Massachusetts metalcore enthusiasts Unearth formed in 1998 and immediately started rocking, both in around Boston and on the road. They quickly built up a strong following, booking tours with such like-minded acts as the Black Dahlia Murder and Killswitch Engage and supporting big names like Lamb of God and Slipknot. After issuing Above the Fall of Man (Endless Flight) in 1999 Unearth jumped to Eulogy for two albums, 2001's Stings of Conscience and Endless the following year. Their biggest exposure came in 2004 with the furious Metal Blade release Oncoming Storm. The album was a critical and fan favorite, and Unearth supported it with a slot on summer 2004's Sounds of the Underground Tour, which featured such tastemaking metal and post-hardcore acts as Lamb of God, Poison the Well, and Clutch. Unearth's lineup included vocalist Trevor Phipps, guitarists Ken Susi and Buz McGrath, bassist John Maggard, and drummer Mike Justian. The band released III: In the Eyes of Fire in August of 2006.