Define the Great Line

Underoath | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 20, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Solid State Records
• ASIN: B000FMGWDC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,563 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #92 in Music > Christian > Hard Rock & Metal

Editorial Reviews

Crafted with the help of Atlanta-based producer/drummer Matt Goldman - who helped pour the rhythmic foundation - and Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz - who lent his experience to help capture the guitars and vocals and encouraged these Warped Tour veterans to use E-bows, reel bows and experiment with delays and effects pedals - the resulting Define The Great Line is a mind-blowing song-cycle that resets the notion of what hardcore, screamo or whatever you want to call it, can be.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thankfully, these guys still know how to make a good record. March 5, 2007

By Adam P. Newton

Format:Audio CD

Here's this - I know that I shouldn't even be listening to this group, since I'm about 7 to 10 years too old and about 75 pounds over the necessary weight required to wear the appropriate uniform that most (if not all) hardcore kids have been wearing for the past couple of years. (It's been a decade since I could fit into 32-waist jeans and a size Medium t-shirt.) Coupled with that sad admission is the one that, whenever I even think about going to any kind of local rock show in my area (whether in Houston itself or in the general north of the city), I have to remind myself how old & out-of-place I'll look amongst all the kids in the crowd. Yes, I do realize that 15- to 18-year-olds really aren't kids, but when you're a decade or more older than a vast majority of the crowd going to see a hardcore show, you feel quite creepy standing next to kids who weigh half of what you do. I guess I should learn to be content with attending indie rock & folk shows - my age & my ears are getting to me.

And, on an even more level than personal style issues and the inability to earn points as a good scenester, I start listening to Underoath's new album, Define the Great Line, and began to fear that I've become "that guy." Any music aficionado of any real substance knows exactly the guy I'm talking about (Rob, Dick, & Barry make merciless fun of one of these guys in High Fidelity, both book & movie versions). He's the older and intelligent, yet subtly mocked, geezer who constantly says things like, "Oh, I used to listen to them back when they were [insert band's previous style here]," or "Oh, I like their old stuff better...." This is the guy who can quote track lists, contributors, and influences for great records across many styles, but his pool of information is dated by about 5 to 10 years, at a minimum. You enjoy talking to him, since he's always enthusiastic and knowledgeable about music, but it can be almost sad to talk to him because he's stuck in the past that he's created for himself. His ears simply reached the point where they couldn't absorb anything new, whether new in style or interpretation of an old style.

Nonetheless, I say all of that to say this - I was first exposed to Underoath's music with their Cries of the Past EP that came out 6 years ago, full of many nods and bows to black/European metal. However, I cringed a bit when The Changing of Times was released in 2002, revealing that the band had left the gates of metal and entered the quickly-expanding subdivision that was becoming "screamo/hardcore." However, after growing to like the new direction the band undertook with TCoT, I was definitely not a fan of the clean & slickly-produced "pop-core" of 2004's They're Only Chasing Safety. I stood adamantly upon this opinion, even though it began to appear that legions of fans everywhere were collecting themselves around the house that is Underoath. And the band itself didn't make my distaste with their current work any easier, for after two years of constant touring and three straight appearances as a main-stage act on the Vans Warped Tour, the guys of Underoath have certainly secured themselves a spot in the mainstream rock pantheon.

Case in point - with the release of their newest album, Define the Great Line, on June 20th, this Florida-based band sold 98,000 records in the first week, earning them a #2 ranking on the Billboard charts, behind only Nelly Furtado's latest, and pushing the Dixie Chicks down a spot. That, my dear readers, is notoriety and market value of the highest level ("Under Who?" asks the average pop/R&B radio listener). It's one thing to mock the buying habits of the average teen and 18-25 demographic, but it's quite another thing to realize that those buying habits are the ones that have catapulted an overtly Christian rock band into the ears and eyes of hard music listeners around the nation.

Because, you see, this is a screamo/hardcore album that many people should be listening to, and for good reason, as the band seems to have eschewed all of the poppy & melodic tendencies that plagued They're Only Chasing Safety. Suffice to say folks, the talent level present on Define the Great Line is hard to ignore, whether or not you enjoy or even appreciate this subgenre of metal. The passion, intensity, and sense of purpose that literally explodes from this album are to be applauded, examined, and reflected upon by both those people who listen to music and those who actively are making music. I will even go as far as to step up to the plate, superlatives in hand, and declare that this is a career-defining album, in the best way possible - Underoath has happened upon a medium through which they can effectively sing/scream about their struggles, questions, trials, and tribulations without sounding like they're sorry for themselves, whining about their status in life, or pissed off at the world (as twice-baked and over-cooked as that approach is). The lyrics of Spencer Chamberlain & Aaron Gillespie read like the anguished pleadings and prayers of the Major & Minor Prophets of the Old Testament - and I mean that as an extreme compliment.

However, as I sit perusing the phenomenal photography contained within the special edition CD+DVD and examine the subject of the collection in his various stages of devolution and (almost) decomposition, I find myself hoping against hope for a decent lead guitar solo of some sort on more than a few songs. I fully realize that this is a concept album of high distinction and that screamo/hardcore albums often intentionally shun the concept of soloing, but there are times when the dark, brooding chugging could be complemented by a sonorous piece of fretwork (read: NOT a high, soaring 80's solo) connecting the movements in at least the two songs on the album that clock in at over 6 minutes. Do not read too much into my complaint (many metal-heads disdain hardcore as being replete with undisciplined and unstructured guitar players) - I just wish that more technical guitar playing had made its way onto this album.

Ultimately, Define the Great Line is one of the best rock albums of 2006, though the style of rock isn't always agreeable to many people in the demographic to which I belong, much less amongst the people who comprise my regular coterie of readers. Thus, I offer the same suggestion I've offered to the parents of the kids I sold hard music to for 6 years - while listening to the music (at a volume your old ears can tolerate), take out the lyrics, and read along with the men of Underoath. The crushing waves of instrumental fervor notwithstanding, it is the lyrical content lying within these songs ("You're Ever So Inviting" & "Moving For the Sake of Motion" are the album's standout tracks) that makes this album worth several listen-throughs and maybe even a purchase, but only if your old ears are up to the challenge. I'll even let you borrow my copy. Read more ›

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A total turn around...great stuff June 22, 2006

By Jtranquillity VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

only chasing saftey (the previous record) was decent but it was way to screamo and poppy. Here, they go back towards more of their old sound of metal. The vocals have improved greatly, sometimes getting deep throated. THe guitars have a great crunch with some killer riffs. It's just totally sounds like a different band. If you don't like underoath or hated their last cd, then give this one a shot. It's one of the best albums of the year.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Earnesty June 23, 2006

By A. Martin

Format:Audio CD

In the time since the sensational "They're Only Chasing Safety" was released, Underoath have been selling out shows and records like madmen. The cult following the band brings about with their energetic belligerence is anything but unstoppable; and when the band made a surprise move to stay locked into Tooth And Nail Records (despite bigger offerings), it's no surprise Tooth And Nail were stoked.

Leading up to this release, the hype's been building much like the whirling, dark sand in their promo videos. Ominous advertisements, simply displaying a ticking clock, have been plastered all over the Internet--and even in Downtown LA I witnessed several black posters with the `Oath logo plastered on the walls. And, when a plane bearing the news that the album is to be released was spotted at this year's Columbus Warped Tour stop, it's no secret: there's a lot of hype behind this album.

It might be too obvious of me to state, simply, that the hype for this album was anything short of dead-on--and, at moments, I myself was even a bit skeptical about `Define' blowing `Safety' out of the water. When the band's first choice was, oddly, to put "Salmarnir," the torrential interlude, up, my heart dropped with a sense of disappointment.

Now, though, "Define The Great Line," is in my hands, and I've no doubt that this album powerfully redefines Underoath (excuse the pun). Moving beyond the blistering anthemics found on tracks like "Reinventing Your Exit" and "A Boy Brushed Red...," "Define The Great Line" is a screamy, messy, and violent record that's vigorous and exciting.

The only discretion I've had with Underoath's live show is that, as one might expect, singer and drummer Aaron Gillespie's dual duty is a bit difficult to perfectly render.... As if the band knew it was an issue, Gillespie makes a noticeably quick and short appearance on many of the tracks--though songs like the very Safety-esque "Writing On The Walls" deals out the usual scream/sing combo, most of the time singer Spencer Chamberlain is found shrieking and screaming, often putting out what must be his utmost intensity.

Sonically, thanks to the dual production efforts from Matt Goldman (Copeland, Cartel) and Adam Dutkiwicz (guitarist for Killswitch Engage), "Define The Great Line" blurs the production between new and old. It's got plenty of moments that exhibit modern and cutting-edge recording capabilities, filled with drum machines and noisy, loud, radio-ready guitars and vocals. However, it still retains a raw, unpolished sense of noisy, sustaining guitars. In other words, as would be expected, it sounds stunning.

And while most of the people in the mass market might not react too well to this noisy, rocking change of direction in Underoath, one can only expect that their current fanbase will be utterly impressed--instead of taking advantage of their soaring record sales and diehard fan sect, Underoath wrote and made a record that sounds completely the way they wanted it to sound. It might sound cliché in today's terms to say a band's stayed true to their roots--but Underoath did just that, writing noisy, blazing hardcore songs with dark, heavy guitar textures and screaming--and they did it because they wanted to.

I think what I love most about this record is the fact that the band's obvious nature to crossover into two different genres with "They're Only Chasing Safety" is delicately retained--yes, fans of catchy, sing-a-long choruses and hooky choruses will find moments they love on "Define." But, at the same time, fans of heavy, destructive metal and hard rock will love the moments of sheer energy exhibited by the band--and will likely be able to look past the high-pitched wailing of Gillespie.

Perhaps Chamberlain puts it best on "Moving For The Sake Of Motion"--"Brace yourself!!!" "Define The Great Line" isn't for the weary, though by the end you feel like you've been beaten up. I am not even slightly reluctant to say this record will be topping the "Best Of" charts come 2007. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Underoath: Define the Great Line September 25, 2009

By Michael Thomas

Format:Audio CD

The quality of this album exceeds 5 stars. Anyone ranking lower simply doesn't enjoy the album, and perhaps that is the more important thing. In order for you to enjoy this album, you must really love great metal vocals. Spencer Chamberlain belts out the most wicked, brutal, epically spine-tingling growls I have ever heard. The production is bar-none and makes you feel as if Spencer is sitting right by you screaming into your ears. If you are not one that enjoys this, buyer beware. But if you seek such a thing, this album is for you.

Aside from the vocals, the music is incredible! There is nothing that comes close to this quality of music in today's metalcore scene. Nothing about the album is cheesy. It is fresh, original, and utterly superb. The drum-work is mind blowing. The guitar-work is excellent. The songwriting is perhaps as perfect as it gets in music. But, if you are looking for catchy choruses and feel-good sing-alongs then turn away now. Such an Underoath album would be They're Only Chasing Safety (which is also great, but very different). Define the Great Line is darker, meaner, and stronger.

Absolutely, Undeniably, Inextricably Epic.