The Chariot has one of the most devout followings in Christian hardcore. The interesting part is that they have only been around a couple of years, and have only released one album. That is, until this, their highly anticipated follow-up, if you can even call it that. In much the same way Mae's Destination: B-sides explained the transition between their debut and The Everglow, The Chariot's Unsung EP takes some of the old and mixes it with some of the new for a delicious appetizer, leading up to what should be a most delectable main course.

The EP begins with the first of two new songs featured on the six track release. It's a bit more structured than Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing Nothing Is Dead and Nothing Is Bleeding, and perhaps a bit more techincally tight. Purists may be put out by the "lack of feedback" and tighter sound, but the carnage and chaos that makes The Chariot such a joy to listen to is still there, and in some aspects seems even more intense. The other new song on the EP, "Kenny Gibler" seems almost, dare I say it, epic, without compromising the Chariot sound.

The other four tracks included on the album are rerecorded versions of tracks from Everything Is Alive.... Seemingly unnecessary, but the reworkings incorporate the maturity the band has experienced over the past couple of years, while granting new drummer Jake Ryan an opportunity to strut his stuff. While nothing can capture to magic that was The Chariot's debut, the rerecordings are memorable.

Also included on the disc is a enhanced CD video of performance in Atlanta at The Masquerade, which rounds off the disc very well with it's depiction of the hardcore carnage we've come to expect from The Chariot. If the Unsung EP is any indication of where this band is going, the future looks very, very bright.

- Review date: 12/6/05, written by Josh Taylor