Album Review: Unto Others – Never, Neverland (Century Media Records)

Portland, Oregon’s Unto Others have spent their seasons in the abyss and arise from the other side with their third full-length and Century Media debut ‘Never, Neverland’ – incoming September 20th, 2024.

Having taken the alternative rock and metal scene by storm since their inception as Idle Hands, Unto Others have evolved and developed into a unique amalgamation of gothic rock and heavy metal that has ensured the latter name is all anyone remembers now. Idle Hands is dead, long live Unto Others. Especially as their eccentric heavy make-up, stylish goth infusions, and chorus-driven metal ways continues to delight people from all over the world.

So much of this appeal comes from the accessibility of this new album and how one minute, you can be dancing away to big goth melodies, then the next minute, you can be compelled to head bang until it hurts. Every so often, you can experience both, and even more rocking groove, in the same track. As far as being creative and complete, Never, Neverland might be the quintessential Unto Others record.

Is it good though? That’s a bit more debatable and while there are plenty of enjoyable, fun, interesting, and exciting hits. There are also plenty of mundane efforts that leave little impression and one or two that just aren’t very good. Something not helped by the fact that Never, Neverland is an eye-watering 16 tracks long. Unsurprisingly there is some filler (When the Kids Get Caught and Flatline are two good examples), but thankfully, not as much as there could have been.

Often at its best when Unto Others are fully leaning into the dramatic gothic and classic rock side of things, highlights include the likes of Angel of the Night, Sunshine, Cold World, and the title track. Four of the album’s best because they are uncomplicated, find Unto Others not trying too hard, and focusing on what makes them so enjoyably catchy,

Though there are plenty of high energy and heavier efforts that tick all the right boxes too. There’s absolutely nothing to complain about with the likes of Butterfly, Suicide Today, Time Goes On (having Na’vi guest is a nice touch here), and Raigeki. A handful of vigorous efforts that show just how much life is in this band.

Life that slowly, but surely, oozes into the listener, buoying the soul and setting the senses on fire as only the best rock and metal can do. Never, Neverland needed some quality control, and not everything on it is worthwhile, but that doesn’t mean Unto Others haven’t delivered a good album, because they have. The good far outweighs the bad and fans are going to eat it up.

Unto Others – Never, Neverland Track Listing:

1. Butterfly
2. Momma Likes The Door Closed
3. Angel Of The Night
4. Suicide Today
5. Sunshine
6. Glass Slippers
7. Fame
8. When The Kids Get Caught
9. Flatline
10. Time Goes On
11. Cold World
12. I Am The Light
13. Farewell
14. Raigeki
15. Hoops
16. Never, Neverland

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