Underoath lost in the sound of seperation
Track 1, 'Breathing In A New Mentality' sets the scene for which Underoath release their latest opus. Mixing the angular metalcore with their more melodic side, Underoath push themselves to find that they can create some truly captivating melodic metal. I am not sure who arrived at this sound first, but being a big Norma Jean fan, I recognize the massive similarities. Both being Christian is one but any of these tracks could of been off Norma Jean's 'O’ God The Aftermath' or 'Redeemer'. Usually I would put down a band for being so similar, but as I do not know who was first with this melodic angular metalcore sound, I will not hold it against them. Besides, this is some damn good music.
'Breathing Is A New Mentality' enters with a whole load of holler and then the shit really hits the fan as the volume increases. Singer Spencer Chamberlain brings a new meaning to the word urgency. Then it breaks down into a whole load of bass and drums fuzz before hitting the pit-inducing riff. Underoath send you on a rollercoaster ride but it finishes abruptly leaving you wanting more. 'Anyone Can Dig A Hole...' continues on a similar sonic journey, but brings more discordant guitar noise to the mix before it drops into a more “emotional” affair as harsh tones cross with crisp vocal melodies. 'A Fault Line, A Fault Of Mine' strongly reminds me of He Is Legend minus the crazy lyrics. It sways it; it swaggers producing an irrepressible urge to make you dance like a fool! Tough and emotional is a hard act to pull of but Underoath seems to manage, without a problem. 'Emergency Broadcast, The End Is Near' enters with an eerie sound before the drums, bass and vocals are introduced, giving an apocalyptic feeling. All is lost however when it drops into a calm emotional state. Nevertheless, the song flows nicely, like a river of discontent. 'The Only Survivor Was Miraculously Unharmed' is a hot poker of pure metalcore fury, directed at your a-hole; it’s abrupt, brash and damn right in your face. If you imagine being in the pit for this song, you would be extremely grateful for their more experimental side, you feel it building into a massive tidal wave, but it never brakes, it abruptly ends. 'We Are The Involuntary' is a strong reminder of how much they sound like Norma Jean. Overall, the song rumbles along at a nice pace and introduces a lot of nasty feedback to a song that is otherwise their most calm. 'The Created Void' fall’s into the same territory as 'We Are The Involuntary' which make me think that all their best tracks were on the first part of the album. 'Coming Down Is Calming Down' has a more traditional hardcore intro before becoming more of a screamo/ metalcore standard, but I was then surprised by the electro drum sound alongside the He Is Legend styled singing. 'Desperate Times, Desperate Measures' picks the pace up again before 'To Bright To See; To Loud To Hear' follows as the most “emo” song on the album, for lack of a better word. 'Desolate Earth The End Is Near' closes with electro sounds and beats which is almost trance inducing, which is an interesting way to top this album off.
Overall, this may not be the most original release but if you like bands like Norma Jean, He Is Legend, Everytime I die and haven’t listen to Underoath yet, then I seriously recommend picking up a copy of 'Lost In The Sound Of Separation'.