''Unconditional'' is the fourth studio album by American
metalcore
Metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore) is a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. As with other styles blending metal and hardcore, such as crust punk and grindcore, metalcore is noted for its use of ...
band
Memphis May Fire
Memphis May Fire is an American metalcore band formed in Denton, Texas and currently signed to Rise Records. The band currently consists of lead guitarist Kellen McGregor, lead vocalist Matty Mullins, bassist Cory Elder, and drummer Jake Garla ...
. It was released on the March 25, 2014 by
Rise Records and distributed by
Fontana Distribution. The deluxe edition was released on July 17, 2015.
Background and recording
Memphis May Fire had planned to release their new album in early 2014.
The band recorded at Chango Studios with Kellen and
Cameron Mizell as the producers.
On December 14, 2013 the band tweeted that they had finished recording their forthcoming album with vocalist Matty Mullins expressing on how proud he was of the album. The album was expected to be an early 2014 release.
On December 18, the band announced "The Unconditional Tour" beginning late February through March with fellow acts
The Word Alive,
A Skylit Drive
A Skylit Drive is an American post-hardcore band from Lodi, California. The band has released one DVD, one EP and five studio albums: '' Wires...and the Concept of Breathing'' (2008), '' Adelphia'' (2009), '' Identity on Fire'' (2011), ''Rise ...
,
Hands Like Houses and
Beartooth in the
US.
In a studio update for the album, it was announced that it would be titled ''Unconditional'' and would be released on March 25, 2014 through Rise Records.
Style and composition
In an
Alternative Press interview released on September 7, 2013 the band stated that their new album will "have more of a theatrical feel, as well as orchestral presence" also describing their new album as a "soundtrack to an action film".
In another interview, the band described the sound of their new album, "''
tJust shows maturity. The newest record is very theatrical. It almost feels like a movie soundtrack from start to finish. It’s really awesome. A lot of orchestra stuff playing a big role in the record. It’s just – it’s more mature. I think that our younger audience is going to love it – certain aspects of it – and our older audience is going to really appreciate how far we’ve come as artists. They’re really going to love the record too. It’s great''."
Release and promotion
On February 6, 2014 the first single, "No Ordinary Love" was streamed through the Rise Records YouTube channel, and the official track listing was also released on this date.
The band later released "Sleepless Nights" on February 24
and then "Beneath The Skin" on March 11, 2014.
On March 13, 2014, Rise Records released a playlist of the full album on YouTube, announced by Mullins who tweeted, "Sometimes you gotta leak your own record!"
Commercial performance
''Unconditional'' debuted at No. 4 on the
''Billboard'' 200,
No. 1 on the Top Rock Albums and the ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
''
Alternative Albums chart,
selling around 27,000 copies in the first week. The album has sold 83,000 copies in the United States as of September 2016.
Track listing
All lyrics written by Matty Mullins, all music composed by Kellen McGregor and Memphis May Fire
Personnel
;Memphis May Fire
*
Matty Mullins
Matty Mullins (born July 3, 1988) is an American singer and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist of the metalcore band Memphis May Fire.
Life and career
Matty Mullins was born on July 3, 1988, in Spokane, Washington. His father was a pastor. ...
– lead vocals, keyboards
*Kellen McGregor – lead guitar
* Anthony Sepe – rhythm guitar
*Cory Elder – bass guitar
*Jake Garland – drums
;Additional
* Kellen McGregor – producer, engineer,
mixing,
mastering
*
Cameron Mizell – producer, engineer,
mixing,
mastering
*
Brian Hood
Brian David Hood (born November 16, 1986) is an American record producer and owner of 456 Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the former and original drummer of Solid State Records band MyChildren MyBride. He has worked with a numb ...
– mixing, mastering (deluxe edition)
*
Kris Crummett – engineer
* Ryan Clark – layout design and band photography
Charts
References
{{Authority control
2014 albums
Memphis May Fire albums
Rise Records albums