Underoath

Members: Spencer Chamberlain, Aaron Gillespie, Timothy McTague, Grant Brandell, Christopher Dudley, James Smith

Active: 1998 - present

HISTORY

When Underoath was formed in 1998 in Ocala, Florida, some might have argued that their sound was on the borderline of what's been familiarized as grindcore, although others would argue that their sound was more closely related to melodic death metal. Their former sound was very brutal and featured a lot of double-bass drums and intense breakdowns. Their first two releases, Act of Depression (1999) and Cries of the Past (2000), showcased the band's sound. The albums featured songs with lengths of six or seven minutes, sometimes longer. Prior to the release of Cries of the Past, keyboardist Chris Dudley joined the band.

However, after the release of Cries of the Past, guitarist Corey Steger left the band. He, along with then-vocalist Dallas Taylor, are credited with giving the band its signature and principle sound. The remaining band members went on to record their first Solid State Records-released album, The Changing of Times. Released on February 26, 2002, the album produced one single, "When the Sun Sleeps." Long-time fans of the band criticized them of losing their touch with The Changing of Times, as it seemed to fall back into the Hardcore genre.

Following the release of the album, the band joined the Vans Warped Tour in 2003 and, during a slew of dates, the band had a falling-out with Dallas Taylor and asked him to leave due to personal conflicts within the band. The band dropped off of the remaining dates of the tour. However, at the CMJ Fest in New York City in October, Underoath proved its naysayers wrong when vocalist Spencer Chamberlain of the metalcore band This Runs Through took the mic and made the role all his own.

During the early months of 2004, the band hit the studio to record their first album with Spencer Chamberlain and their second record for Solid State Records. (They're Only Chasing Safety) has been the band's most commercially-successful record to date, producing two singles in "Reinventing Your Exit" and "It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door." The album has outsold Underoath's previous three albums put together. The sound of the new album is vastly different from the older albums, partly due to the fact that it features only one original member of the band.

Following the release of the album, the band played a number of Warped Tour dates. Then, in the Spring of 2005, the band was asked to participate on the inaugural Taste of Chaos tour. Touring alongside the Used, My Chemical Romance, Killswitch Engage, Senses Fail and a Static Lullaby, the band made its name well-known. Shortly after the tour, the band embarked on its first headlining tour with the Chariot, Fear Before the March of Flames and These Arms Are Snakes. The band premiered two brand-new songs during the length of the tour. They also played several dates on Warped Tour. They declined to play the entire tour because they wanted to take time to record new songs.

In October 2005, (They're Only Chasing Safety) was re-released with four rare songs, new artwork and a DVD with over two hours' worth of footage of the band touring in support of the album. The band entered the studio in January 2006 to record its third album for Solid State Records and its second album with Spencer Chamberlain. An interesting fact about the record is that Chamberlain noted that the vocals will sound less like Dallas Taylor-imitating vocals and more like the vocals of his old band, This Runs Through. The band announced through their website on March 8th, 2006 that the new album would be released on June 20, 2006. On March 15th, 2006 absolutepunk.net reported that the new album would be titled "Define The Great Line", that of which, an unmastered version of the album has already been leaked onto BitTorrent websites (the last song ending halfway through is evidence of this.) They will be playing at Vans Warped Tour 2006 later this year.

ALBUMS

1999 - Act of Depression

2000 - Cries of the Past

2002 - The Changing of Times

2004 -They're Only Chasing Safety

2005 -They're Only Chasing Safety (Special Edition)

2006 - Define the Great Line (June 20, 2006)

2006 - Define the Great Line (Special Edition) (To be released June 20, 2006, Solid State Records)