Extinction(s)

Initial information about the follow-up to Watchers of Rule surfaced in early 2018 when Daniel "DL" Laskiewicz, ex-guitarist of The Acacia Strain, revealed that he had been helping out with the new Unearth album by bouncing riff ideas with Unearth guitarists Buz McGrath and Ken Susi.[5] And then in a February 2018 interview, McGrath stated that the band "got probably twenty songs written" for the new album.[6] On March 16, 2018, the band officially signed worldwide deal with Century Media Records and revealed that recording of the new album would be started soon, scheduled for a tentative late summer or early fall 2018 release.[7]

On March 26, 2018, the band entered Graphic Nature Studio with Will Putney to begin recording their new album.[8] Drums were recorded by Adam Dutkiewicz, guitarist of Killswitch Engage.[8] Bass guitar, guitar solo and vocals were tracked at the Brick HitHouse, and strings and piano were done by Randy Slaugh.[1]

On July 2, 2018, the band announced that the new album will be entitled Extinction(s), and released "Incinerate", the first single of Extinction(s).[1] On September 18, 2018, the band revealed the release date, tracklist and artwork for Extinction(s), which would be released on November 23, 2018 through Century Media.[4] A lyric video of the second single "Survivalist" was available for streaming on September 28, 2018.[9] A music video of the song "One with the Sun" was released on November 15, 2018.[3]

The band commented on Extinction(s):

Extinction(s) is full of venom toward the wrongs of the world, fighting back against the precarious position civilization is in, determined to effect some kind of change. The inevitability of death, loss, and tragedy is a persistent theme throughout Extinction(s), deep within the band's most profound and hard-hitting lyrics thus far.[4]

The band also elaborated on the song "Incinerate":

"Incinerate" brings the raw aggression and heaviness of our early material while also showcasing elements of where we've gone as a band since. Lyrically, it is meant to be a song of unity in a time of great polarization around the world. We are constantly being told to not like our neighbor because they might have different views. The theme is a faith in humanity to come together and combat and rid the world of those that are intentionally dividing us.[4]

All lyrics are written by Trevor Phipps; all music is composed by Unearth, except where noted.

Unearth

• Trevor Phipps – lead vocals
• Buz McGrath – lead guitar
• Ken Susi – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Chris O'Toole – bass, backing vocals
• Nick Pierce – drums

Additional musician

• Randy Slaugh – string arrangements, piano (track 10)
• Sunny Phipps – additional vocals

Production

• Will Putney – production, engineering, mixing, mastering
• Adam Dutkiewicz – engineering (drums)
• Daniel Castleman – engineering
• Shane Frisby – engineering
• Forefathers – layout
• Dan Bradley – photography