Underoath
By All Music Guide
By All Music Guide
In 2002, Takehold licensed all of its bands and releases to Seattles Tooth & Nail/Solid State label. Underoath hit the studio and recorded the ten songs that would comprise their first album under the new partnership, appropriately titled The Changing of Times. Taylor abruptly left the group in the middle of 2003s Warped Tour, leaving distressed fans contemplating the bands uncertain future. Underoath -- which also included bassist Grant Brandell and guitarist James Smith -- continued on, however, enlisting ex-This Runs Through member Spencer Chamberlain as their new vocalist.
A year later, the new lineup released Theyre Only Chasing Safety and supported it on the road with bands like Thrice, the Bled, Hopesfall, and Fear Before the March of Flames. A special edition of the album was next released in fall 2005 that included four bonus tracks; touring continued with a spring 2006 headlining tour alongside Poison the Well, As Cities Burn, and others. Deciding to stick with Tooth & Nail instead of jumping to a major label, the sextet showcased substantial growth and maturity on their next effort, Define the Great Line, issued in June 2006.
A heavier, more emotional album than the breakout success of 2004s Chasing Safety, the record sold close to 100,000 copies in just its first week of release and was certified gold by the years end. Embraced by fans and critics alike -- considered the bands masterpiece by many -- the group supported it on Warpeds main stage that summer. But with a month of dates remaining, tensions within Underoaths ranks suddenly came to a head, causing them to drop off the traveling festival. Rumors swirled of their impending breakup, but the guys remained adament that a much needed break was merely due to sort things out.
