Underoath

Heavy music needs Underoath. They're one of the few bands to emerge from the metalcore scene of the early '00s with their own identity, image and ideology. The scene has become largely faceless. Most heavy bands rip off either Killswitch Engage or Hatebreed. Perhaps, the ever prevalent, down-and-dirty coupling of hardcore and metal is a reaction to nu metal's arena bombast and self-indulgence. That's justified to a degree, but it still makes for a lot of repetitive, faceless metallic garbage—just reference past lineups for the New England Metal and Hardcore festival for proof. 21st Century heavy music is just extremely boring.

In 2006, Underoath changed that with the release of Define the Great Line. It's sprawling concept gave MySpace junkies a sonic headtrip of a record in the vein of White Pony. Define is heavy, intelligent and often thought provoking. Its release saw Underoath become bona fide heavy hitters in the scene with massive sales. However, what cemented Underoath's status was their cathartic, primal and often hypnotic live energy.

Their new live CD/DVD Survive, Kaleidoscope chronicles and captures that energy artfully. The DVD features an explosive set from the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, shot on the band's 2007 headlining tour. The jaunt allowed Underoath to have the stage to themselves, with full production. Like any great live band, they make very good use of that giant video screen, for sure. The band sounds pristine on gnashing cuts like "In Regards to Myself" and "To Whom It May Concern." Everything translates in the live arena for Underoath, and they become even more dangerous on stage.

Vocalist Spencer Chamberlain tows the line between Chino Moreno's sensual, vulnerable darkness and Corey Taylor's raw vocal violence. He stalks the stage, and expels far more demons than someone his age should have. The camera follows him closely and helps channel that schizophrenic power on screen. Meanwhile, the DVD's editing quickly shifts from the background video footage to the performance, making for non-stop action. During the show, "It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door" provokes the first big sing-a-long, as guitarists Timothy McTague and James Smith volley riffs back and forth, and drummer Aaron Gillespie drops in his huge vocal harmonies. Like a great prizefighter, Underoath leave everything in the ring, err…stage. Their live set resembles a full contact sport, as sweat drips to the floor, and Spencer's scream reaches Heaven all the way from Hell.

The band plot their set list like a movie, and each song flows into the next. The concepts and thoughts that Underoath explore come to life on the DVD. The CD component is equally as punishing, but there's nothing like watching the band thrash the stage. None of their peers have a live show this vibrant, and that's evident from their lights, videos, presence and aura. Album closer "A Boy Brushed Red, Living In Black and White" is the perfect ending, with its militaristic drum beat and creeping vocals. The DVD doesn't feature crazy, backstage extras, but it doesn't need them, because it maintains the band's mystique. Underoath have that intangible quality that makes band's timeless. It's the ability to draw emotion from a crowd. Survive, Kaleidoscope shows them doing just that.

—Rick Florino
06.09.08