Underoath

Underoath is an American band from Ocala, United States, active since 1997. The group is also associated with Tampa, Florida, where some later members are based. It is known for a mix of christian hardcore, christian metal, deathcore, melodic metalcore, metal, metalcore, post-hardcore, screamo and hardcore.

Line-up and early years

The band forms in 1997 and is associated with a changing membership over time. Names linked to the group include Luke Morton, Dallas Taylor, Aaron Gillespie, Corey Steger, Octavio Fernandez, Matt Clark, Chris Dudley, Billy Nottke, Timothy McTague, Grant Brandell, Spencer Chamberlain, James Smith and Daniel Davison.

In its early period, Underoath fronts with Dallas Taylor on vocals and plays a heavier style than its later work, drawing on death metal and black metal. That phase includes the albums Act of Depression, Cries of the Past and The Changing of Times.

Commercial breakthrough

After Taylor leaves, Spencer Chamberlain becomes the lead vocalist. The band then releases They're Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line. They're Only Chasing Safety brings a marked shift toward clean vocals and more straightforward rhythms, with fewer breakdowns and less use of double-bass. Define the Great Line turns back toward heavier material while still using clean vocals, detuned guitars and guitar work influenced by Botch.

These releases become the group's best-known records, with They're Only Chasing Safety reaching gold certification and Define the Great Line becoming the highest-charting Christian album on the Billboard 200 since 1997.

Later releases, split and return

Underoath releases the live album Survive, Kaleidoscope. It then records Lost in the Sound of Separation, which reaches number 8 on the Billboard 200. Aaron Gillespie leaves in 2010, saying there are no hard feelings and that he continues with The Almost. The band records its seventh album with drummer Daniel Davison, formerly of Norma Jean, and releases Ø (Disambiguation).

In 2012, the group announces that it will disband the following year and issues the career-spanning compilation Anthology: 1999–2013. It plays a farewell run of nine dates that ends in St. Petersburg, Florida. Later, the band begins work on a documentary about that farewell tour. After a period of social-media teasers suggesting a return, Underoath confirms a reunion and headlines Self Help Fest in San Bernardino, California.

Style and identity

Across its career, Underoath moves from a heavier death- and black-metal-influenced sound toward more melodic and commercially visible metalcore and post-hardcore styles, while still retaining heavy and clean-vocal contrasts. The group is also associated with christian music and with the label 814 Stops Today.