One word -- METAL!!! Yeah, if you liked Act of Depression for the hardcore sections, you're in for a jolt with this one. While it's not thrown out altogether, this is heavily slanted towards the death/black scene with the addition of a keyboard player, more death vox, and a guitarist that isn't afraid to freaking PLAY that thing.
So let's start at the beginning. Whatever you liked Act... for, it's still here. The keys will surely throw some listeners, but this is still 100% Underoath. The huge guitars still rip with similarly written chops, the vocals and rhythm section still sound roughly the same, and the songs are (get this) now even longer. All of this notwithstanding though, the keys (despite not being played all the time like a real black metal band) really do add a completely new element that's very cool, and the songs are stronger and less repetitive than before. Really, my only suggestion to the band would be to work on new ways to introduce the (seeming hundreds of) riff changes, as the whole "drop everything but the guitars and then come back in" trick gets worn out pretty quickly.
Bottom line is this, though -- this is the disc that will make hardcore kids everywhere grow their hair long and practice tapping their guitars while wearing studded arm bands. Metal is back, better than ever, and Underoath is its name.
9.5/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #86Reviewed by Aaron WreckinthangsBrace yourself! Here comes the metal onslaught you've been waiting for. If brutal death / black metal influenced hardcore with a touch of 80's metal is right up your alley, then Underoath is the band for you. This follow up release to their first album, Act of Depression, almost completes the conversion from hardcore to black metal. This disc is full of double bass, and blistering guitar riffs.…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by WoodensoulOh my ... I guess good metal doesn't come from just Norway. Coming in on their sophomore album, Underoath has done it again. They have blown the minds of metal fans everywhere. Those that have Act of Depression will still get the same underoath ... but packaged along with a few VERY NICE surprises. The thing that I love about this album is the addition of keys and all the black metal elements.…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by Hey YouI'm not gonna try and make a cute little intro for this one. All i have to say is that Underoath is simply the most talented band around. The stuff they pull off is nothing short of inhuman. Corey and Octavio play the guitar faster than anyone I have ever heard. It's almost impossible to be that good. And Aaron is my age (around 17) and plays like he has played for 40 years. Dallas' vocals have…Similar sounding releases
1999ChaliceDeathmask Grin
2002EmbracedAn Orchestrated Failure
2003EnamoredA Weapon for War
2005Sinai BeachImmersed
2004Royal AnguishThe Chronicles of Autumn Sorrow
1999AntidemonDemonocídio
