The band members are fantasy nerds, which earns them some extra points in my book! :D They actually turned their story about the Matriarch and the Immortal into a Dungeons & Dragons module, which they then played together with fans who'd won a pre-order contest! Even more points for that idea! Thanks for the reaction! I am quite new here, but you're a great reactor based on what I've seen so far!

All of the members of UTA are talented and accomplished. The vocalist, Britney Slayes, does just that. You listen to this music enough, your brain will get accustomed to it and even enjoy it. As a metal head, this is ear candy. Next song - Tonight We Ride

Welcome to UTA.... Your rabbit hole has started and it is immense !!! Enjoy !!! 🤟 (your ears will see )

I always like it when a reactor realizes that listening to all of these different types of music expands understanding. This group is so very talented, but, I agree that it takes a little getting used to. And, I'm glad that you are going to continue your journey with them. This was an interesting reaction because I enjoyed seeing you work a bit to get your head around it. You did it though! Looking forward to the next Unleash the Archers.

The song is about the Immortal and his latest awakening, being called by a new master that has learned his name, except this time he feels like something is not right.

I believe that Britney has stated that she eventually plans to publish a graphic novel based on this storyline. Nice reaction!

Great reaction. Love UTA! Saw them live several year's ago in a small club in Boston. Amazing show. They are like an updated, modern version of an 80's power metal band. Found your comment that she sounds like an indie pop singer intresting and unique. I get echoes of Geoff Tate of Queensryche, Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, and Ronny James Dio This song is the first song from the album Apex. Apex and Abyss are futuristic concept albums telling the story of The Immortal and The Matriarch. The Immortal is a cursed all powerful creature (kind of like a genie) who when awakened must serve the person who awakens them. The Matriarch is an evil female who awakens the Immortal to find her sons and bring them to her so she can kill them in a blood ritual so she can achieve immortality herself. This song is about the Immortal being awakened in his mountain home after sleeping for thousands of years. Brittney is playing the part of the Immortal and Grant (harsh vocals) is playing the part of the Matriarch. Brittney has done track by track explanation videos on Napalm Record's YT channel for both albums. Apex Tracks 1-4 (Awakening explained here) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pcydbLWfyrCVkqc.html. Apex Tracks 5-8 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ab9hjN2ku6vPZ6c.html Apex Tracks 9-10 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qbVkgZSD0MqmYJc.html Abyss Tracks 1-4 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oqt8dbd5mqqlh4U.html Abyss Tracks 5-8 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/isepY7B0t7inlGw.html Abyss Tracks 8-10 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n7SEaJiA2pbYqJ8.html So many great UTA songs. Some of my favorites are Time Stands Still, Cleanse the Bloodlines, Apex, Waking Dream, Abyss, Legacy, Soulbound, Faster Than Light, and The Wind that Shapes the Land. The Wind that Shapes the Land is IMHO their magnus opus and an amazing song. Unfortunately no music video and no live version with good audio quality so studio is the way to go. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o96Zddh3s9_UiKs.html Last my favorite video of Brittney is of her singing Queen of the Reich in a karaoke bar after doing a full show in Scotland. Amazing how good it is recorded on a cellphone. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aJ5gd7Wi1K3dfKs.html.

I saw a guy reacting to this song and was absolutely blown away. Then I heard it was the opening track to a concept album and that the follow up album had just been released. So I went dark mode on those albums while waiting for the vinyls to arrive so I could sit down with a glass of nice rum in one hand and the lyrics sheet in the other and listen to both albums back to back. Absolutely worth it 😁

Look who is becoming a metal head! UTA are awesome! Can’t wait until you hear Tonight We Ride!

Best teeth in metal. Period.

Glad you liked it. Welcome to the first song in your new workout playlist! If your brain needs to cool down I suggest checking out "Northwest Passage" by UTA next... it's a folky/rock song with a bonus dose of Canadian history. The video is rather fun too... or to add fuel to the fire dive straight into "Tonight We Ride"- some insane belting high notes, and a really cool video.

Love this band, love this song, love this reaction! Can't wait to see more! Keep up the amazing reactions!

More unleash the archers please!!!

Check out the band Jinjer song Pisces live session and lead singer Tatiana if u want your brain be on 🔥 lol

The only recommendation I could make regarding UtA would be to listen to more. Both the band and the music are extraordinary. If you love sci-fi/fantasy you will really enjoy their music.

Power metal usually has a story or fantasy aspects attached to the songs/albums. This one is about an immortal warrior awakening after a thousand (if I’m not mistaken on the number of years) year slumber.

Nice reaction Jenna, I guessed with your background this would be mind blowing but you got rather a lot more to get your head around soon! A great follow up to this is Tonight we ride which has a Mad max vibe. Just out of interest Brittney is classically trained and has actually performed a classical piece in a competition for Metal singers. Enjoyed it very much! 🌹

great video! One of my top 3 favorite bands!! I actually had the honor of interviewing Brittney on my channel and Grant (the screaming non-ginger) gives my 8 year old daughter lessons! He offers them remotely for 60-ish/hour.

you are correct, every song here is basically a chapter of a book and the next album continues the same story as well.

Love Unleash The Archers!! You must check out "Tonight we Ride!

The story is about "The Immortal" which is basically a magical warrior that is basically a fantasy superweapon. Whoever awakens the immortal commands it. This time it's being awoken by an evil witch that wants to live forever and conquer the world basically. The album and its followup Abyss does indeed use each song as the chapter of a book. By the end of the second album I was really invested and into it as it gets to the climactic finale 😊

You two look so similar. Super beautiful.

It’s Canadian so you know it’s good!!!!!

Unleash the Archers and The Warning are my two musical love affairs that started during the "big flu" lockdown by watching reaction videos

You are correct that you need to listen to the album in order to follow the storyline. Awakening is chapter 1. The total story consists of 20 chapters/songs told over two albums, 10 on the Apex(2017) album and 10 on the Abyss(2020) album. The story's main character is The Immortal. At birth, The Immortal was cursed with a covenant that forces him to serve whomever awakens him until he completes their demands. Once complete, the covenant releases the curse of servitude and he is allowed to return to his mountain hollow(aka Apex) to rest again. Over past millennia, he has been summoned multiple times by vast empires to be used as a weapon. In this song, he has been awakened and upon emerging from his Apex, he realizes that the stars/constellations in the night sky have changed so much that it must have been at least 1000 years that he has been sleeping for. That ominous feel you get from the intro is done purposely to make you understand what The Immortal is feeling. As he hasn't met the "creature" who has awakened him yet, he can already feel their ominous evil presence and that it is so bad that he knows that this new master will bring his "end". If you're willing to follow the story, I won't spoil it, and I can give you a breakdown of each track as you go along. The second chapter/song is called Shadow Guide. There is no video, but official audio is available on KZfaq. If you want to hear Brittney's full range, I suggest reacting to an older song(not part of the storyline) called Tonight We Ride. It is from their 2015 album called Time Stands Still. Hope to see you deep dive into more metal and Unleash The Archers! There is tons of great stuff to discover!! Subbed from Toronto 🤘🇨🇦

Hey Jenna, this whole album is gold. Excellent reaction 👍👍Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦 eh !!

So you should next listen to their song "Tonight We Ride." Your head will explode. Also you should listen to Ayreon "The Day that the World Breaks down." Another really good Scifi song that I think will really impress and break your mind. :) Also, I love that you said, "a new neural network in my brain just for metal music." Geek speak is sexy. Live long and prosper!

I knew the band and the song. I think I discovered the original version with you, though. Because if I remember correctly I'd seen a bass playthrough version. Thanks Jenna! And of course, great honest reaction ☺️ happy to see you tomorrow!

If you watch their cover of "Northwest Passage", one hint: Watch the ring. It helps decode what's going on.

Nice sustained scream and loved the double bass drum.

IMMORTAL IS MORE THAN A NAME! AWAKENING To look up into the night's sky, to see the stars they are changed To know a thousand years or more have passed, and I am the same This mountain hollow that keeps me in a suffocating embrace A prison and a safe haven, it's always been this way Lo, a new master calls me to awakening, I know this one brings the end Far out beyond the darkness I've been living in it's true, a whole new world awaits Stellar constellations rise, lighting my way in the night Once again revitalized, to roam; to never die My path begins with the new dawn; a voice is calling my name It always starts as whispering then manifests to a scream I'm drawn to the creature that wakes me, bound to them by the curse My soul exists only to serve, a covenant of birth Fear not the task ahead there's no escaping it, there's no good nor evil here Stellar constellations rise, lighting my way in the night Once again revitalized, to roam; to never die Come to me, awakening Follow my voice, come to me Fear not the task ahead there's no escaping it, there's no good nor evil here Stellar constellations rise, lighting my way in the night Once again revitalized, to roam; to never Lighting my way in the night To roam; to never die

Line-up: Brittney Slayes - lead vocals Grant Truesdell - guitar, harsh vocals Andrew Kingsley - guitar Nikko Whitworth - bass Scott Buchanan - drums All the musicians are very technical and the song is a mixture of power, speed, technique and melody. The drummer looks like a train running at full speed... If you like fantasy atmosphere and lyrics, you should listen Norwegian band (duet) Keldian with space, science fiction, epic, uplifting, political, futuristic content: they would be good for soundtracking a sci-fi movie (music genre: Sci-Fi Melodic Power Progressive Metal) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nLd8nbJ3qbvKnZs.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hNphi7RmrLK-f58.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qdV7jLV-x9O5f4k.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mM93eZqWkqylfJ8.html

The very beginning of the song, before the guitars kick in, sounds so much like 80s horror movie music or something to me.

Some reason that band takes me back to my middle school days during the late 1990s when rock and metal was actually good.

Just when you think you're starting to cope with the density, the guitarists up the tempo. Insane. That drummer deserves a medal and the bassist is amazing (unusual technique). The vocalist is so powerful! Shades of Bruce Dickinson / Iron Maiden.

They're a modern Iron Maiden. Just, female lead singer and it's great!

That was the opener here. Yes there is a full album story. Many so called concept albums exist in metal. Avantasia metal opera pt I and II is one where the composer got many singers to sing for him. Ayreon does it too but different style... blind guardian has one around tolkiens silmarillion. Etc....

@Koality Reactions: Interesting that you say you like the story aspect to Awakening, because Awakening is the first "chapter" of the Apex and Abyss albums, which, when heard from beginning to end in order, tell the entire story about the Immortal. Apex album is more the "fantasty" side of the story, while Abyss is more the "sci-fi" part of the story. If you want to hear the difference, react to Abyss, the title track for the Abyss album. Note: Abyss is why Unleash the Archers is an award-winning band, as they won the Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) in 2020 for Abyss, which won Metal Album of the Year. That being said, I have a couple of other bands for you as recommendations! First up, Iron Maiden. Led by Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden is old-school metal, and is a huge influence on Unleash the Archers. My recommendation for a first-time reaction is Hallowed Be Thy Name, live at the Hammersmith, in 1982. To give you an idea of how good Bruce Dickinson is vocally, he's known as the "Human Air Raid Siren." Next up: Sabaton. Sabaton is also a power metal band. They are from Sweden, and sing about military history. My top 5 recommendations are the following: 1) Christmas Truce 2) Defense of Moscow 3) Night Witches (Animated Story Video) 4) No Bullets Fly (Animated Story Video) 5) Primo Victoria

So glad you did this reaction. I do respect your reactions and was hoping you would react to UTA. From your explanation at the end I would try Cleanse the Bloodlines next. Awesome video that tells a story. I also love the melody of the chorus. We Crazy Canucks are more than just Drake or Bieber eh.

This....is what is known as a "Master Class". Canadians are very underrated when it comes to metal music. UTA should be one of the flag bearers. Brit is a vocal behemoth and all of the band members are world class musicians. So, so good. Can't really go wrong, but Tonight we Ride is probably a good 2nd vid, as folks have mentioned. Time stands still is also a good one, more an anthem rock/metal style. Brit's also a Div A collegiate rugby player with a world class stiff arm ;-). The more you know.

Great reaction to a great band. I have a feeling that you might also enjoy Cleanse The Bloodlines, or The Matriarch. UTA is definitely a rabbit hole 😁

They just played this song at the Mad With Power fest a couple weeks ago and Britt hit that opening note and held it easily. They have a new album on the way should be out early next year. I found UTA after hearing Dragonforce and Jinjer so the speed was fine for me but for someone not used to this style the best way to enjoy is to just let it flow over you and not try to focus on any one thing. With more listens you can focus on different components.

I love this band so much, they are all immensely talented and this song blows my mind. But more than that, the album from which it comes is a master of storytelling and white hot melodic yet technical metal.

If you like story, and are interested in exploring one of the greatest metal bands of all time, you need to check out some Iron Maiden Fear of the Dark from Rock in Rio Dance of Death from EN Vivo Rhythm of the Ancient Mariner from the Live After Death tour. (Old vid 1985 I think) Hallowed be The Name from any good quality live performance. The lead singer, Bruce Dickenson, is the consumate storyteller and performer. 🤘😎🤘

You should see her absolutely murdering a karaoke bar when singing Queensryche - Queen of the Reich 😊

I JUST saw them at their first live performance in 18 months a little over a week ago. Highly excited for what is coming...

You are witnessing high-level virtuosity and it can be a little hard to take in. I teach guitar and these techniques are the ones I try to instil. Most guitarists will hold the neck in a sort of death-grip when they play fast. These chaps use the softest possible grip and their fingers are able to move at lightning speed.

My fav is LEGACY

Excellence of execution 🤘 UTA. Britney Slayes...nuff said.

Vocalist: Brittany Hayes/Slayes; Ginger on guitars: Andrew Kingsley; Werewolf-looking guitarist: Grant Truesdell; Bassist (at the time - not entirely sure what's going on now): Nikko Whitworth; Bundy Junkie: Scott Buchanan. (Scott and Brittney are 💞 and have a 👶. Andrew and Grant aren't and don't😢.) Other music video suggestions: "Legacy", "Abyss", "Faster Than Light", "Cleanse The Bloodlines", "Test Your Metal", "Northwest Passage"......and here's a playthrough of an acoustic version of the song "Apex": kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l62qqJiCucjeYYk.html .

Glad you liked "Awakening", you could listen to my favorite song from Unleashed the Archers which is "Cleanse the Bloodlines".

Good band.

Unleash the archers is becoming my favorite new metal band.. Some good songs to consider Tonight we ride Cleanse the blood line Soul bound Ten thousand against 1

they are amazing, check out a song called faster than light next ;)

Told you to check Abyss. 😂 No you did well tho, straight into the fire lets go.🤘 Thanks for checking them out! Most reactors tend to start with Awakening also as it's their most popular song but they have much better songs imo, especially off their new album also titled Abyss. A bit slower and VERY melodic. I'm glad you're intrigued by the story tho as yea Apex is a concept album written by the singer Brittany who also loves reading fantasy. If you like sci-fi fantasy you will love UTA! Abyss is also the continuation and ending of this story. So if you're curious about following the story a bit I'd recommend The Matriarch. Or maybe follow the album on your own a bit and maybe react to Cleanse The Bloodlines which is a bit darker and slower. 👍 And if you want to just get a better feel for where their sounds at now like I recommended before Abyss or Soulbound is a goodie too. I know power metal isn't most people's forte lol but Unleash are next level. World class musicians tastefully combining the intense classic power metal sounds with a more serious and relatable modern style, which is what I love about them, while intentionally keeping it occasionally cheesy for fun. 😄 It's always the best exposing people to all the great extreme Metal out there lol. Hope you check more and keep killing it! 🏹🤘🙏

Welcome to the wonderful world of power metal. It's pretty, it's fast, it hits like a tsunami of music! The whole album is the first part of the story, it continues in the next album, Abyss. The person being awakened is an immortal warrior. The growling vocals were the evil sorceress that intends to use him. In the interest of continuing to build those neural pathways, try another band in the genre, Angra. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bJqJhth41MW1e4U.htmlsi=lDzMtXOXQgKnxKam They have a new single out called Ride Into the Storm, they were an important influence on UTA and the bands have toured together. You'll love the video.

Apex and the next album, Abyss, tell an amazing science fantasy story that has genuine character growth, redemption, and even some genuine suspense across 20 songs and ends with a satisfying conclusion. It's incredible music, but it's also excellent *fiction* as well. It takes about two hours to get through both and it's time well spent.

If you love sci fi and fantasy then also check out Ayreon - a long running rock opera-like project by Dutch prog rock extraordinaire, Arjen Anthony Lucasson. The Day That The World Breaks Down is a good one to start with and has at least one singer I know you are familiar with.

There is only way to test you like metal 😂 TEST YOUR METAL!!! With UTA ofcourse 🖤💪🏻🤘 metal greatings from Poland 🤘

Still waiting for Jinjer.

A couple more by UTA, Northwest Passage, Faster Than Light, and the title track from that album Abyss Just gotta say these guys are fantastic

Ok, see you again for Tonight We Ride (by the same guys) when you get your brain back to a healthy state, Lady. ;-) This video will entertain for sure.

Always good to see someone enjoying UTA. If you like them, you should try Powerwolf too. They are a power metal band as well. Another very powerful voice. Very theatrical band, both with their videos and live performances. Dancing With The Dead is probably a good one to start with.

There's a video where they all went to a pub after one of their concerts and Brittney does a cover of Queensryche's Queen of the Reich. It's incredible. They later did an actual cover of the song. Brittney does indeed slay.

Listen to Highway Star by Deep Purple to see the early influences of this guitar playing

Love Britney. You should hear her sing opera!

Apex and some of the UTA albums are concept albums. They do tell a story! Also if you want to keep your daily dose of power metal try the Japanese band Lovebites and the title track of their album "Judgement Day" The live version is amazing but if you want the lyrics you can look up the MV video too. Maybe a double reaction? Not saying anything else that would spoil the surprise! 😂

It was me who originally suggested UTA to you in your first Nightwish reaction. The storyline of the Matriarch and the Immortal span two albums, "Apex" followed by "Abyss". The Matriarch is a very evil, power mad tyrant who gave birth to four sons for one sole purpose. When they are grown she will kill them at a specific time (planetary alignment), drink their blood and become immortal. She summons the Immortal from his mountain cave so he can collect her sons and bring them to her. "Apex" is mostly about that process of the Immortal gathering her sons for the ritual. Each son gets a song. In "Awakening" Brittney is playing the role of the Immortal and Grant is growling the call of the Matriarch. "Abyss" is set in outer space as the Immortal and his allies battle the Matriarch. There are a number of music videos for these two albums that help explain the storyline. Not all of the music is as frenetic as "Awakening". UTA is considered to be a fusion of power metal, death metal and classic heavy metal. Think Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Queensryche for their metal inspirations. Their music is always melodic and the growling is used strategically so the music is approachable for a non-metal listener, much like Nightwish. Since you're a sci-fi / fantasy fan, check out Ayreon / Star One next. It's a Dutch progressive rock/metal super group put together by Arjen Lucassen. Floor Jansen of Nightwish has been with them for decades and recently Brittney of UTA sang on one of his tracks. Now we're all crossing our fingers that Arjen gets Floor and Brittney together on the same song. For Ayreon, check out "The Day that the World Breaks Down" kzfaq.info/get/bejne/paylgK6V1-C0oYk.html Also here's Brittney's contribution to "Star One" kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rNRng5agu7PSqac.html and the story on how Arjen found out about Brittney: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sN2fZcyqydCofo0.html BTW, Brittney's a new mom.

If you can work two pedals at once while driving, especially a manual gear-change car, then you could work two drum pedals, theoretically. But drummers do need natural talent for it, like a natural sense of time. Another analogy would be piloting a helicopter which uses both feet and both hands on two different sticks, but that's not so common!

Try video/song Abyss. I guess you gonna like that song and video. Another band ....... Beast In Black - Blind and Frozen. One of the best male singers in that band. Check the video and you understand his range.

If you like storytelling you should watch Iron Maiden and Helloween. Both very storytelling kind of metal bands 👍

Great reaction amazing band please check out - Dance with the devil - immortal technique ( video where he is wearing red hat and t shirt) crazy story telling and wicked at the end many thanks love and respect from the UK 👍👍🌟😀😀 amazing channel 👍

I love that you deep dive into all genres of Metal. And as You will discover there is a lot of genres and many of them are very easy to get attached to as they are both musical and catchy. I would like to see You react to one of the classical Metal bands that started the NWOBHM-movement (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal), Iron Maiden. Please start with this classic song live from 1982: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bdyAZct3q7yZZ3k.html

Such a great band 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 Brittney literally slays it (Pun intended 😋😋)

Yes, they're great and their songs are really good :) i would like to have your opinion on the melodic metal band ORKHYS ("blood ties", "home" or "the devil and the impudent" for example), so if you want to give it a try ;) :)

How is it that a music enthusiast hasn't heard so many famous artists, like The Scorpions?

Well if this is your first expose to power metal you picked the master class that is for sure. UTA is as good as it gets.

Maybe after the live reactions sometimes you could take a break to reflect and then do a final thoughts if you need

Listening to your reaction, I'm going to suggest a slightly different path thru the UTA catalog. Cleanse the Bloodlines is an extension of the main Apex storyline Also, you might try Legacy, which is from the Abyss album (one year later)... it is a lyric video done in a fun, interesting manner and it's filmed subject matter is not as harsh as many metal videos are... perhaps a bit more your cuppa tea? Anyway, ITA is a statistically dense/high note-count form of power metal. Any that turns off some of the more doomy listeners. But it has it's place, and the musicians in the band are just the very nicest of people.

Excellent reaction! Just subbed. May I recommend an all female power metal band from Japan? Check out Lovebites. Their recent release "Stand and Deliver" is a good one (very similar in production and vibe to this video). Or if you prefer live performance, go with "Hammer of Wrath" or "Nameless Warrior".

Great reaction and an appreciated your thoughts and insight! I think another song from UTA that showcases Britney's more melodic side is "Legacy". I think that you will like this and I look forward to your reaction! Here's a link: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o72lgJx00L-XhWw.html Take care! 🤘😃🤘

Power metal can be exhausting to listen to. I love this song, but there's like a trillion notes from the beginning to the end, so it wears me out.

Melody? Storytelling? You gottta listen to some Blind Guardian songs like Wheel of time or Mirror Mirror, or maybe ....and then there was silence.

I was the 667th like. You're welcome

X

I find it best to just let the music wash over you, trying to focus on one instrument is an exercise in frustration. one you let go it will be easier to understand it.

You know who you should check out? Crypta.

indie rock LOL

Check out the band Tool. "The Pot" "Vicarious" "46 & 2" are good songs to start with. 🌀

Nothing "indie rock" about Brittany 😂

Unleash the Arches good singer good musicians, songs not so good 👎