ROCK BAND 2 ADDS UNDEROATH AND KUTLESS

NEWS SOURCE: PS3.IGN.com, a Jesusfreakhideout.com report
October 22, 2008

One of our readers (Jeff M.) wrote in to us last night to let us in on a news report at PS3.IGN.com announcing that the popular and recently released Rock Band 2 video game will be releasing 20 free downloadable songs on November 4 to those who have purchased Rock Band 2 on PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii. Included in the list of mainstream artists will be "The Feeling" by BEC Recordings' Kutless and "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures" by Tooth & Nail Records' UnderOath. Well... it's a start. Hopefully we'll see more artists like these in future game updates.

Christian Music News Source

Underoath heads out on US tour, prepares for S. American tour

Underoath kicked off a 34-city fall headlining tour yesterday in Lake Buena Vista, FL. The tour continues through November 25th. In December, the band embarks on their first-ever tour of South America, hitting Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Columbia.

Underoath is no stranger to global touring. The band is fresh off an eight country-tour that took them across the U.S., U.K., Mexico, Canada, Italy, Germany, South Africa and Australia in support of their new album, Lost In The Sound of Separation. The band's last three albums had combined sales in excess of one million copies, and after being released in 17 countries, their new project is poised to add to the success.

On the Headbanger's Blog, Underoath guitarist Tim McTague talks about filming the video for the band's latest single, "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures," and you check out the the animated, stop action video.

Christian Music News Source

Underoath Announce US, Latin American Dates

Underoath have returned to the US for a 34-city fall headlining trek which kicked off October 15 in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Their new trek takes the band to 34 cities across the country including stops at New York City’s Terminal 5 (3,000 capacity) on Sunday, October 26 and Irvine, CA’s Bren Events Center (5,000 capacity, just outside Los Angeles) on Saturday, November 15.

After wrapping a hugely successful sold-out shows in eight countries around the globe--US, UK, Mexico, Canada, Italy, Germany, South Africa and Australia--Underoath continue to garner new fans and widespread critical acclaim for their new album Lost In The Sound Of Separation as well as their powerful live performances. In his four-out-of-five star CD review in Kerrang! (national, U.K. music weekly), writer Dan Slessor hailed:

“Whether it’s the convulsive frenzy of ‘Breathing in A New Mentality,’ the steamrolling ‘Emergency Broadcast: The End Is Near’ which shifts effortlessly between sludgy bludgeon and ethereal desperation, or the violent pseudo-anthem ‘Desperate Times, Desperate Measures,’ the record comes across as an exercise in barely controlled--and deeply seductive--chaos. Yet in a further demonstration of their emotive power, the record concludes with back-to-back tracks steeped in tragic solemnity--‘Too Bright To See, To Loud To Hear’ and ‘Desolate Earth: The End Is Here’--and it’s hard to shake off the melancholy hangover that lingers long after the speaks have fallen quiet.“

Underoath--whose last three albums count combined sales in excess of one million copies--recently released their fourth album Lost In The Sound Of Separation on Seattle indie Tooth & Nail/Solid State. The disc marked the top rock debut for the week and entered the Billboard Top 200 Album chart at #8, #1 on the Top Christian albums chart and #5 on the Top Digital albums chart, with over 9,476 digital downloads its first week.

Produced by Underoath--lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain, guitarist Tim McTague, bassist Grant Brandell, drummer Aaron Gillespie, keyboardist Christopher Dudley and guitarist James Smith--Adam Dutkiewicz and Matt Goldman and mixed by veteran David Bendeth Lost In The Sound Of Separation is epic and intimate, brutal and beautiful, catapulting the group far beyond their previous works. Underoath have built one of the biggest metalcore followings in the world, and with Lost In The Sound Of Separation--a diverse musical display coupled with the input of six opinionated souls--the sky’s the limit for Underoath.

Lost In The Sound Of Separation has been released in over 17 countries around the world including: US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and now in South America. In December, the band will embark on their first-ever tour of South America, hitting Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Columbia.

Underoath’s first single “Desperate Times, Desperate Measures” is impacting Modern Rock and Active Rock radio. The video for the song can be seen on MTV and Fuse. Check out the stop animation video--directed by Walter Robot (Modest Mouse “Missed the Boat”).

* Underoath w/Saosin, The Devil Wears Prada, and P.O.S.
* Wed 10/15 Lake Buena Vista, FL House of Blues
* Thu 10/16 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
* Fri 10/17 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
* Sat 10/18 Charlotte, NC Amo’s Southend
* Sun 10/19 Richmond, VA The National
* Tue 10/21 Baltimore, MD Ram’s Head Live!
* Wed 10/22 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
* Thu 10/23 Hartford, CT Webster Theatre
* Fri 10/24 Worcester, MA Palladium
* Sat 10/25 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
* Sun 10/26 New York, NY Terminal 5

* Underoath w/ Saosin, The Devil Wears Prada, and Person L
* Tue 10/28 Rochester, NY West Street Music Hall
* Wed 10/29 Cheswick, PA Gravity
* Thu 10/30 Cincinnati, OH Bogart’s
* Fri 10/31 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre
* Sat 11/1 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
* Sun 11/2 Sauget, IL Pops
* Tue 11/4 Milwaukee, WI The Rave (Eagles Club)
* Wed 11/5 St. Paul, MN The Myth
* Thu 11/6 Kansas City, MO Beaumont Club
* Fri 11/7 Denver, CO The Fillmore Auditorium
* Sat 11/8 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue

* Underoath w/ Saosin, The Devil Wears Prada, and The Famine
* Mon 11/10 Seattle, WA Showbox (at the Market)
* Tue 11/11 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre
* Thu 11/13 San Francisco, CA The Grand Ballroom
* Fri 11/14 Ventura, CA Ventura Theatre
* Sat 11/15 Irvine, CA Bren Events Center (UC Irvine)
* Sun 11/16 San Diego, CA SOMA
* Tue 11/18 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues
* Wed 11/19 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
* Thu 11/20 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theatre
* Fri 11/21 San Antonio, TX Sunset Station
* Sat 11/22 Dallas, TX Palladium Ballroom
* Sun 11/23 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theatre
* Tue 11/25 Tampa, FL The Ritz

* South America
* Sat 12/13 Curitiba, Brazil John Bull Music Hall
* Sun 12/14 Sao Paulo, Brazil Santana Hall
* Tue 12/16 Buenos Aires, Argentina Teatrito
* Wed 12/17 Buenos Aires, Argentina Teatrito
* Thu 12/18 Santiago, Chile Teatro Novedades
* Sat 12/20 Bogota, Columbia Teatro Metro Bogota

* Central America
* Sun 12/21 Panama City, Panama Ciudad de Panamá

Christian Music News Source

Underoath: Metalcore hitmakers 'Lost In The Sound Of Separation'

Tony Cummings reports on the best selling hard music phenomenon that is UNDEROATH

The latest big hit for those Florida practitioners of metalcore mayhem, Underoath, (the band's 'Lost In The Sound Of Separation' entered Billboard's Top 200 album chart at number eight) continues to mystify industry observers who insist that you must have big radio or MTV support to generate the big sales. Recently Christianity Today asked the band's frontman Spencer Chamberlain why he thought Underoath could succeed with little or no airplay or MTV exposure. "A lot of bands rely on what's popular now - with videos and the whole radio push. Since we started as a band years and years ago, I think [we've] built a more honest fan base. We were always hanging out with the people on every tour you'd go to. Back in the day, we used to play a show and then announce from stage that we were going to Denny's to eat after the show, and that the whole audience could join us. It's a lot different for bands that do it that way as opposed to putting out a poppy record that blows up on radio [because it caters to a fad]."

This summer Underoath toured the US with bands like Disturbed and the notorious Slipknot. Christianity Today asked them how they could "reconcile touring with secular bands that don't stand for the same things?" Said Chamberlain, "We do it all the time. Very rarely are we on tour with a Christian band. Everyone on [that] tour is really good friends by now. There's this mindset that unbelievers are close-minded to believers [and vice versa]. But I wouldn't not hang out with you if you were an atheist any more than I would hang out with you if you were a Christian. It wouldn't matter to me. If you're a cool dude, you're a cool dude either way."

Guitarist Tim McTague took up the topic. "Honestly, I love the dudes from Slipknot. They've been nothing but nice to us and respectful. As far as their music goes, whether we like their music or not, does it really come into play? Just because we do music differently than they do, I don't think the way we do things should be forced on them. The fact that I view music and life and faith and beliefs differently than probably anyone on the tour for the most part, that shouldn't put up any roadblocks for me getting into their lives and being friends. That's one thing that we're really conscious about. I think Nickelback's music is the dumbest thing ever - I think they're the worst band ever. But if [Nickelback frontman] Chad Kroeger came in to chat, I wouldn't tell him, 'I can't hang out with you because I think your band sucks.'"

In all their live shows Underoath make a point of name-checking Jesus. Said Chamberlain, "I don't plan what I'm going to say. I make sure I say it in a respectful manner towards people, so they don't take it like I'm coming after them or that I'm smarter or better than them. That's not the case. I just like to share with people. I don't want people to think that because we believe in something that all Christians feel superior, or that we're going to judge you because you don't [share our beliefs]. That's probably the biggest thing I'm trying to prove wrong - the biggest damage of Christianity that I'm trying to repair. I'm like, 'The reason I tell you about this is because it helped me out. I'm going to share that with you because it really did make a big difference in my life. But it doesn't make me any better than anybody else. I'm not perfect and never ever will be. I screw up every day. But it's made my life that much better.' I feel it's more honest. It's not like telling you what to do, but just telling you what I do."

Chamberlain explained where the 'Lost In The Sound Of Separation' album title came from. "It's actually a lyric from a song. The whole story is all pretty much the last two years of my life. It could be interpreted as me trying to separate the things that I should be doing - what God is actually calling me to do - and the things that I actually do. As Christians, we fall all the time and do things that are selfish. We know what we're supposed to do, but can't always hear which voice in our heads is the right one and the wrong one. 'Lost In The Sound Of Separation' is trying to string out and differentiate all the different voices talking at the same time in our heads: the conscience of God, best friends, parents and anyone telling us [what do to and how to live]."

So how would McTague compare the album's style with previous releases? "The heavy parts are way heavier. The melodic parts are way more melodic. The lyrics have a lot of meaning. You can tell from the whole thing that we're still the same band and that we're coming from the same kind of place, but we've also gone in a direction that's harder and farther than anything we've ever done. I hope that's the way that people who listen to [the new album] see it."

The positive Christian message that clearly comes through in Underoath's songs is vitally important to the band. Said McTague, "The rock scene as we know it is kind of self-absorbed in and of itself. There's really no purpose in anything. The purpose of rock 'n' roll is being as careless and reckless as you possibly can. For me, I hope that our songs at least carry some sort of lasting purpose that is universally productive to society - not talking about how this chick is a certain way, or how I want to become a rock star or whatever those dumb bands talk about. It really hurts me and bothers me that bands like that have so much power and influence over the people that listen to them, yet they waste it with stupid, catchy lyrics that any 10-year-old could write. I think it's important to take that seriously and go, 'This is real stuff. You're a real human. I'm a real human. We're not here very long and we have to get somewhere positively, not in a negative way.' I hope that people hear us and see us and feel a sense of substance and purpose. I think that's what's missing in the music of the 21st century, and it's something that we're not willing to let go of."

McTague continued, "The cycle of our last record was probably the hardest of our career, but it was also one of the best. We've had all these great accomplishments and mountains that we never thought we'd see the top of, and then we also had some of the worst. We broke up for a month [after 'Define The Great Line']. The only reason why our band was able to make this new record was by the grace of God and his hand and purpose on us. Literally, we're just as dysfunctional people, if not more so, than anyone else on this planet. And I don't profess just because I'm a Christian to have it all figured out or that I'm better than anyone else. I really think that the day that God pulls his hand off our band that we'll just implode. I'm confident that every day we get up and make it through another day is a day that God intended us to be a band. The day that we break up is the very exact day that I know he's telling us, 'You've served your purpose. I'm done with you guys. Now go do something else.'"

Christian Music News Source

Underoath Redefined

Underoath just revealed that they’re feeling pretty confident at this stage. Oh, really?



Of all the things uncovered in our interview with the GRAMMY-nominated hardcore act, this was hardly earth shattering to hear. After all, the band’s last two studio LPs—They’re Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line (Tooth & Nail)—were certified Gold, the latter landing at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 100. Numerous high profile headlining slots and magazine covers only solidify the fact that Underoath is one of rock music’s brightest bands.



We recently caught up with keyboardist Chris Dudley to tell us the latest on the band’s new album, Lost in the Sound of Separation (Tooth & Nail), and how they handle the achievements of drummer Aaron Gillespie’s side project (The Almost) with the band’s own success.



CCM: You’re in the middle of CD release season, so what’s the feeling for the band right now?



Chris Dudley (Underoath): It’s awesome. Everyone is just really, really excited to get the record out. It’s a weird thing when a record comes out because we hear the songs for so long. I think we probably have a different view on them than others because we’ve heard them in one form or another for two years. For others, they don’t even exist yet, but for us, we know them all front and back. So we are ready to get it out and see what others will think of it for a change. [Laughs]



CCM: You’re coming off a string of such well-received albums. What is the confidence level on this one? Is it much different?



Chris: Back when we recorded Define the Great Line, we had a real confidence level that we had built something that we loved. We didn’t necessarily know if it would do well sales-wise, because it was so heavy. But we knew that we couldn’t have done any better, and we were very confident in that. With this record, I feel exactly the same way. This one is a lot heavier than Define the Great Line, so I don’t know how it will do necessarily. But we have definitely done the best we can do. I have a lot of confidence that if people like it, they will like us. And if they don’t like it, then there’s nothing we could have done better.



CCM: What’s the theme behind Lost in the Sound of Separation?



Chris: The record as a whole has a theme of realizing that you’re not where you need to be in your life, that you have changes that you need to make. It’s figuring out that you don’t have life figured out. For me, it deals with those times in your life that you feel separated and that you’re not where you need to be in that aspect. It’s that kick in the pants moment when you realize you need to stop being an idiot and just do what you need to do.



Christian Music News Source

Ratatat, Underoath release solid albums

Ratatat - LP3

Regaling their audience with another album, Ratatat released LP3 last July. Ratatat found a few different styles and sounds to share with their audiences in LP3.

Somewhat expected from a band that has opened for Daft Punk, Ratatat hit with some upbeat and club sounds in their most recent single, “Shempi.” This sound enticed the listener to venture deeper into the album, sharing sounds different from most club music. However, when the song starts to stray to more ambiguous sounds, the bass line brings the listener back into the song.

Ratatat later moves to a stereotypical Eastern European sound with “Gipsy Threat.” Coming with beats and riffs like Gogol Bordello, it seems all that’s missing are Eugene Hütz Nikolaev vocals.

Whether you are a first -time listener or a returning fan, this fluid dance album would be great for your next walk across campus or just chilling in your room and relaxing.

- Trevor Ruwitch, KWLC Hip Hop DJ

Underoath - Lost in the Sound of Seperation

Fans of metal were caught off guard this month with the release of Underoath’s new album Lost in the Sound of Separation. The Florida-based band has grown from a once pop-punk, screamo band with generic riffs and whiny vocals to a full fledged force of metal to be reckoned with. Hailing Underoath’s new album as their “heaviest” would be an understatement.

The album starts with “Breathing in a New Mentality,” a song beginning with some basic snare hits, hardcore riffs and improvised screaming by singer Spencer Chaimberlain, turning the corner after a few measures into a brutal new sound that knocks listeners to the ground. They don’t quit throughout the album, playing music that would knock your grandma down the stairs.

This album is not only Underoath’s heaviest, it is also their most musically talented. This album shows the band has truly matured as musicians. With a wide range of paces, grooves and breakdowns, this album will make you want to move. With Chaimberlain’s massive growls and screams you’ll get sat back down, and with the soft interlude melodies you will be soothed and ready for the next epic set of songs.

If you’re looking for something more than your generic thrash-and-smash metal album, look no further. Lost in the Sound of Separation will move you, it will groove you and most of all it will give you a kick in the teeth!

- Andy Hoffman, KWLC Loud Rock Music Director

Christian Music News Source

Underoath Show Canada Love

Tampa, Fla. metallers Underoath were in Toronto recently to promote their newly released Lost In The Sound Of Separation, and ChartAttack had the chance to talk to them just after a sound-check prior to an MTV Canada appearance. They were far more freaked out about television than talking to me.

"This will be the first time we've ever played on TV," said bassist Grant Brandell. "It's kind of cool that they're letting us do it, so hopefully it will be good.

"It's a little nerve-racking playing live, but whatever. We do it every day in a way, so it will be fine, I'm sure."

Kids packed the Masonic Temple studio to catch a free performance by the boys, who later played the Phoenix Concert Theatre. Brandell says Canadian fans always give the band a warm reception, which is why they played the Toronto show before heading to Europe.

"We wanted to do some cool CD release shows, and Canada has always been really good to us for shows and people coming out, and we definitely appreciate it. It has just always been cool to do a day-after CD release show here for the Canadian fans, too. It's kind of weird. We've just always had really good shows here. I don't really know why, but I'm not complaining by any means.

"It's just cool to be able to play new songs now, too. Kids have the CD, so they actually know what the lyrics are and the music and stuff, and they get more into it when we play live."

Brandell says it's important for kids to understand the message in the band's music, as their goal was to create a multi-dimensional album that's meant to be enjoyed from front to back.

"Nowadays, some people kind of just listen to a couple of tracks, skim through it and get in and out of it. I think listening to a band's whole album isn't done as much anymore. I think that you take the good and the bad out, you have songs that you love and songs that you don't like as much, but it's all part of the whole thing."

Though the significance of Underoath's message is important to the band, Brandell only has one wish regarding fans and his music:

"I just hope they just enjoy it. I would obviously like them to think that it's our best stuff and that it's good, but I just hope they just enjoy it, get what we're going for and support us."

Christian Music News Source

Spun: Underoath

Underoath fans won't be disappointed with the band's latest addition to their discography, Lost in the Sound of Separation, which offers no shortage of lyrical curiosity and pounding, harmonized instrumental components to match. Despite obvious growth in the band, their newest album feels as though it is a continuation of their 2006 release, Define the Great Line. The all-around hardness of the record continues the direction in which Underoath began to head, but is fittingly accompanied by softer melodies.

The underlying theme to nearly every track on Sound of Separation is desolation and hope. This is seamlessly displayed in "We Are the Involuntary," harking lyrics like "A falling of man / We are all lost in the sound of separation / Hands in the air and love at our sides / There's gotta be something bigger," which bring to light questions for all of humanity (or at least those listening) to consider. Carrying on this theme of hopelessness with a silver lining is the track "Emergency Broadcast: The End is Near," one of the heavier tracks on the album. Vocally, it gives off an eerie, almost ghostly feel in its calls for hope in the form of background chanting and haunting orchestrated melodies.

All in all, Lost In The Sound of Separation is a gleaming example of a band deep in contemplation, stuck in a maze of philosophical and desolate questions, none of which are given an answer. Fortunately, from these questions rose a perfectly balanced album that reflects every bit of contrasting hope/hopelessness in its music. Underoath keeps it raw and compelling, making for an all around pleasing album once again.

Christian Music News Source