Underoath - Define The Great Line

Posted Mar 28, 2007, by tim .



Underoath broke out in the music scene with the very successful release of "They're Only Chasing Safety" on Tooth And Nail records, Underoath's popularity has grown massively in what is now referred to as the "scene" and among many Christian music lovers. Yes, I did say Christian music lovers! I personally experienced this incredible amount of support of Underoath from the young Christian teens wearing Underoath shirts at every show or any Christian music event. They're Only Chasing Safety is filled with screaming and singing in and out of key and it had its highs and lows but still a good first full length album, even though it does not live up to Define the Great Line.

I first heard Define the Great Line when a friend got a copy of the leaked released and burned me a copy. I had heard rumors of a harder and heavier Underoath and that was very inviting in my book. The first song I heard was "Salamir" and I thought I what I had heard was a joke because "Salamir" is an all instrumental song with no vocals on the track. Then I put on "There Could Be Nothing After This" and instantly was blown away by the heavy and deep sounds of vocalist Tim McTague and James Smith. The screaming is so much deeper but yet still very screamo yet very hardcore metalish at times. Other upsides to DTGL are the new sounds by key boardist Chris Dudley especially heard in "Returning Empty Handed" the sixth track on the cd, where for the first four minutes of the song there is nothing but guitar rips, drum beats and sounds of synthesizing you don't hear in there previous albums. I also was pleasantly surprised when the slow starting track "Moving for the Sake of Motion" turns into hard rips on the guitar and heavy vocals instantly and makes the track unforgettable and an instant favorite track, it had my pressing number eight on my cd player as soon as i got in my car for weeks after first hearing it. Also the start of "In Regards to Self" after the sound of a fast clicking type sound (maybe an old movie player in movie theaters?) then a quick guitar solo that makes you want to raise your hand up and flair your fingers, followed by the hardest and heaviest vocals I have ever heard from Underaoth come in, "Wake up, wake up, wake up, this is not a chance, its not to late call quits". Another plus I found in Define the Great Line was the fact that they still had drummer Aaron Gillepsie (side project band The Almost coming soon!) still plays a major role in Underoath and the band using him as backup vocals to the screaming makes the album so different then most hardcore or screaming bands out there. Define the Great Line is one of the best albums made by any hardcore screaming band of all time and I know you will love it too!

+'s

- Great new heavier Underoath you hadn't heard before.
- Underoath is maturing into one of the best metalcore/hardcore/screamo bands out there.
- Defiantly beats there previous albums.
- This album is just so catchy and makes you wish you were on stage with them!

-'s
- Define the Great line was a little to short only 11 songs should be at least 12
- 2 of the songs are almost all instrumental with little or no vocals at all.
- If you like the softer side of Underoath then you won't think this album is as sick as I do.

You'll love this album if you love...
Underoath- Atreyu- Bullet For My Valentine

Tracks I Dig...
"Casting Such a Thin Shadow"
"Writing on the Walls"
"In Regards to Self"

Overall I give Underoath's Define the Great Line a 4.5 out of 5