Underoath has been around for about the last four years, signed for most of that time to Takehold Records. This album, "The Changing of Times," is their first release with Solid State Records.
I've heard people talking about Underoath for a while now, but never took the time to listen. I must admit I wrote them off as yet another mediocre Christian hardcore band copying everyone else. Nevertheless, I got this to review, threw it in and knew that this was something special. Just to bring you up to speed, Underoath plays a very musical version of metal tinted hardcore. The dynamic elements in each song are numerous which makes each song distinct and hard-hitting. I say very musical, because while there are tight metal-style screaming vocals, the way the songs are written makes them come across as regular melodic rock songs. This isn't to say that there isn't a pounding hardcore edge, because there most certainly is, but don't let that scare you away.
One major element of the songs is the keyboards, sometimes playing your standard keyboard sounding effects within the songs, but also sometimes punctuating things with really cool 80's style electronica bursts (think early Joy Electric). My favorite song is "Angel Below" which is probably one of the best songs I've heard all year. This track belongs in a Jet Li movie, at the point where he goes nuts and takes everyone out. Other standout songs are "Short of Daybreak," "When the Sun Sleeps," and Letting Go of Tonight."
Towards the end of "The Best of Me," they have written into the song three notes that sound a lot like the music at the end of Terminator 2. I'm not pointing this out to claim they've ripped anyone off, but instead reveling in how great it sounds. I don't know if this was intentional or not, but either way I love it. I'm not at all familiar with their older stuff, so I can't compare what they're doing with this album in comparison with older material, but the word on the street is that it's different. If you're interested in a very sweet collection of ten songs, get this.
A-
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Duncann TrippThe latest metal-core starts off with a truly unique twist--synthesizers. The addition of a full time keyboard player to the Underoath lineup provides a breath of fresh air to a style that is slowly becoming redundant. When a band decides to write good quality music, the results can be thoroughly enjoyable. That takes a lot of effort, and if a band is willing to put forth that effort, it pays off…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Megan LenzPledging to make a record only to satisfy themselves (and not any one musical scene), Underoath has put out The Changing of Times, a record that serves metalcore and punk, but fails to put a spike on the delivery. The Changing of Times has many of the ingredients needed for an excellent album, but it doesn't quite crystallize into something compelling. Underoath takes an armload of fairly…Similar sounding releases
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