would aid in hearing this band’s full potential.

Reviewer rating: 3,5/5