Sydney, AU. (Top40 Charts/ EMI MUSIC Australia) - As the final notes ring out on "Lost in the Sound of Separation", it's clear that
Underoath - who've built their career on being both heavy and experimental - have delivered their most accomplished album. Succinct and resolute, there's no denying the power of this album as the follow-up to 2006's rapturously received Define The Great Line.
Currently headlining the Hot Topic stage of the U.S. Mayhem Tour, Underoath are joining hard music heavyweights Slipknot, Disturbed, Mastodon and Dragonforce, among others.
Underoath's last three albums count combined sales in excess of one million copies and have built what may be the biggest metalcore following in the world. "Lost in the Sound of Separation" is bound to add to that tally.
"Breathing In A New Mentality" launches the new record with an ingenious false start that gives way to innovative ferocity. "We wanted people to hear it and have a first impression like, 'Man they must've cut a lot of corners,'" says guitarist McTague of the disc-opener. "And then it kicks in and your entire car, blows up. We wanted to come out, blow them away. Just shut people up. And in doing that, we've made the beginning of the record very memorable."
By trusting their instincts and meticulously perfecting their songcrafting, it with Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage) and Matt Goldman (Copeland, The Chariot), the band has hit new artistic heights with this new album. "The Created Void" offers a melodic reprieve. "Naturally we are a heavy band and we want to put our best foot forward in that respect," McTague says. "I love 'The Created Void,' one of the most melodic songs we've ever done, the bottom line is everything sounds the way it does on the record because we agreed that's how it should sound, whether it's heavy or melodic." "We've had to work hard at being open-minded about our own art and let it flow naturally", McTague continues. "We love melodies, but our instincts usually go in the other direction."
Defying the band's traditional approach, the uplifting "Too Bright To See, Too Loud To Hear" is a beautiful near ballad lighter destined to become your new unexpected favourite. "I originally wrote the music without intending for it to be a quote-unquote accessible song," McTague says of the memorable soundscape. "It was a slow-paced, slowed-down jam-out song." With such a diverse musical display coupled with the input of six opinionated band-members, the completion of the album thanks in part to the skilled mixing of veteran David Bendeth - is an epic achievement. "We laboriously toiled over this record," Gillepsie admits. "Even when we're in the studio, I don't think we are all ever totally happy. There is constant change and flux until we're done. We always push ourselves to make the best music imaginable."
Beyond exceptional, it's a breathtaking brain-rattling affirmation that the Tampa, Florida-based sextet (lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain, guitarist Tim McTague, bassist Grant Brandell, drummer Aaron Gillespie, keyboardist Chris Dudley and guitarist James Smith) have taken a huge creative step forward. The group recently shot a video for the scathing "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures" with director Walter Robot (Milosh "The City," Modest Mouse "Missed the Boat," The Pinkertones "Sexy Robot") in Los Angeles. We'll hit you back with more news about the clip soon.
To kick-start the new album the band have just posted their first single "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures" on MySpace for fans to stream (www.myspace.com/underoath) which has had over 100,000 plays in 24 hours. Tickets are still available to purchase for the following Australian shows.
Underoath Australian Headline Tour
No Tue, 30 Sept - UNSW Roundhouse - Sydney
No Wed, 1 Oct - Billboard, Melbourne
No Thu, 2 Oct - The Arena, Brisbane
