Uncured

Warpath will defy your expectations. Rather than tread well-worn ground, the independent New Jersey quartet—Rex Cox (vocals, guitar), Zak Cox (lead guitar), “King Z” Zachary King (drums), and BeRo Andrade (bass)—forges ahead with an aggressive, unrelenting, fearless sound and message of their own. Rex slides seamlessly between soaring chorus melodies, visceral screams, deathcore gutturals, and lightning-fast rap, while Zak’s guitar flows from pounding riffs to impeccable guitar solos. Warpath is a wild ride, showcasing the band’s exceptional musicianship and flair with songs that are controversial, insightful, and unapologetically angry.

Unlike most other bands of this current generation, Uncured did not start its journey on social media. Instead, the band honed its craft on the road, and has already played over 300 shows in 14 different countries, touring with top acts such as Bad Omens, Jinjer and Bad Wolves, to name just a few. Uncured draws consistent praise for its energetic, relentless live performances and outstanding musicianship.

“Rex and I began touring when he was 16 and I was 18. Our experiences on the road have taught us what fans want from a touring band,” says Zak. “Our successes–and failures–on stage have made us better performers and song writers.” Beyond dozens of tours in North America, Uncured has toured the European summer festival circuit, including appearances at iconic events such as Bloodstock in the UK and Summer Breeze in Germany. Uncured also toured throughout South America, playing amphitheater venues as direct support to Lacuna Coil.

“There is a unique intensity that comes with playing international shows,” says Rex. “A metal touring package is a major event in most international markets, and the electricity generated by the fans helped us to learn how to write melodies and riffs that build and sustain that energy.”

Most recently, Uncured has become a staple on the U.S. festival scene, with 2023 dates at the Welcome to Rockville Festival, Blue Ridge Rock Fest, along with headlining the Reformatory Stage at Inkcarceration. This summer, Uncured will play the Main Stage at Inkcarceration, along with Rock Fest, and the Metal Injection Festival. “Playing to thousands of fans at a major festival is a unique honor that comes with complex challenges. In large settings, the momentum of the audience swings quickly. We focus on writing powerful, yet accessible groovy songs and perform them with non-stop intensity,” says Rex. “We bring that same festival energy to every theater show we play, big or small.”

Uncured have been writing new material since early 2023, building on their experiences playing live across the globe. “The band has strong opinions about the state of our society, which tends to reward a least common denominator of softness and mediocrity," says Rex. "We tried to write songs that capture the musical power and aggression of the band.”

“We are not looking to please everyone with our new material,” adds Zak. “We tackle a variety of tough topics in our songs in a provocative manner that challenges the norm.”

Uncured’s first single ‘Mask of Sanity’ was released on July 13, 2024. 'Mask of Sanity' starts with an unforgettable guitar whammy hook before launching into a disturbing verse that tells the story of festering lust and deceit. It’s an emotional piece culminating in a rich synth chorus that teases “you should see what’s underneath my mask of sanity.”

“The song is about creating a false, polite facade to mask any thoughts that others may find disturbing or offensive,” Rex reveals. “This behavior is deeply entrenched; we push for a more honest approach with lines such as ‘peel back all my skin, carve up my face’ to encourage listeners to speak out.”

This message of self-actualized freedom despite societal consequences runs through the entirety of Warpath. “What's compelling about ‘Mask of Sanity,’" according to Loudwire, “is the cohesion and fluidity, even when pulling off 180-degree musical turns. Light and heavy parts trade off, but the tension stays.”

Uncured’s second release “Manifesto,” due in August, 2024 bravely tackles some of the most challenging subjects facing us today. Rex explains that the song “casts a wide net, talking about gun violence, child and domestic abuse, sex trafficking, and so many other horrible things in our world. It’s Uncured’s ‘manifesto’ that calls out the real atrocities that lurk beneath the surface of our polite world.” The song exposes violence against invisible, under-protected victims, and the lyric performance captures the band’s rage. Fittingly, 'Manifesto' carries a dirty, industrial groove, with Zak adding chaotic guitar effects in addition to his pounding riffs and epic solos. The outro of 'Manifesto' is yet another surprise as Rex ends his vitriolic rant with a self-reflective, five-part a capela harmony that again reminds us of his incredible vocal range.

On the band’s third release 'Crucify,' Rex raps the lines “I’m sick of being silent” and “I hate the world every time they try to crucify for spitting what’s right.” The song is simultaneously heavy and infectiously groovy, combining massive kicks and thundering bass to showcase Rex’s unique metal rap. A climactic chorus bleeds into a fiery guitar solo. Rex explains, “In our society, we’re conditioned to be silent. Quite frankly, we don’t have the time, temperament, or patience to do that anymore.”

‘Bleed Me Dry’ is a song that rejects mediocrity and complacency. “Every day life is monotonous, especially when there is only a narrow framework for acceptable self-expression,” says Zak. “Despite the ‘slow death’ that comes from the ‘thousand cuts’ of daily indignity, the song pushes the listener to break away from their downward spiral. The song appropriately offers a vibrant, uplifting chorus with massive vocal harmonies, and a deathcore breakdown that tells listeners to “drop it.”

The fight continues with ‘Fall in Line,’ a song that cinematically conjures the weight and oppression of an authoritarian government that limits self-expression. “Social structure has always been a framework for power struggles, and the rules are set by an elite class that wants to preserve its status of privilege,” say Rex. “Consequently, their rules narrow behaviors and opportunities for the rest of us.”

The ominous soundscape of ‘Fall in Line’ exudes military flavor, with marching snares and pounding boots transporting the listener to the parade grounds of a totalitarian state. Rex again showcases his incredible vocal range, voicing different characters in the drama through a variety of spoken tones, whispers and impassioned screams. The song has a pay-off that is sure to become a festival favorite as the entire band sings “fight back let’s hold the line” over Zak’s guitar acrobatics.

Finally, there’s ‘Perfect Specimen,’ Uncured’s most troubling and emotionally complex song. Musically the song is beautiful, with timpani drums framing smooth synths and a lush soundscape. However, as the story twists from one of admiration to control and obsession, Rex transitions his vocals from easy harmonies to wild intensity. ‘Perfect Specimen’ is a song about unhealthy objectification, particularly as it relates to how some men see and treat women.

“The metaphor here is a woman trapped in a glass cage,” explains Zak. “Her entrapment is intended to preserve her as a ‘perfect specimen’ to satisfy the abusive perception of another with more power.” Rex continues by explaining how the song digs deeper still. “The song addresses how real life never lives up to the expectations that come from our perceptions of the world. In seeking to achieve that unrealistic expectation, individuals with power can objectify and humiliate others. The specific story within the song serves as a microcosm for the entrapment many of us feel today.”

All said, the EP Warpath lives up to its name as a mission statement for the band and the legions of fans looking for a new sound with a powerful, undiluted message. “We realize that our message and our sound depart from the safe positioning of today’s modern metal scene,” Rex states. “We understand that the songs are angry and at times controversial. We are ready to accept the consequences of delivering a record that is uncompromising in every respect.”

Zak agrees, “Uncured has something to say about the state of the world that our generation is inheriting. With Warpath, we are on a mission to deliver statement that captures attention for its music, lyrical content, and social commentary.” Mission accomplished.