UnderØath - Define The Great Line

[Gabe Gross]

Underoath – Define the Great Line
Release Date: June 20, 2006
Record Label: Tooth & Nail / Solid State


Chasing the safety of their last release, Underoath have returned with Define The Great Line, an album that undeniably marks the transition of how accessible metalcore can be. After two years of extended touring, the Florida sextet joined co-producers Matt Goldman (Copeland, Cartel) and Adam Dutkiwicz (guitarist for Killswitch Engage) to create a release that would showcase both talent and growth. Pleased with their six-man lineup and indie label Tooth & Nail imprint Solid State, Define the Great Line is undoubtedly a record that shows how masterfully a band can be both delicate and brutal with the same sound. Three apparent differences arise in this transition record: bottomless metal influence, the depth and variety of vocal work and excessive percussions.

With the breakout of They’re Only Chasing Safety (selling over 350,000 copies), Underoath—Spencer Chamberlain (screamster), Tim McTague (guitar), James Smith (guitar), Chris Dudley (keyboards), Grant Brandell (bass) and Aaron Gillespie (drums/vocals)—may have something to prove to their fans, among others, but this album goes to show they will never write the same album twice. Fans expecting to hear another arena-style, screamo album will be disappointed that catchy, sing-along lines from TOCS are stomped out by murderous guitars, blood-curdling and charming vocals, remarkable drumming and fragmented electronics. Underoath rip and roar without an ounce of hesitation.

In the first seconds of Define the Great Line, Chamberlain wakes the dead with an authoritative call: "Wake up, wake up my God. This is not a test.” "In Regards To Myself" shreds with high intensity and invigorate fans with an anthem they have been waiting two years to hear. And this is only the beginning. The following two tracks (“A Moment Suspended In Time” and “There Could Be Nothing After This”) reach out to listeners eager to hear diversity and range. While “Salmarnir” is an ever-atmospheric, spoken word track of Psalm 50:1-6 (read out in Russian). The track stretches over a short couple minutes and provides a subdued intermission which runs along the lines of “The Blue Note.”

The fastest song, which appeals to fans of The Changing of Times as well as They're Only Chasing Safety is "Moving For The Sake Of Motion." While the track begins rather ordinarily, it only goes to prove that Underoath can take something basic and escape with something of their own. Using "Writing On The Walls" as the first single was a wise choice, because instrumentally it speaks of what the rest of the album really gets into, all the while still keeping their artistic intergrity and not selling themselves short. It displays the brutality of metalcore, the range of atmospheres in the guitars and the collection of vocal variety. All in all these songs do not work well as seperate tracks or a single. Define The Great Line is not a collection of songs but rather as parts of an element. "To Whom It May Concern " ends the album with a half dozen tempo changes that give listeners a chance to rest between thrashing session on this seven-minute song.

Strictly focusing on the vocals and lyrics, Chamberlain and Gillespie, are unbreakable. Underoath may be well known for their tag team vocals between Gillespie and Chamberlain, but Define the Great Line paints a canvas for how their dueling vocal performances have developed. Spencer has amassed more eruptive vocals since TOCS. His prominent scream is now accompanied by yells, shouts, growls and even bratty shrieks (“There Could Be Nothing After This” and "Everyone Looks So Good From Here"). And whether Aaron is singing against his own aggressive drumming or violently harmonizing with Spencer ("You’re Ever So Inviting"), his voice sheens at the comfort of their musicianship. When it comes to lyrics, Chasing Safety begged of bargaining, discretion and culturing wisdom. Define is marked with more personal battles and surrounds themes of identity, fear and repentance. While their Christian faith is still apparent, these songs do not sing like hymns; more so prayers.

While there still may be residual chords, riffs and hooks from TOCS hanging around Define (perhaps we can point the finger at Goldman for that one, as he is famed for more pop-driven albums), production is well-directed and non-confrontational. Thanks to the mixing done by the infamous Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, Stone Temple Pilots), the free-flowing and monumental building of choruses punch through effectively. Vocals aren’t overran by instruments and the guitars strike without deflection.

Whether you've been an old fan, a new fan or a fair-weather fan this album is an awakening. With twists and turns in tempos, volumes and ranges, Underoath go big or go home (and based on their touring schedules, they don't go home). Without a doubt, this album will be talked about for years to come.

RIYL – Botch, Alexisonfire, Norma Jean

[Cue the Sun]

Good review. I might just have to check this out now

[xeightoh3xx]

Yeah; this CD is amazing.

[Drew Beringer]

Album of the year.

EDIT: That I've heard so far this year lol

[Darren McLeod]

seeing that Ø kept annoying me.

i should probably listen to this one of these days.
Album of the year.
Isn't this the third one you've said that about?

[Drew Beringer]

seeing that Ø kept annoying me.

i should probably listen to this one of these days.

Isn't this the third one you've said that about?

Moneen, Underoath, yep that sounds right haha. For a minute I thought Format was, but it lost staying power with me big time. There is always a change in what I think is the best album, that's why I always said with Moneen that they were the best album so far, until I heard Underoath, so yeah whatever haha

[Shatter_Glass]

Good review. I might just have to check this out now

Dear Heavens! WAKE UPx3 ?!?!?! "might"????

[jpgretzky15]

dude. they have a guy named chris dudley in their band. beautiful.

[abusedcat]

adam isn't the frontman.

[drudo182]

Great review. I am so pumped for this and jealous you have heard it all completed...two more days.

[drudo182]

dude. they have a guy named chris dudley in their band. beautiful.

and chris is awesome. his work surrounds the band.

[xtianheadbanger]

good review
got the rating id thought it give
apparently unlike angels and airwaves it lived up to expectations

[NameTaken69]

very good review, cant wait to pick up the special edition on tuesday

[funnylittlefrog]

great review, great album.

[drudo182]

very good review, cant wait to pick up the special edition on tuesday

yeah, im getting that one too.

anyone know exactly what is included on the dvd? just wondering.

[mybreakingpoint]

best review i've read in a long time. awesome job.

this cd is going to be amazing. i hate metalcore. and almost all hardcore, for that matter. but i love this band and this cd.

[newfoundmichael]

a lot more heavy from what I have heard so far. I'm looking forward to picking this up.

[McSavah]

I'm getting the special edition, love the artwork from it

[gonz]

was this on the frontpage anywhere, i was just scrolling and saw this under reviews and flipped. anyways, this might be the best review i've read on this site. cannot wait to get my hands on the special edition on tuesday, i loved their DVD for the TOCS re-issue so i hope this is just as good

[astaticvendetta]

am i the only one who thinks this cd is just ok??.. a dissapointment to me, too much filler..the cd loses momentum with the chant and dragged on songs..

[PlusDanny]

Yeah, I've listened through a couple times and it's not hitting me. I think anytime a band avoids using a chorus as much as possible, people eat it up though and call it some brilliant achievement. I'll wait for the final cut before I decide for sure. I'm not giving up on you Underoath.

[Gabe Gross]

Yeah, I've listened through a couple times and it's not hitting me. I think anytime a band avoids using a chorus as much as possible, people eat it up though and call it some brilliant achievement. I'll wait for the final cut before I decide for sure. I'm not giving up on you Underoath.

what makes you think they have given up on a chorus?? weird.

[Drew Beringer]

what makes you think they have given up on a chorus?? weird.
I think he means that the song structure is different from TOCS. UO isn't following the verse-chorus-verse-bridge formula on this album, and I'm glad that they avoid that.

[GoWaitInTheCar]

This cd caught me a bit off guard. I wasn't expecting them to release something hard again. Though I may have the unmastered version right now, it sounds great.

Tracks 1-4 are exactly what I've been waiting for from this band.

[traumalikerain]

wonderful review. and awesome album.

when are you guys going to have the interview with underoath\when are you going to post it up here?

[GoWaitInTheCar]

am i the only one who thinks this cd is just ok??.. a dissapointment to me, too much filler..the cd loses momentum with the chant and dragged on songs..

The unmastered version, starting on "Salamir" kinda goes down hill, the following three songs all have long instrumental openers so I can see what you mean, it slows down to much, I like all the songs, but it would have been better if they spread them out.

But if they did that, this cd would be incredible. As of right now, I really really like it, but not love. Tracks 1-4 are amazing. "In Regards To Self" I am going to be playing for a long long time.

[PlusDanny]

what makes you think they have given up on a chorus?? weird.
Hmm, I don't know how to answer that since I never said they gave up on a chorus. Read what Drew said. I appreciate what they've done though, because they've obviously impressed quite a few people with the new album. It's not what I expected at all.

[mylastbreath13]

Great Review. I'm definitely picking this up at Best-Buy on Tuesday. From what I've heard it sounds very intense but still with that hint of beauty that Underoath always manages to bring.

[Gabe Gross]

wonderful review. and awesome album.

when are you guys going to have the interview with underoath\when are you going to post it up here?
tuesday

[Gabe Gross]

Hmm, I don't know how to answer that since I never said they gave up on a chorus. Read what Drew said. I appreciate what they've done though, because they've obviously impressed quite a few people with the new album. It's not what I expected at all.

i see what you're saying. There is certainly a development in song structures and there a new vibe from the keys which I love. It isn't as grinding as bare metal shreds, underoath still have that atmospheric and industrial sound going on.

[Ryan Imhof]

Welcome back, Gabe. http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/editor/smilie.gif

[asdfjkl]

i'm really impressed with this album. i've never cared much about underoath at all, but i listened because of all the good things i've heard, and i really, really enjoy it. i'll definitely be buying it on tuesday.

good review, too.

[perrone]

gabe...you're killing me, smalls

[Gabe Gross]

gabe...you're killing me, smalls

haha...thanks.

[anthony_jr]

this album is sooo sooo goood.

[brutusUbastard]

wow thats incredibly overrated.

[FeynmanWannabe]

Thanks to the mixing done by the infamous Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, Stone Temple Pilots), the free-flowing and monumental building of choruses punch through effectively. I'm not really familiar with his work, but why the choice of the word "infamous"?

Pretty good review. I haven't heard this yet.

[Mattx]

Glad I waited til the mastered version was available before giving it a listen, really enjoying the final thing. I think Underoath will be very proud of what they've done with this album, it sounds so much more complete and well-rounded than their previous efforts. The return to their heavier roots might surprise some but I suggest you give this album a chance as it really is fantastic.

[westsidas2000]

This fuckin cd tears a hole into every single one of my organs. Incredible, incredible incredible.

[Jess6man2000]

sooo good

[ASUFocker]

Everyone should wait 9 months until the re-release comes out with extra tracks and a DVD

[Toner]

Only heard the version on MTV's leak at the moment, but I am definately going to pick up a copy. I've been waiting for an album like this since From Autumn To Ashes' "Too Bad You're Beautiful", but they have done nothing but disappoint since that release. Brutal.

[SuperJoe]

yay! jesusXcore!

[fallafelraffle]

a typo in the first sentence? get it together man

"Chasing the safety of their last release, UnderØath have returned with Define The Great Line, an album that undeniable marks"

[dumbcorey]

amazing album.

[irishpunk14]

I don't think i'm going to get it.

[MarkyMark1984]

thanks for the review! can't wait to pick it up tomorrow! i'm seeing them today at warped tour.... i'm hoping to see timmy or any of the others just walkin' around hanging out, cuz i know they really love interacting with the fans.

[PunkENG]

How is Underoath considered metalcore? This band is such a screamo band and is worshipped by all the teenage screamo kids out there who wear girls jeans and need haircuts. Whining doesn't equal music. Screaming doesn't equal metalcore.

[walshknilb281]

Album of the Fuckin Year

[a speedo model]

i'm still debating whether to get this or not...

[a speedo model]

How is Underoath considered metalcore? This band is such a screamo band and is worshipped by all the teenage screamo kids out there who wear girls jeans and need haircuts. Whining doesn't equal music. Screaming doesn't equal metalcore.

hahaha, shut the fuck up.

[dontgrabtindy]

good review

[unwritten]

Sweet review dude. I can't wait to buy this album tomorrow.

[ClemTiger0408]

Chasing the safety of their last release

You're so punny

[dbarker02]

These guys blow.

[dubey]

Amazing. I don't even want to listen to TOCS anymore after hearing this.

[AntiSlade2.0]

this band is great! they are better than A7X cus they don't sell out..
FashionxCore for life!!

[weworemasks]

Everyone should wait 9 months until the re-release comes out with extra tracks and a DVD
the special edition is being released with a DVD. nice try, though.
Amazing. I don't even want to listen to TOCS anymore after hearing this.

agreed.

[Scott Weber]

How is Underoath considered metalcore? This band is such a screamo band and is worshipped by all the teenage screamo kids out there who wear girls jeans and need haircuts. Whining doesn't equal music. Screaming doesn't equal metalcore.
have you even heard this record?

[_all_star_me_]

i need this record.

[elsupl]

How is Underoath considered metalcore? This band is such a screamo band and is worshipped by all the teenage screamo kids out there who wear girls jeans and need haircuts. Whining doesn't equal music. Screaming doesn't equal metalcore.
I've never felt the need to post anything ever before, but God. Underoath is not screamo in the least. If you're going to try to correct someone, make sure the correction is right first.

also: good review, not the biggest fan, but it captures it pretty well.

[ambiotic]

This album is top knotch, and I think the production is the best ive heard in the screamo genre so far, I just hope this concept of making your songs, well more musicaly absolute, rubs off on other bands that think if you add more catchy popy hooks it will make the music more accessable. This just shows if you make a flawless album the kids will go buy it, leaked or not. Take note RIAA!

[yufli]

yeah the review looks really good and i'm glad because as i suspected, i don't think i'll like this album.

i really liked You're Only Chasing Safety; the screaming in that album was really good and i really enjoyed the way it sounds, but it reads like this album is a lot more metal-influenced, which isn't my thing.

so thanks for the good review to let me know what's up.

[wesgemm08]

How is Underoath considered metalcore? This band is such a screamo band and is worshipped by all the teenage screamo kids out there who wear girls jeans and need haircuts. Whining doesn't equal music. Screaming doesn't equal metalcore.
you obviously dont know what real screamo is at all

p.s. if you can give the instrumentals on this a 9.5, the d.e.p. full length when it comes back should get at least a 28.7, these songs arent that great and unique, there hundreds of bands across the country putting out stuff that sounds pretty much identical

[splitsecond]

Excellent review Gabe. Pretty much mirrors my thoughts on the album. The mixing on the album is incredible. So many parts and instruments are involved at times, but Lord-Alge is a master at making everything still shine through.

Ill be banging down the door at Best Buy tomorrow to pick this one up.

[Adeniz19]

How is Underoath considered metalcore? This band is such a screamo band and is worshipped by all the teenage screamo kids out there who wear girls jeans and need haircuts. Whining doesn't equal music. Screaming doesn't equal metalcore.have you listened to the new album? also pre-chasing safety days is pure metalcore.

[dpmurph]

That is an absolutely amazing review, exactly what I was expecting it to get.

[littlebeav]

Amazing review. I will most definately be picking the Special Edition up tomorrow.

[401KiLL]

Great Review and even greater album

[lucasfcosta]

great review, not that great album. its good, but it doesnt bring nothing new to the table, imho

[tragedyco]

i dont like this cd at all.

[12:46AM]

great review.

[Vicky82]

i am unbelievably pumped for 4:30 when i get off work and can buy the album

[crazytoledo]

Underoath is the most overrated band I've seen in quite some time.

This album is in no way better than every other band playing this style.

The songs all sound the same too.

3/10

[Scott Weber]

Underoath is the most overrated band I've seen in quite some time.

This album is in no way better than every other band playing this style.

The songs all sound the same too.

3/10
Yet you like the Classic Crime CD?

[xtianheadbanger]

this is the best record ever...
music aside the artwork is amazing, tells a tale all of us live
the lyrics and message of this album are so awesome
the music and song writing is beautiful as well as the order and production
10/10 fo sho

[fenderbassist]

This record is amazing, so much to offer.

[Saucey McRib]

The production on this CD is the best I've heard in a long time. It sounds so heavy but you can hear everything so clearly. Awesome.

[crazytoledo]

Yet you like the Classic Crime CD?

And weren't you the one that liked From First to Last's 'Heroine.'

[Drew Beringer]

And weren't you the one that liked From First to Last's 'Heroine.'
Dude you gave Roses Are Red an 88 and like Greeley Estates.

[Scott Weber]

And weren't you the one that liked From First to Last's 'Heroine.'
I gave FFTL a 7...hardly a glowing review like yours of Roses are Red. And at least the FFTL CD is somewhat innovative, image aside. It's solid but I haven't listened to it since I reviewed it. Need a refresher? Go look it up.

[crazytoledo]

Drew, you can't really say anything about the Greely Estates thing for the same reason I really can't bring up the FFTL issue. Scott gave em a 7 (FFTL), I'd give the Greeley Estate album a 7. I like the cover art and haven't made myself my own avatar, so I'm just using it for now.

And as for Roses Are Red, what can I say? I normally like one release like this a year (Lovehatehero's 'Just Breathe' was last years album) and I eat up the vocals/lyrics.

And From First to Last aren't the worst musicians, but I still don't see how the scenesters (or anyone else for that matter) can even handle Sonny's vocals. He's probably the worst vocalist on the market right now, right ahead of Aiden's WiL Francis.

[Scott Weber]

Define the Great Line has 10 times the musicianship, songwriting, and talent that Roses Are Red's new record does. Period. I just don't see how you can sit here and pop in staff review threads and talk shit on our reviews when a) you can't write. b) your taste is questionable at best considering what you choose to worship and what you tend to talk shit on.

[Drew Beringer]

Drew, you can't really say anything about the Greely Estates thing for the same reason I really can't bring up the FFTL issue. Scott gave em a 7 (FFTL), I'd give the Greeley Estate album a 7. I like the cover art and haven't made myself my own avatar, so I'm just using it for now.

And as for Roses Are Red, what can I say? I normally like one release like this a year (Lovehatehero's 'Just Breathe' was last years album) and I eat up the vocals/lyrics.

And From First to Last aren't the worst musicians, but I still don't see how the scenesters (or anyone else for that matter) can even handle Sonny's vocals. He's probably the worst vocalist on the market right now, right ahead of Aiden's WiL Francis.

It doesn't matter if you only gave GE a 7, you just said you would give Underoath a 3 which is just absurd.

[crazytoledo]

First off, I didn't come in here and talk shit. I posted my opinion of not liking it and then Scott brought up my taste in music. Ironically, I do listen to a lot of well liked music that is actual punk, but I don't bother reviewing it (Millencolin, Pennywise, Refused, No Trigger, Crime in Stereo).

And for 'Define the Great Line,' it's an opinion. I don't like the album for two reasons. First off, every song pretty much sounds and does the same thing. It really isn't anything that can seperate it's self from track to track and sounds like every other band in it's structure and format. The only thing worthy is some of the guitar work, but in the end, it's not going to mean much when the song's are still boring and repetitive. Also, the vocals are pretty bad here. I don't understand why people are all over this, especially since there is no difference between this and a lot of other similar artists.

And here's another opinion from another site that I have to agree with (for the most part):

"Why are you surprised that no one here wants to review a band like Underoaths new CD? I think your a little confused as to what the majority of regular posters and album reviewers here are into. Heres a hint...most of them dont like generic bullshit metalcore."

This album isn't worth the hype at all.

[crazytoledo]

Also, the Roses Are Red CD isn't extremly out there in forms of talent, but they do manage to craft songs that don't all sound the same and the album is catchy with strong lyrics, something that 'Define the Great Line' doesn't have. 'Define the Great Line' is as forgettable as it gets.

[Scott Weber]

This album isn't worth the hype at all.

And there's a reason Roses are Red don't get hyped at all.

/opinions.

[Scott Weber]

p.s. bullshit metalcore but you like atreyu?

[crazytoledo]

p.s. bullshit metalcore but you like atreyu?

That was someone'e else opinion that I even stated I sort of agree with. I like Atreyu, you like Haste the Day. To a lot of people it's the same thing. And you know, for awhile there, people didn't all hate Atreyu. I've seen numerous people go out and hate on Atreyu now but they're also the same people that loved them when they put out 'Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses.'

Also, as for the Roses Are Red hype, it did get some. First off, AP listed it as one of the most antcipated releases of 2006 and Absolute Punk did have them in the band spotlight and make a big deal about the leaking of the album. So apparently there was some hype.

[crazytoledo]

Here's my full two cents:

http://crazytoledo.com/ultpunk/reviews/reviews/57.php

P.S. You gotta love throwing together a crappy music site to half ass your way through a school project. Requires no effort and keeps your grade where it's at.

[Scott Weber]

Here's my full two cents:

http://crazytoledo.com/ultpunk/reviews/reviews/57.php

P.S. You gotta love throwing together a crappy music site to half ass your way through a school project. Requires no effort and keeps your grade where it's at.
did you actually call Underoath a "shout/sing" band? It makes me wonder if you even listened to this record. Go listen to track 10 again.

[brutusUbastard]

Underoath is the most overrated band I've seen in quite some time.

This album is in no way better than every other band playing this style.

The songs all sound the same too.

3/10

You're right about this CD, yet an idiot for glorifying the Atreyu CD when its genric as hell as well.

[crazytoledo]

did you actually call Underoath a "shout/sing" band? It makes me wonder if you even listened to this record. Go listen to track 10 again.

Trust me I listened to it. And their is singing on the album. And it appears on numerous tracks. So the band is a shout/sing band.

[Scott Weber]

Trust me I listened to it. And their is singing on the album. And it appears on numerous tracks. So the band is a shout/sing band.
"Their." Haha. Alright, man. Each to their own.

[crazytoledo]

*There*

I typo'd.

And yea, to each their own.

[Troggy]

I don't particularly want to get in the middle of the taste war you guys started, but I wanted to add a few things to the general discussion. Firstly, underoath isn't a metalcore band anymore. Just because there is a little more screaming than is on a static lullaby record doesn't make it "metal" ore "metalcore". It's a screamo/rock album and it doesn't stray from that trend in its entirety. They don't play metal riffs all over the place like they are trying to imitate At the Gates. You get the picture.

This album isn't original in any aspect. If anything it sounds like T&N and Solid State dumped all of their artists into a somewhat large pot and smashed the heck out of it to try and make one cohesive substance.

With that said though, I do LIKE the album. I keep getting strange flashbacks of He Is Legend, As Cities Burn, even The Starting Line (listen to a few of those emo verses again) when I listen to it, and I think that is because they owe a little part of who they are to all of those bands.

Underoath can be forgiven for TOCS, losing the focal point of the group, Dallas, had the group making the decision whether to a) write the same record again even though there is a new vocalist or b) pick something new and try to make it work. I suppose this record is their first being comfortable with the new lineup, because TOCS (even though I own it and do enjoy it) is an easy generic album.

The thing that I like about the new disc is that the crucial melodic sections (because look, UnderOath is still selling HOOKS, despite their prominent hardcore tendencies, they are, if anything "pop/metal" IE, the screaming is nice, but what is crafted for you to hold onto is the melodies, contrast this with an actual metal band like Converge, who incorporate melody without hardly ever singing a note) are amplified because of their placement and tendency to not be repeated throughout the song. There are less "choruses", which is nice, not because I want to call it "complex" or "original", because it is not, but because it gives the band a chance to take songs further melodically and keep them exciting for the entire length.

I don't think it should be more hyped than "Hey underoath has a new album check it out if you like them" because it isn't the next step to some glorius epiphany of the perfect screamo/emo/rock record, but I don't think people should call it flat out BAD, either. It's enjoyable as a rock album, and although it puts on some masks along the way, it doesn't have to fool you to make it a decent listen.

I haven't picked up the album yet but I probably will. Underoath has been a favorite band of mine for years and I shouldn't give up on them when they are still writing new and different albums each time around. Should we really criticize them so much when we all listen to countless bands who rewrite the same record every few years?

[Gabe Gross]

I don't particularly want to get in the middle of the taste war you guys started, but I wanted to add a few things to the general discussion. Firstly, underoath isn't a metalcore band anymore. Just because there is a little more screaming than is on a static lullaby record doesn't make it "metal" ore "metalcore". It's a screamo/rock album and it doesn't stray from that trend in its entirety. They don't play metal riffs all over the place like they are trying to imitate At the Gates. You get the picture.

This album isn't original in any aspect. If anything it sounds like T&N and Solid State dumped all of their artists into a somewhat large pot and smashed the heck out of it to try and make one cohesive substance.

With that said though, I do LIKE the album. I keep getting strange flashbacks of He Is Legend, As Cities Burn, even The Starting Line (listen to a few of those emo verses again) when I listen to it, and I think that is because they owe a little part of who they are to all of those bands.

Underoath can be forgiven for TOCS, losing the focal point of the group, Dallas, had the group making the decision whether to a) write the same record again even though there is a new vocalist or b) pick something new and try to make it work. I suppose this record is their first being comfortable with the new lineup, because TOCS (even though I own it and do enjoy it) is an easy generic album.

The thing that I like about the new disc is that the crucial melodic sections (because look, UnderOath is still selling HOOKS, despite their prominent hardcore tendencies, they are, if anything "pop/metal" IE, the screaming is nice, but what is crafted for you to hold onto is the melodies, contrast this with an actual metal band like Converge, who incorporate melody without hardly ever singing a note) are amplified because of their placement and tendency to not be repeated throughout the song. There are less "choruses", which is nice, not because I want to call it "complex" or "original", because it is not, but because it gives the band a chance to take songs further melodically and keep them exciting for the entire length.

I don't think it should be more hyped than "Hey underoath has a new album check it out if you like them" because it isn't the next step to some glorius epiphany of the perfect screamo/emo/rock record, but I don't think people should call it flat out BAD, either. It's enjoyable as a rock album, and although it puts on some masks along the way, it doesn't have to fool you to make it a decent listen.

I haven't picked up the album yet but I probably will. Underoath has been a favorite band of mine for years and I shouldn't give up on them when they are still writing new and different albums each time around. Should we really criticize them so much when we all listen to countless bands who rewrite the same record every few years?

1, They are metalcore. They do play metal riffs. But I will understand your debate based on the layered vocals and singing.

2. Originality is not a crucial element for substance. I know SEVERAL bands that have used simple tactics and made stellar albums (eg. any Jimmy Eat World album)

3. TOCS is hardly easy and generic. I will admit that its not the most perplexing music ever, but extreme vocabulary like that is unacceptable.

4. I don't think they are intentionally selling hooks but rather helping the fans that they have recently gained with TOCS to see who they actually are. If you reread my review you will see that i dub this album as a transitory record. All to a certain extent.

5. Why do you think music is trying to fool anyone? That is ridiculous! ave you ever written a song before? Probably not. Because I dont know a single person (with a soul) that would try and "mask" or "fool" fans or listeners. Sorry man, that's just outrageous.

6. You're retarded. Because apparently you don't even have the album. But awesome for you on making assumptions. Please come back after you have listened to it for a week.

Peace.

[Troggy]

2. I agree with you I was just expressing what I was hearing based on some sections of the album. In reality, they aren't a huge rip off of any of those other bands and I wasn't trying to criticize them.

3. Yeah I didn't mean to short change TOCS. I love the album. It is more formulaic than most of their other stuff but it usually saves itself due to sheer songwriting. IE "Down Set Go" doesn't have a great chorus in my opinion, but the end of the song makes up for that in pure emotion. It's a fun disc that I accept for what it is, but what it is can be easily classified as screamo I suppose.

4. Let me put it this way, when I buy a Converge album I don't look for cute singing hooks to make the songs appealing to me. When I bought the new Underoath album I knew that I would like or dislike (at first) most of the tracks based on the memorable singing sections that were in each one. Think about the parts of the songs that stick in your head first from the new album. With the exception of the opening section where the yells go "pull yourself together man" most of the ones I recall are the melodic singing portions. That's just how I approach the different genres of metal so that's me. I wasn't meaning to say they're selling hooks, but the way they have written the past two albums, you can't deny the importance of the singing vocals.

5. I meant based on the fact that some people would call it a "metalcore" record when I look at it as a whole and can't make that assertion. Killswitch Engage write "metalcore" records cover to cover, but Underoath does something vastly different from them. While some sections of the album lend themselves to tagging with that label, the whole thing collectively is much more than that so I don't want people to get fooled into writing it off as something that is supposed to be "metalcore" because it's not, it's supposed to be a underoath record, and that's it.

6. I had heard it leaked already and I bought it today with the DVD and everything. I love it.

Hopefully you see where I'm coming from now, I'm sorry i was so unclear before :/

[crazytoledo]

1. Personally Underoath isn't a full out metalcore band. They don't really infuse much, if any, hardcore into their music. Metalcore is metal/hardcore. But with the way the label is thrown around, it's nearly impossible to avoid the metalcore label here. I'd probably go with the screamo label before metalcore though.

2. Sure originality isn't the biggest thing when it comes to an enjoyable album, but with all the perfect/near-perfect scores and fans gushing this as one of the best releases ever, it should at least do something different.

3. 'TOCS' is about 5x times worse than this release and I can only think of one song that I'd say is enjoyable. This is an improvement (but not that big of an improvement).

4. Yea Underoath is going to try to fall back on the melodic parts and the singing, but the clean parts still really aren't that catchy. None of them got stuck in my head and by the time the next song came on, I couldn't remember a single thing about the previous song.

6. If anything you'd be more of the idiot for flaming someone for literally no reason. It was pretty clear that TROGGY has heard this album and when he said he didn't have it, it was kind of obvious he meant he hasn't bought it, but has heard of it. Now adays more people talking about albums don't actually own them, but they just go out and download them or listen to the stream (and this album did have a full album stream on the web).

[FuryCore]

GREAT review. I loved it.

[Gabe Gross]

2. I agree with you I was just expressing what I was hearing based on some sections of the album. In reality, they aren't a huge rip off of any of those other bands and I wasn't trying to criticize them.

3. Yeah I didn't mean to short change TOCS. I love the album. It is more formulaic than most of their other stuff but it usually saves itself due to sheer songwriting. IE "Down Set Go" doesn't have a great chorus in my opinion, but the end of the song makes up for that in pure emotion. It's a fun disc that I accept for what it is, but what it is can be easily classified as screamo I suppose.

4. Let me put it this way, when I buy a Converge album I don't look for cute singing hooks to make the songs appealing to me. When I bought the new Underoath album I knew that I would like or dislike (at first) most of the tracks based on the memorable singing sections that were in each one. Think about the parts of the songs that stick in your head first from the new album. With the exception of the opening section where the yells go "pull yourself together man" most of the ones I recall are the melodic singing portions. That's just how I approach the different genres of metal so that's me. I wasn't meaning to say they're selling hooks, but the way they have written the past two albums, you can't deny the importance of the singing vocals.

5. I meant based on the fact that some people would call it a "metalcore" record when I look at it as a whole and can't make that assertion. Killswitch Engage write "metalcore" records cover to cover, but Underoath does something vastly different from them. While some sections of the album lend themselves to tagging with that label, the whole thing collectively is much more than that so I don't want people to get fooled into writing it off as something that is supposed to be "metalcore" because it's not, it's supposed to be a underoath record, and that's it.

6. I had heard it leaked already and I bought it today with the DVD and everything. I love it.

Hopefully you see where I'm coming from now, I'm sorry i was so unclear before :/

4. When you buy Converge, you know what you're going to get. When you buy Underoath You know what you're going to get. Most people, seriously, didn't know Underoath before TOCS, so their judgements are going to be based off that. If you were a big fan of Underoath during TCOT, then you hated that Dallas left and that Spencer and Aaron started wussing up the metal that they use to perform. Since this is who they are know (their lineup as is) then this album is perfectly subsequenting the last 2 (even 3) albums whether you are a newer fan or an old fan. This is also a developmental tactic for themselves. If they wanted to sel hooks then they would have signed with a major label. But they didn't and you an read several recent interviews on why they didn't. And if you are going to judge a band's genre based on vocal content, then that's short-sighted (that goes out to everyone, not just you). Yes, I shouldn't deny the vocals but have you heard the drums and keys on this album, holy shit! Especially the drums. We need to stop skimming the surface just to make an inconvenient point.

5. I'm calling it metalcore because the main counterpoint is to call it screamo. And it's not screamo. No one knows their damn genres and just throws words around flippantly. I call it metalcore because they have a strong background in hardcore and metal (please listen to their complete catalog before refuting me on this). By no means is it screamo, just because someone yells/screams doesn't mean its screamo so stop writing it off as that (this goes for crazytoledo too). Again you're being short-sighted. Please stop.

6. If you listened to the leak at all and made any judgements based on that, you're foolish and you know it. Thanks being respectful and for the purchase man. Listen to "There Could Be Nothing After This" and think of me. Ha

1. Personally Underoath isn't a full out metalcore band. They don't really infuse much, if any, hardcore into their music. Metalcore is metal/hardcore. But with the way the label is thrown around, it's nearly impossible to avoid the metalcore label here. I'd probably go with the screamo label before metalcore though.

2. Sure originality isn't the biggest thing when it comes to an enjoyable album, but with all the perfect/near-perfect scores and fans gushing this as one of the best releases ever, it should at least do something different.

3. 'TOCS' is about 5x times worse than this release and I can only think of one song that I'd say is enjoyable. This is an improvement (but not that big of an improvement).

4. Yea Underoath is going to try to fall back on the melodic parts and the singing, but the clean parts still really aren't that catchy. None of them got stuck in my head and by the time the next song came on, I couldn't remember a single thing about the previous song.

6. If anything you'd be more of the idiot for flaming someone for literally no reason. It was pretty clear that TROGGY has heard this album and when he said he didn't have it, it was kind of obvious he meant he hasn't bought it, but has heard of it. Now adays more people talking about albums don't actually own them, but they just go out and download them or listen to the stream (and this album did have a full album stream on the web).

1. You're a teenager that knows very littel about music and you know that. It haunts you at night that you are faking this fight.

2. Your review didn't give it a perfect score, but then again you write poorly written reviews.

3. I can't trust you're judgement on music based on past responses and reviews. You do not show any objectivity...at all.

Please post your reviews on a site where they are welcome. kthx.

[crazytoledo]

1. I'm 17. There are reviews that are staff on this site that are barely older than that. Age honestly isn't everything.

2. Not all of my reviews are that badly written. Sure, compared to the likes of some people, yea they aren't as good. But if you actually get bored and go out and read a majority of the reviews by people now a days, a lot of them are bad. It's just that a lot of them don't get much further then a band's forum now a days. And either way, my reviews have started to slightly improve, with the biggest issue my taste in music.

3. Past Reviews? Here? So basically liking Atreyu means that you know nothing now a days. Pretty much everyone likes to bring that up. The truth is, a majority of those people were all over Atreyu when they put out 'Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses.' But now it's 'uncool' to like, or admit that you like Atreyu.

4. Last time I checked I rarely submit anything here, so why the hell are you complaining?

5. Next time try to reply to what I actually said and not just try to act like your all that because you're older and having better writing skills (which comes with time).

[Troggy]

4. Yes I have heard every underoath song there is. I love the old stuff and I still think Dallas was an amazing vocalist for them. And yeah, there is more to this album than the vocals, you're right there. It's evident watching some of the DVD the drumming sounds sweet on that.

5. Touche, I know where they came from, that is definitely "metalcore" so if you classify them from that then I can't argue with you.

[mediocrgreenday]

moneen and underoath should not be in the top 10 of the year.. and i loved both those bands last albums... but their latest efforts are weak at best. what happend to the melody of "They're only chasing saftey?"

[Scott Weber]

moneen and underoath should not be in the top 10 of the year.. and i loved both those bands last albums... but their latest efforts are weak at best. what happend to the melody of "They're only chasing saftey?"
They had some balls and made the record they wanted to make? Underoath could have sold out and gone completely pop and blown up, but they don't like playing super melodic stuff, so they made a record that has some melody but also a ton of brutal parts to it.

[crazytoledo]

Underoath's 'Define the Great Line' is not a top 10 worthy album.

On the other hand, the Moneen CD is. It's so good and I feel stupid for taking so long to check it out.

[Scott Weber]

Underoath's 'Define the Great Line' is not a top 10 worthy album.

On the other hand, the Moneen CD is. It's so good and I feel stupid for taking so long to check it out.
and what else is a top 10 CD? Roses are Red? Atreyu?

*rolls eyes*

[crazytoledo]

Let's see. Between the Buried and Me cover disc. Albums by Silent Civilian, Rise Against, All that Remains, Thursday, Protest the Hero, and Nights Like These.

[DeadCityScars]

I bought this just because of the hype and liking a few songs of theirs in the past. At first I only liked 1 song. Then it started to grow on me. I don't like the whole record, I probably only like 5 of the 11 songs. The rest are sort of generic and if you listen to the album on a whole, everything sounds generic.

This won't be talked about 'for years to come', even by the person who gave it such a glowing review.

good songs: In Regards*, Casting Such A, To Whom, You're Ever, Writing (kinda)

[TBSguitar]

yeah i've fallen into buying this cd because of the hype, and i'm stupid for doing it, considering i threw tocs out the car window and this one is worth. i mean the first three or four songs so much similar, you can't even tell a new song started. it's kind of cool that the sceams have gotten lower, but this isnt catchy at all and isnt metal at all to be good. and another thing that i didnt notice, unless i wasnt paying attention because it's not very good, but there's not synth or anything like that, just some drum beats, big disappointment. so i'm either gonna sell it somebody or return it for something else.

[The Apollo Kid]

and what else is a top 10 CD? Roses are Red? Atreyu?

*rolls eyes*

ARRGGHHH! christ can we all grow up a lil :huh:

[underthetalking]

Eh, this album kind of bored me. It feels like they just wrote their other albums again and didn't shoot for anything beyond that.

[farfromsafe]

Finally got it today~!

But really disappointed :(

I like it a lot but I think i got too excited from everyone here on the interweb, and expected too much, or maybe just something different then what I hear.

I personally like them better on TOCS. My friend played me their older album before TOCS came out and I just wrote underoath off as another generic group that I could hear anywhere. Then when TOCS came out I was turned into a fan.

The band may like playing this style of sound better, but I think they actually pull off the TOCS style sound better. I liked almost all the songs on TOCS, with DTGL I find myself skipping around to certain ones I like.

Its an album I really like, but not was expecting, or rather, wanted to hear from them.

[halfamile]

I've listened to this once and so far I find it overwhelmingly uninteresting...but then again, I eventually warmed up to TOCS...and, then again, I am in a Minus The Bear stage these days

[hailthewarrior]

Instead of metalcore or screamo or hardcore...why not just classify them as "Underoath" (or Underoathcore if you're picky like that). Because, they do do different styles of the "harder" side of rock.

But, great review, and I love this album alot. 10/10

[christophaaa]

i picked this cd up unfinished with things missing and much left to do (as far as mastering goes) when it leaked in april - i never got burnt out on it anytime up until the release date. and since the release date, i still haven't gotten burnt out on it. great cd. good review.

[love_american_style]

i really thought i was going to be dissapointed with this album due to all the hype....but i couldnt have been anymore wrong.

[a speedo model]

i finally picked this up, i'm really liking it so far

[Gilsteryo!]

This album is fucking GREAT!
They did a great job. :appl:
They should go down one of the greatest bands of all time.

[xx-jesse]

really, really good cd

[gcmaniac]

one of the best cds of 06

[Ladron]

one of the best cds of 06

yeah, not only one of the best of 06 but it also might end up being one of my all time favorites. I agree that its an album that will be talked about for years to come.

[oshyjay]

My opinion?
Best CD Ever.




Well, one of them anyways ^_^

[Matthew Tsai]

ok, underoath owns the metalcore/metal/hardcore/screamo/etc. industry hands down. they do it in a way that doesn't get boring.

[Gumbyjag]

One of the best albums of '06. I get this hugely uncomfortable vibe from it all and that's an example of how effective Define The Great Line is.

[i enjoi skating]

im buying it.

[StarryNight10]

great review. one of my favorite albums.

[YoTengoRabbi]

dude. a 96? are you serious?
Album is garbage.

is Beloved seeing any royalties?

[arcars]

i dislike everything about this type of music; the screaming for one is something i could never get into, the over-the-top use of guitar shredding has never appealed to me in the least. these guys however have proven to me with they're only chasing safety and this release that i can't at all write something off with their genre/scene/whatever. i tend to dislike every band that is likened to underoath, except for alexisonfire. over time, these two bands have carved out the only section of hardcore-type music that i own.

[Richard Maxim]

One of the best hardcore/metalcore releases to date
Im so tired of people being scared to give underoath to much credit=/, dudley alone is reason enough to call these people a godsend.
Underoath fucking rules

[liveloud4life]

dude. a 96? are you serious?
Album is garbage.

is Beloved seeing any royalties?

To high? Maybe. Garbage? Most certainly not. This is a great album. You didn't even say why you don't like it, which is typical of anytime someone on AP wants to trash on albums that get good ratings.

[bummm]

Reaally good.

[Piss]

i wish Spencer never joined Underoath

[weworemasks]

i wish Spencer never joined Underoath
spencer is a better and more versatile vocalist than dallas will ever be. dallas leaving was the best thing to happen to underoath. dallas was nearly impossible to decipher at times. he didn't know how to annunciate and sounded like a fucking gremlin 95% of the time.

even he's doing better without underoath. both maylene records were solid.

[Piss]

spencer is a better and more versatile vocalist than dallas will ever be. dallas leaving was the best thing to happen to underoath. dallas was nearly impossible to decipher at times. he didn't know how to annunciate and sounded like a fucking gremlin 95% of the time.

even he's doing better without underoath. both maylene records were solid.
nah nah, i meant when dallas left, i wish Spencer never joined Underoath

[adamiskew]

Greatest album ever created

[NeededYouMost]

I was listening to a Moment Suspended In Time today and that song is the best on the album!

[Dystroxia]

moneen and underoath should not be in the top 10 of the year.. and i loved both those bands last albums... but their latest efforts are weak at best. what happend to the melody of "They're only chasing saftey?"
It's called originality, something this band has, and most don't.

[CoopDawg]

It's been a while since I listened to Define the Great Line but after finding this review, I decided to listen to it again and realize how much I love this album.