"Act of Depression"
Underoath
Holy heavy metal, Batman! Make way everyone, this is the future of metal to
come. I had heard SO much about this band and I guess I wanted to hear what
all the buzz was about. The CD starts out with a real creepy witch laugh as
Dallas screams about the most shrill and high-pitched death metal screech
I've heard in while. It's really cool because Dallas, the vocalist,
alternates between the high-pitched shrill to a low low growl. Sweet. All
the songs are over 5 minutes long, some even 10 minutes creating a metal
masterpiece. You'd almost never guess that all the guitar work is on ONE
guitarists. This guy knows how to play. These are some of the fastest
fingers I've heard since Mortification (Post-Momentary Affliction). I also
think these guy's major influence might be Mortification with their
prominent bass-line, speedy drums, and one-man guitar tricks that do
everything from classic to thrash. Building intensity fills songs like
"Burden In Your Hands" as Underoath clearly displays their want of truly
making good music. The lyrics are so bold on this album to give the listener
their true passion. "I give up my old ways God my Father. You are the only
one that can give me comfort. You touch my heart in such a way that all I
can do is cry your name. Jesus Christ I love You. My heart aches for your
love" (from "A Love So Pure"). Dallas even sings on that song at the end as
the band chaoticly screams behind his plea. The way this CD ends is so
appropriate because of the passion and energy put into the music and lyrics.
Dallas offers up an invitation to prayer that eventually leads into an
acoustic rendering of "Spirit of the Living God." Simply perfect for what
the band is getting across.
-- Lars
Lars-O-Meter: 8.5 out of 10
Favorite Song: "Burden In Your Hands"
Record Label: Takehold Records