Much fuss was made about Unearth teaming up with producer Terry Date (Pantera, Deftones) for their latest album, "III: In The Eyes Of Fire"; but as proven here, it takes more than Date's crisp production to knock Unearth off their axis.

Metalcore is still the name of the game and while the band remain one of the top draws in the North American scene, "III: In The Eyes Of Fire" isn't the record that will usher in a new era of American metal. What it is however is perhaps the realization of what Unearth have always aspired to be; a top-notch metal act who skillfully blend enough elements of trash, metal and hardcore to finally begin distancing themselves from the current stereotypes. Hell, the variety of Euro-influenced riffing alone has enough fervor and honesty to make even the most-hardened scene vets headbang along.

Improving upon what they accomplished on "The Oncoming Storm", "III: In The Eyes Of Fire" is an album that not only tightens the nuts and bolts, but sharpens every riff, intensifies the breakdowns and deepens each ponderous melody. Without question an effort as strong as this will further Unearth's career and please the faithful, but it also seems to reinforce the limitations the band set for themselves on previous outings.

Basically if you've heard their last album you've pretty much heard this one too and while the band do deliver a wealth of anger and stronger songwriting, that's not saying they are testing themselves - sans maybe the albums closing track which finds some piano making a cameo appearance. That said, while they may not be evolving, they are definitely refining and this outing still manages to crush, even if it is in a uniform fashion.

Shortcomings or not though, you'd be hard pressed to find a more pound for pound metalcore album in 2006. Unearth no longer have the rough scrappy edges they used to and have developed into a leaner and meaner form. Their style may not win them awards or make them stand out as a legend, but you can damn sure guarantee the mosh pit will erupt with volcanic proportions when songs from this opus are played.