The Sacramento-Stockton hardcore scene is also known as the 20916, which is the combined area code of the two cities. This scene is home to many hidden gems such as Indrid Cold, Mired and Derogatory. A recent standout from this scene has been Under Negative Intent, who released their EP “Very Cold Reality” on March 20. UNI has been active in the 20916 since the release of their first demo in 2023, which showcased their signature metallic-hardcore beatdown sound on tracks such as “You Don’t Mosh” and “Cause Some Damage.”
UNI started playing shows in Sacramento and Stockton almost immediately after this initial release and has since played in a variety of venues spanning from Pomona to Portland, Oregon. In August of 2024, the band released an EP called “CLEAR2ME”, which further developed the band’s sound and introduced some powerviolence influence to its music.
On the same day as the release of their “Very Cold Reality” EP, it was announced that UNI had been signed to Creator-Destructor Records. Creator-Destructor is based in the Bay Area and has signed other notable California metal and hardcore artists, including SUNAMI, Snuffed on Sight and GULCH.
Being signed to this label seems to have marked a turning point for UNI, as their Instagram page has been updated to begin with the announcement post from Creator-Destuctor, with all previous posts having been deleted. It seems the band is aiming to create a more professional image since being signed.
If professionalism is what UNI aims to achieve, “Very Cold Reality” has certainly achieved that goal. It is by far the band’s tightest release so far, both in production and in songwriting. Whereas the sound could be a little muddy or raw on previous releases, this newest EP sounds clear and polished throughout. Additionally, the band incorporates elements of genres such as hip-hop and melodic hardcore into certain songs, which is a slight deviation from its strictly beatdown background.
The EP opens with the track “UNI Suite ($anctuariez),” a laid-back hip-hop instrumental that serves as an intro. The beat makes use of multiple vocal chopped and looped samples that say the phrase “you and I” as a nod to the band’s name. The track is shockingly catchy for a one-minute opener. I’ve found myself humming its melody more than once.
Another thing this intro does well is prepare the listener to be caught completely off guard by the transition to the next track, “Very Cold Reality.” The title track of the EP opens up with some chunky power chords and a buildup of feedback before a drum fill drops the song into an onslaught of nasty beatdown riffs. While not the lowest tuned, fastest or most technical, UNI’s riffs never fail to create a very strong groove that could make your grandma want to mosh. This track ends with another beat that is in the same vein as the intro.
Next up, “Can’t Stop da Pain” maintains the beatdown vibes of the previous track, but with a focus on stringing together various breakdowns. The drumming on this track is super varied and interesting, with many different patterns and fills, including what I would even call jazzy drumming in one section near the start. UNI also shows its metal influences around the halfway mark of this song when the tempo increases and the guitars start playing quick trills. The song ends with a slowed and chopped version of “You Can’t Stop The Rain” by Loose Ends.
The sounds of rain from the last track still ring out while a melancholic acoustic guitar marks the transition to “Suffering.” Slow, intentional power chords soon join the acoustic guitar, creating a hulking yet melodic and atmospheric track intro. A cry of “The suffering starts now!” takes the track back into familiar beatdown territory, with traces of metallic hardcore coming through occasionally in a tremolo riff. There are a couple of bass riff lead-ins that stood out to me in this song as well, the kind of ominous rumbling bass that makes your stomach turn. Notably, this song features Bay Area hardcore band Manos de Fierro as well as Zaydagawd, who is a member of Crowd Control, 7 Dragons and day hike. It is not specified what these artists contributed to the track, but my guess is the vocals and bass, respectively.
“Crime in the City” acts as less of a full song and more of an interlude for the EP. The song consists mainly of a slow bass riff and simple drum pattern with guitar feedback and a sample from an interview about crime layered over top. It culminates in a short beatdown riff that loops twice.
The final track on this EP is “Purple Reign.” This track has a different overall sound and feel than most of UNI’s previous work, with more obvious melodic hardcore influence. The riffs are much less focused on creating a brutal, relentless groove and much more focused on creating an interesting and varied soundscape. There is even a portion of the song where clean vocals that could be compared to Deftones or They Are Gutting a Body of Water come in. I would say that if shoegaze was hardcore is a fair description of this track. The song does, however, end with a more traditional beatdown breakdown section.
This release from UNI feels like the beginning of a new era for the band, not only due to it being their first release to be put out by a record label, but also because of the evolution of their sound that is showcased on it. Clearly, the band is beginning to experiment with incorporating new sounds into their music and I can’t help but feel they will continue to branch out in the future.
UNI went on a small tour in California from March 25 to 29, following the release of “Very Cold Reality.” Currently, the band is scheduled to play the North West Hardcore Fest in Portland, Oregon on August 1 and 2.
Owen Messer can be reached at [email protected].
