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We’re back in superground territory (?) this week as Mark brings the debut album by mysterious, psuedo-anonymous screamo band United Nations.

Fronted (at least, on most of the songs, albums and live shows) and partially conceived by post-hardcore legend and Thursday frontman Geoff Rickly, in the early 00s, for a long time he was the only “official” member of the band. When they were sued by the actual United Nations in 2010 around 30 people were listed as being involved with the band, but for the most part Rickly has been the one to do interviews. With a couple of exceptions in more recent years.

Because in more recent years, with the release of their second album The Next Four Years in 2014, it was later confirmed that Jonah Bayer and Lukas Previn were also members of the band. That remains the case, with various members of other bands playing live shows with them. In 2017 they released a single called Stairway to Mar-a-lago which features an entirely different vocalist. Meaning the mysterious nature of the band remains somewhat intact.

Conceived as a throw back to the chaotic 90s screamo of Orchid, Rites of Spring etc, the band weld together various styles of extreme music to some impressive results. But are they unsung? That’s what we try to figure out. Come along on the journey with us.