Uncircle: Modernised Metalcore
Uncircle? Actually it is Circle of Execution, only with new music. “Our old name
just didn’t fit anymore,” says guitarist Kevin Berra. "So we changed it to Uncircle.
"
A simple name to the simple appearance of the band: you meet the band on
stage as in life in black. They perform as real and true as the metalheads want.
It's just about the core, the power, the vibes. It's about the simplicity of the
brutal, but also about the complexity, if you will. The fivepack from Frenchspeaking Switzerland wants to draw attention to the energy of their songs. Ten
brand new ones will be released on the third album, Via Dolorosa, in late 2023 on
Bleeding Nose Records.
On Via Dolorosa, the band has modernised, shaped and compressed their
stylistic base. Of course, everything can still be summarised under the label
Metalcore, there are musical parallels to the early Parkway Drive, to Bury
Tomorrow, Fit For A King, Wage War and of course also Breakdown of Sanity, the
federal colleagues. But from time to time there sounds so much harshness that
Uncircle sound almost deathcore-ish and one has the impression that the
hardness-helix has been tightened again. On the other hand, an industrialised
Fear Factory double bass with synchronous guitar often shoots through the
stereo image before the emotions are channelled into the chorus. It is usually
growled/screamed/shouted, but then lurks underneath it a lead guitar with hook
character – as Arch Enemy has been practicing successfully for album
generations. And, of course, Uncircle always swing the hammer of suggestion in
the form of crowbar breakdowns. Five guys letting their lust for stylistic diversity
run wild.
Already with their first two albums, the 2017 debut Versatile and The Trial from
2020, the Monthey quintet delighted not only their fanbase, but also music
critics. In 2017, the Belgian Hellzine enthusiastically praised: “If you have to find
an album to represent the evolution of a band, here it is! … With Neocore
influences, we can find a perfect link between the songs but also getting
surprised by some (…) moments which are awesome. The surprise is here with
this 10 songs album… ” The promotion tour of the second album got under the
Corona wheels – it had to be canceled. Still press and fans celebrated The Trial.
On Youtube you can read comments like these: “Great thing. Especially the
beginning kicks me up again and again, I’m looking forward to more of you!” and
“The album comes out on my 36th birthday. What a present. ”
Their live action is reminiscent of the rage of Betraying the Martyr; like the
French, the Swiss manage to drive the audience into a frenzy within minutes. And
while Uncircle escalate on stage in predominantly black clothes and contrasting
guitars, the crowd rages in front of it. Frontman Florent explains: “On stage we
are the best. We have such fun up there – with our mates on stage and our fans
in front of us. That’s amazing!”
As former Circle of Execution, Uncircle already have some routine in escalating.
Since their founding in 2006, the Five have played well over 150 gigs – not only in
Switzerland, by the way. Among other things, they have accompanied the
Hungarians of Ektomorf on their 2019 tour through Germany, Poland,
Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Italy and Austria and have also opened for
Lacuna Coil, Clawfinger and Betraying the Martyrs. Circle of Execution have also
made three own headliner tours through Europe.
Via Dolorosa has been released with ten songs at the end of 2023 through Bleeding
Nose Records.