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Underoath

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Underoath
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1997 in Ocala, Florida, United States
FounderDallas Taylor, Luke Morton
Headquarters
Tampa
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Aaron Gillespie (drummer), Christopher Dudley (keyboardist), Timothy McTague (lead guitarist), Grant Brandell (bassist), Spencer Chamberlain (lead singer)
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

Underoath (often stylized as Underøath or UnderOath) is a rock ensemble originating from Tampa, Florida, United States. Established in 1997 by vocalist Dallas Taylor and guitarist Luke Morton in Ocala, Florida, the band later incorporated members from Tampa,[1][2][3] including drummer and sole remaining founding member Aaron Gillespie. The current roster comprises Gillespie, keyboardist Christopher Dudley, lead guitarist Timothy McTague, bassist Grant Brandell, and lead singer Spencer Chamberlain. Initially recognized as a Christian group, they have since distanced themselves from this classification.

The band's lineup experienced numerous modifications during its early years. Taylor performed on Act of Depression, Cries of the Past, and The Changing of Times before his departure in 2003; subsequently, Chamberlain assumed lead vocal duties, providing stability to the ensemble. They released They're Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line, both earning RIAA gold status and achieving mainstream recognition; the latter reached number two on the Billboard 200. Their sixth studio effort, Lost in the Sound of Separation, also secured a position within the Billboard top ten. Afterward, Gillespie exited and was succeeded by former Norma Jean drummer Daniel Davison. The seventh album, Ø (Disambiguation), was unveiled in 2010, showcasing increased vocal contributions from Chamberlain and McTague.

On October 2, 2012, Underoath declared their disbandment, culminating in a farewell performance in January 2013.[4] They reunited on August 17, 2015, with Gillespie rejoining. Following an appearance at A Day to Remember's Self Help Fest in 2016, they announced their eighth studio album, Erase Me, released in 2018—marking their first record in eight years and Gillespie’s return after a decade—signifying a shift away from their Christian origins. The ninth album, Voyeurist, was released in January 2022, followed by their tenth release, The Place After This One, scheduled for March 2025.

Formation and Act of Depression (1997–2000)

Underoath was formed on November 30, 1997, by Dallas Taylor alongside guitarist Luke Morton in Ocala, Florida. The band's name was inspired by a biblical reference selected by Morton. Drummer Aaron Gillespie joined after being discovered during church services; guitarist Corey Steger and bassist Octavio Fernandez completed the lineup—all members were high school students at the time.

After spending a year performing locally, Underoath secured a contract with Takehold Records based in Alabama in 1999. Prior to any official recordings, Morton departed from the group. Their debut album Act of Depression was released that July and sold over 2,000 copies.

Cries of the Past and The Changing of Times (2000–2003)

In 2000, keyboardist Christopher Dudley became part of the band. Their five-track release Cries of the Past sold approximately 3,000 units. Corey Steger exited in 2001; he tragically passed away in a car accident in 2021. Following Takehold Records’ acquisition by Seattle-based Tooth & Nail Records, Underoath signed with its subsidiary Solid State Records. Bassist Grant Brandell joined the group in January 2002.

Their Solid State debut album, The Changing of Times, produced by James Paul Wisner, came out on February 26, 2002. It featured the single "When the Sun Sleeps" and explored themes of emotional turmoil and spiritual seeking amid adversity.

In 2003, Underoath participated in Warped Tour but withdrew after Taylor left under contentious circumstances. During August that year, they toured with Atreyu using Matt Tarpey as a temporary vocalist. In October at CMJ Fest, Spencer Chamberlain made his debut as lead singer; his prior friendship with Dudley eased his integration into the band. Chamberlain’s arrival significantly enhanced group cohesion. Although there was consideration given to changing their name, they ultimately retained Underoath as their moniker.

They're Only Chasing Safety (2004–2005)

Following a hiatus from touring in late 2003, Underoath commenced recording sessions in February 2004 with Spencer Chamberlain as the new lead singer and producer James Paul Wisner. Released on June 15, 2004, They're Only Chasing Safety became the band's commercial breakthrough, surpassing the sales of their prior three albums combined. The album sold close to 100,000 units during its initial week and achieved gold certification by the end of 2005, ultimately reaching over 487,000 copies sold. With Aaron Gillespie remaining as the only original member, this release marked a notable evolution in their musical style. Tracks such as "Reinventing Your Exit" and "It's Dangerous Business Walking out Your Front Door" received considerable rotation on MTV2 and Fuse.

In March 2005, Underoath participated in the first-ever Taste of Chaos tour and embarked on their inaugural headlining tour, where they introduced two new songs. They took part in the Warped Tour for a portion of the season but exited early to concentrate on their upcoming album's production. The band was featured on the covers of CCM Magazine in July and Alternative Press in September. In October, a deluxe two-disc edition of They're Only Chasing Safety was released, including four previously unreleased tracks, remastered artwork by Jacob Bannon of Converge, and a DVD containing over two hours of tour footage. By 2005, combined sales of both versions had exceeded half a million copies within the United States.

Define the Great Line (2006–2007)

Their fifth studio album, Define the Great Line, delves into themes centered around discovering one's individual path.[1] Songwriting began merely two weeks after the release of They're Only Chasing Safety.[5] The production team featured Matt Goldman—recognized for his work with Copeland and Norma Jean—and Adam Dutkiewicz from Killswitch Engage.[3] Vocals by Spencer Chamberlain reflected influences from his previous band rather than emulating former vocalist Taylor, with lyrics inspired by his own life experiences.[6]

An incomplete version leaked onto peer-to-peer networks months prior to the official launch. Meanwhile, drummer Aaron Gillespie was also recording The Almost’s debut album with producer Aaron Sprinkle; it was released on April 3, 2007.[7] In April 2006, Underoath renewed their contract with Tooth & Nail Records after declining offers from major labels due to differing perspectives on heavy music and business ethics.[5] The band traveled to Sweden to shoot videos for "In Regards to Myself" and lead single "Writing on the Walls," which later received a Grammy nomination in 2007 for Best Short Form Music Video.[8] They described these productions as their most complex videos to date.[5]

Released on June 20, 2006, Define the Great Line debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 98,000 copies in its first week—marking the highest chart entry for a Christian album since 1997.[9][10] A special edition came with exclusive artwork and a DVD featuring behind-the-scenes footage. The album earned Gold certification from the RIAA on November 11, 2006, signifying shipments of half a million units.[11] Additionally, a limited vinyl pressing of 3,000 copies was issued.[12]

Underoath intended to appear on Warped Tour’s main stage during June and July 2006 but withdrew on July 28 to address internal dynamics.[13] Rumors circulated regarding conflicts over religious beliefs and concerns about Chamberlain’s health; however, these were publicly refuted by the band.[14][15][16] The group toured extensively across Europe, Australia, Asia towards late 2006, followed by North American tours alongside Taking Back Sunday and Armor for Sleep from February through April 2007.[17]

In February 2007, they filmed videos for "You're Ever So Inviting" and "A Moment Suspended in Time";[18] "You're Ever So Inviting" won MTV’s Battle of the Videos in May that year. The band then embarked on a Canadian tour and took part in both the Taste of Chaos World Tour and Cornerstone Festival.[19] On July 17, they released the 777 DVD across the US.[20] They rejoined Warped Tour from July through August before touring Australia and East Asia. During a tour featuring Maylene and the Sons of Disaster among others, Gillespie required emergency surgery on his hand; drummer Kenny Bozich from The Almost stepped in to complete shows without cancellations.[21]

Lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain appeared on the cover art of the Warped Tour 2008 Tour Compilation album.

Lost in the Sound of Separation (2008–2009)

In September 2007, Chamberlain revealed plans for a new album scheduled for mid-2008 release, which was later officially set for September 2, 2008. Recording sessions occurred between March and April 2008. McTague characterized Lost in the Sound of Separation as having a heavier sound compared to Define the Great Line.

October 2007 marked the beginning of filming for Underoath’s third-person documentary, Survive, Kaleidoscope, captured in high definition during their September tour and the "We Believe in Dino-Tours". The live CD/DVD was launched on May 27, 2008, entering the Billboard 200 chart at number 81. The concert footage was filmed at Philadelphia’s Electric Factory.

During mid-2008, Underoath participated in the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour, a 30-city event featuring Slipknot, Disturbed, Mastodon, and DragonForce. This tour ran from July 9 to August 19, with Underoath headlining at Buffalo’s Hot Topic venue. After releasing the album, they embarked on a headlining tour with Saosin and The Devil Wears Prada, supported by P.O.S, Person L, and The Famine at selected shows.

Lost in the Sound of Separation debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, selling roughly 56,000 copies during its initial week in the United States. In December 2008, Underoath earned the Best Hardcore/Screamo Artist award at the Rock on Request Awards and conducted their first South American tour, performing six shows across Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. They also took part in Warped Tour 2009. While touring internationally in 2009, the band began composing material for their subsequent studio album; singles such as "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures" and "Too Bright to See, Too Loud to Hear" were released.

Aaron Gillespie's Exit and Ø (Disambiguation) Era (2010–2011)

In late 2009, guitarist Timothy McTague disclosed that new songs were being written with plans to enter the studio by late summer or early fall of 2010. Underoath intended to release their live album Live at Koko exclusively within the UK market. By February 2010, work on their new album was nearing completion.

On April 5, 2010, founding drummer and vocalist Aaron Gillespie announced his departure from the band; his final performance took place on April 6 in Milan, Italy. Following this change, Underoath enlisted former Norma Jean drummer Daniel Davison to record their forthcoming album.

The band commenced studio sessions on May 24, 2010, collaborating with producers Matt Goldman and Jeremy SH Griffith to craft a successor to Lost in the Sound of Separation. Davison’s debut tour with Underoath was "The Cool Tour", where they performed alongside As I Lay Dying and Blessthefall. Their new album, Ø (Disambiguation), was officially announced for release on November 9, 2010 through Tooth & Nail Records. On September 9 of that year, Underoath signed with Roadrunner Records to manage global distribution outside North America.

A listening event for Ø (Disambiguation) occurred on September 14, 2010 at Swinghouse Studios in Los Angeles. Critical reception highlighted the album’s darker and more turbulent atmosphere while noting moments of tranquility within its composition.

In November 2010, Underoath launched a headlining tour; however, on November 23 vocalist Spencer Chamberlain was sidelined by food poisoning and temporarily replaced by Tyler Smith from The Word Alive for that evening’s performance.

On October 18, 2011, Underoath released Play Your Old Stuff, a compilation featuring three earlier albums—The Changing of Times, They're Only Chasing Safety, and Define the Great Line—each presented with refreshed artwork.

Anthology, dissolution, and final tour (2012–2013)

On October 2, 2012, the group revealed through Twitter that they planned to part ways in 2013. Alongside this announcement, they issued a comprehensive compilation album, Anthology: 1999–2013, which was released on November 6, 2012.

A week later, on October 9, 2012, the band confirmed their farewell tour, featuring support from mewithoutYou, As Cities Burn, and letlive..

Underoath’s concluding performance took place on January 26, 2013, at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, Florida. During this show, Aaron Gillespie joined the band for the tracks Emergency Broadcast :: The End is Near and Reinventing Your Exit.

Activities after breakup, reunion announcement, and touring (2015–2017)

In January 2015, Underoath initiated a funding effort to finalize "Tired Violence," a documentary chronicling their farewell tour consisting of 12 dates, sharing preview trailers on YouTube.

By July of the same year, the band hinted at a comeback with the phrase "rebirth is coming" accompanied by a mysterious video on social media platforms. When played backward, the audio revealed the chorus of "It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door" from their 2004 release They're Only Chasing Safety, along with a countdown culminating on August 24, 2015.

On August 17, 2015, Underoath announced their first live appearance since breaking up: headlining Self Help Fest in San Bernardino, California scheduled for March 19, 2016, sharing the bill with A Day to Remember. An interview confirmed both the reunion and Aaron Gillespie’s rejoining the band lineup.

Erase Me, Voyeurist, and The Place After This One (2018–present)

The album Erase Me was released through Fearless Records on April 6, 2018. Prior to this, "Rapture," the second single from the album, debuted on March 19. To promote the release, Underoath embarked on the No Fix tour alongside Dance Gavin Dance in late April of that year. The lead single "On My Teeth" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance, ultimately losing to "Electric Messiah" by High on Fire.

In mid-2019, Underoath supported Korn and Alice in Chains during their North American tour. On July 14, 2021, they unveiled "Damn Excuses," the lead single from their ninth studio album Voyeurist. This marked their longest interval between releases without disbanding. The album's launch was postponed from October 2021 to January 2022 due to delays in vinyl manufacturing. Subsequent singles included "Hallelujah" (released August 4) and "Pneumonia" (September 22), with the latter partially inspired by guitarist Tim McTague’s father’s death. The full album Voyeurist was officially released on January 14, 2022. On March 28, 2023, longtime guitarist James Smith exited after two decades with the band due to unresolved disagreements.

In 2024, Underoath collaborated on tracks with Bring Me The Horizon ("A Bullet w/ My Name On"), Mitchell Tenpenny ("Demon or Ghost"), and Des Rocs ("In The Night"). Additionally, they released three singles: "Teeth" in September, "Survivors Guilt" in October, and "Generation No Surrender" in December. That same month saw original vocalist Dallas Taylor join them live onstage in St. Petersburg, Florida. These singles are part of their tenth studio album titled The Place After This One, which was released on March 28, 2025.

Christianity

In their early phase, Underoath's members identified themselves as Christians and considered the band to be part of the Christian music scene. Nevertheless, vocalist Spencer Chamberlain clarified in 2006 that although Christianity forms "the foundation of our lives," it does not dominate their lyrical content, which tends to address everyday personal challenges rather than overt biblical teachings. Keyboardist Christopher Dudley pointed out that a majority of their fanbase and touring companions do not share Christian beliefs. While Underoath broke ground within Christian rock circles, only a portion of their albums were promoted under that category. Chamberlain regarded Underoath more as a secular group with unique convictions rather than exclusively a Christian band. Drummer Aaron Gillespie upheld his own faith but opposed the strict classification of Underoath as merely a "Christian band."

In recent years, the band has moved away from both Christianity and organized religion. Their 2018 return single "On My Teeth" signified this transition by including profanity for the first time and exploring themes such as refuge, anxiety, betrayal, and struggles linked to faith systems. Chamberlain described his tenure in a Christian band as burdensome and harmful, leading to addiction and social isolation, emphasizing that while religion may serve others well, it had detrimental effects on him personally.

Genre

Underoath has been associated with genres like metalcore, post-hardcore, emo, screamo, and Christian metal. Their musical approach has undergone significant transformation, merging heartfelt melodies, energetic punk beats, and a versatile rock sound. Jesus Freak Hideout observed the band's journey from metal roots through emocore to hardcore styles.

Their debut album Act of Depression fused elements of hardcore, metalcore, and death metal. The follow-up record, Cries of the Past, incorporated aspects of black metal before transitioning toward a more melodic post-hardcore direction. With The Changing of Times, they experimented with electronic sounds alongside melodic singing, an evolution praised by Alternative Press and Cross Rhythms for its mix of hardcore intensity and indie rock harmonies.

A significant lineup shift occurred prior to They're Only Chasing Safety, bringing Spencer Chamberlain on board as lead vocalist and steering the band's sound away from metal toward screamo and alternative rock influences. This change sparked discussions among fans about the band's new musical path. Critics described the album as nu metal with sophisticated production values.

On Define the Great Line, Underoath moved away from catchy pop choruses in favor of a heavier, more eclectic approach featuring unconventional time signatures and ambient post-metal textures. The record successfully blended metalcore with emo-punk elements and received praise for its diversity and rich sonic layers.

Lost in the Sound of Separation further established Chamberlain’s role as frontman while incorporating industrial music components. After original member Aaron Gillespie left, Ø (Disambiguation) introduced a darker atmosphere with groove metal influences. Their comeback release, Erase Me, showcased stronger alternative rock tendencies.

Influences

Underoath draws inspiration from bands such as Poison the Well, Hopesfall, Dillinger Escape Plan, Glassjaw, Botch, Refused, At the Drive-In, Jimmy Eat World, Radiohead, and Isis. Guitarist Timothy McTague identified At the Drive-In as a significant source of influence. Following the exit of Dallas Taylor after The Changing of Times, the band's sound underwent a transformation with the arrival of new vocalist Spencer Chamberlain. Starting with They're Only Chasing Safety, lyric composition responsibilities shifted to Chamberlain and drummer/vocalist Aaron Gillespie. On Define the Great Line, Chamberlain's vocal style matured to reflect his earlier work with This Runs Through rather than mimicking Taylor, with Alternative Press describing his voice as possessing a "carnal and guttural" quality paired with a melodic upper range.

Band members

Current

  • Aaron Gillespie – drums and clean vocals (1997–2010, 2015–present)
  • Christopher Dudley – keyboards, synthesizers, samplers, programming (2000–2013, 2015–present)
  • Timothy McTague – guitars and backing vocals (2001–2013, 2015–present)
  • Grant Brandell – bass guitar (2002–2013, 2015–present)
  • Spencer Chamberlain – lead vocalist (2003–2013, 2015–present)

Discography

Studio albums

External links

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