Underoath - Ø Disambiguation

Hailing from Jacksonville, FL Underoath are back big with their 7th studio effort, Ø Disambiguation.  The follow up to 2008's Lost in the Sound of Separation finds the metalcore group finding more ways to expand on their sound from their previous effort, and have succeeded in making this effort the best album of their career so far.

The disc gets off to a roaring start on "In Division", a powerful and intricate composition that greets you with frontman Spencer Chamberlain's intense, screaming vocals gnawing at you with ferocious intensity among the fast moving guitars and powerful drums. "Catch Myself Catching Myself" starts off with an exquisite drum pattern, courtesy of their brand new drummer Daniel Davison, replacing Aaron Gillespie who left the group earlier this year. The newest member picks up right where Aaron left off with intense drumming patterns complimenting the sea of melodies laid out before you. My favorite song off the disc is the first single, "Illuminator", a melodic and haunting opus that features Spencer's amazing vocal abilities and guitarists Tim McTague and James Smith are equally as impressive with each member's guitar skills getting more and more impressive as their prior albums have shown. "Driftwood" is a mostly synth based tune, whose sound is courtesy of keyboardist Chris Dudley, who adds a level of sophistication and is the technical mastermind of the group. While this not a pure metal tune, it is one of Underoath's trademark sounds and one that has helped them get initially recognized among their now loyal and immense fanbase.

The disc's second half continues to roar with "Who Will Guard the Guardians", a stripped yet intense tune that still retains the aural velocity that the first half displayed, but is still slower in both tempo and nature. We begin to wrap up shop with "Vacant Mouth", a ferocious and unrelenting tune that leaves a pile of carnage in its wake with Spencer's ear splitting vocals and Tim and James's masterful guitar work being the sole parties responsible for this jaw dropping tune. "My Deteriorating Incline" is another formidable tune with Spencer's screaming vocals stinging so loud, you may have to get your hearing checked after hearing it. "In Completion" wraps up the disc with a concocted mixture of all the ear-splitting sounds you've heard so far, all presented to you in one unique package. Underoath is one of the very few bands out there today who get progressively better with each and every album that they make, something that is almost unheard of these days, but these guys make it look easy by realizing ways they can improve each song by making it louder and experimenting with electronic based sounds as well. Despite the departure of Aaron Gillespie, who is my all time favorite drummer and one of my musical heroes, Underoath's resolve has never been stronger.

In retrospect, a spectacular and unheralded effort from Underoath who keep their winning streak alive with an intense and resonating effort that cements Underoath as one of the best metal acts out there today. Highly recommended! BUY NOW!!

                                                                                                                              Album Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. In Division
2. Catch Myself Catching Myself
3. Paper Lung
4. Illuminator
5. Driftwood
6. A Divine Eradication
7. Who Will Guard the Guardians
8. Reversal
9. Vacant Mouth
10. My Deteriorating Incline
11. In Completion