In the early aughts, there was one metalcore band to rule them all – and for me, that was Underøath. At a time when many bands were simply experimenting with a hardcore sound, Underøath was busy marauding the music scene with aggressive aplomb.
Erase MeIn their newest release, Erase Me, longtime fans will immediately notice the de-emphasis on complicated guitar riffs and instrumentation. However, in the 8 years since their last album release (Ø (Disambiguation)), Erase Me is by far a more introspective sound and lyrics all fans will enjoy, both new and old.
The first track, “It Has To Start Somewhere” has a tortured quality that indicates the depth of past substance abuse and existential crises the band has experienced since their last release in 2010. With lyrics such as “…How did we end up like this/I’ve lost myself/Please God give me a chance” and a relentless tempo, the anguish is apparent.
Tumbling further into the dark rabbit hole is the second track, “Rapture”, while “On My Teeth” is full of anger. There’s a resistance brewing in the third track – the song is full of rebellion and hurt and disillusionment that demands to be acknowledged.
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The album moves into a more plaintive and introspective tone (though let’s not forget – they’re still rocking it out), but once the listener moves into the last track, “I Gave Up”, less major and more minor chords are apparent to give an almost ominous quality. It’s almost like a cliff-hanger ending to a movie – there’s definite a sense of yearning, and as though the story isn’t close to being over. “I Gave Up” is an exquisite ending to an amazing album.
Tracklist
1 It Has To Start Somewhere
2 Rapture
3 On My Teeth
4 Wake Me
5 Bloodlust
6 Sink With You
7 ihateit
8 Hold Your Breath
9 No Frame
10 In Motion
11 I Gave Up
(Bonus Tracks)
12 Loneliness
13 Another Life
