| Unconditional | |
| Type: | Studio |
| Artist: | Memphis May Fire |
| Cover: | Memphis May Fire - Unconditional - from Commons.jpg |
| Released: | March 25, 2014 |
| Recorded: | Chango Studios |
| Length: | 43:20[1] 55:08 (deluxe edition) |
| Label: | Rise |
| Prev Title: | Challenger |
| Prev Year: | 2012 |
| Next Title: | This Light I Hold |
| Next Year: | 2016 |
Unconditional is the fourth studio album by American metalcore band Memphis May Fire. It was released on the March 25, 2014 by Rise Records and distributed by Fontana Distribution. The deluxe edition was released on July 17, 2015.
Memphis May Fire had planned to release their new album in early 2014.[2] The band recorded at Chango Studios with Kellen and Cameron Mizell as the producers.[3] [4]
On December 14, 2013 the band tweeted that they had finished recording their forthcoming album with vocalist Matty Mullins expressing on how proud he was of the album. The album was expected to be an early 2014 release.[5] On December 18, the band announced "The Unconditional Tour" beginning late February through March with fellow acts The Word Alive, A Skylit Drive, Hands Like Houses and Beartooth in the US.[6]
In a studio update for the album, it was announced that it would be titled Unconditional and would be released on March 25, 2014 through Rise Records.[7]
In an Alternative Press interview released on September 7, 2013 the band stated that their new album will "have more of a theatrical feel, as well as orchestral presence" also describing their new album as a "soundtrack to an action film".[8]
In another interview, the band described the sound of their new album, "[It] Just shows maturity. The newest record is very theatrical. It almost feels like a movie soundtrack from start to finish. It’s really awesome. A lot of orchestra stuff playing a big role in the record. It’s just – it’s more mature. I think that our younger audience is going to love it – certain aspects of it – and our older audience is going to really appreciate how far we’ve come as artists. They’re really going to love the record too. It’s great."[9]
On February 6, 2014 the first single, "No Ordinary Love" was streamed through the Rise Records YouTube channel, and the official track listing was also released on this date.[10] The band later released "Sleepless Nights" on February 24[11] and then "Beneath The Skin" on March 11, 2014.[12] [13] On March 13, 2014, Rise Records released a playlist of the full album on YouTube,[14] announced by Mullins who tweeted, "Sometimes you gotta leak your own record!" [15]
Unconditional debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200,[16] No. 1 on the Top Rock Albums and the Billboard Alternative Albums chart,[17] [18] selling around 27,000 copies in the first week. The album has sold 83,000 copies in the United States as of September 2016.[19]
All lyrics written by Matty Mullins, all music composed by Kellen McGregor and Memphis May Fire.
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart (The Official Charts Company)[20] | 190 |
| US Billboard 200 | 4 |
| US Billboard Alternative Albums | 1 |