vinylfanatics.com

**Underoath - They're Only Chasing Safety**
★★★★☆

When Spencer Chamberlain stepped up to the microphone in 2004, replacing Dallas Taylor as Underoath's frontman, few could have predicted the seismic shift that was about to rock the post-hardcore world. "They're Only Chasing Safety" didn't just mark a new chapter for the Florida sextet—it rewrote the entire playbook for what Christian metalcore could achieve in the mainstream, becoming a genre-defining masterpiece that still reverberates through venue walls two decades later.

The album emerged from a period of intense upheaval for Underoath. Following the departure of Taylor, whose harsh vocals had defined their earlier, more brutal sound on "The Changing of Times," the band faced a crossroads. Chamberlain's arrival brought a melodic sensibility that would prove transformative, though the transition wasn't without its growing pains. Recording at Zing Studios in Massachusetts, the band crafted something that balanced crushing heaviness with an accessibility that would soon see them sharing stages with everyone from Taking Back Sunday to Killswitch Engage.

Musically, "They're Only Chasing Safety" sits at the perfect intersection of post-hardcore aggression and emo vulnerability. The album's genius lies in its dynamic range—Aaron Gillespie's thunderous drumming and pristine clean vocals create a beautiful counterpoint to Chamberlain's raw screams, while the dual guitar attack of Tim McTague and James Smith weaves intricate melodies through crushing breakdowns. This isn't the paint-by-numbers metalcore that would later flood the Warped Tour circuit; it's a sophisticated beast that knows exactly when to pummel and when to caress.

The opening salvo of "Young and Aspiring" sets the template immediately—Chamberlain's desperate screams giving way to Gillespie's soaring choruses over a rhythmic foundation that's both punishing and groove-laden. But it's "A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White" that truly showcases the album's emotional range, building from whispered confessions to cathartic explosions of sound that feel genuinely cathartic rather than merely heavy for heaviness' sake.

"Reinventing Your Exit" stands as perhaps the album's crown jewel, a perfect encapsulation of everything that made this era of Underoath special. The track's stop-start dynamics, Chamberlain's most vulnerable vocal performance, and a breakdown that still induces circle pits across the globe combine to create something that transcends its genre limitations. Meanwhile, "It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door" proves that the band could craft genuine hooks without sacrificing their edge, its infectious energy making it a setlist staple that continues to ignite crowds.

The album's spiritual themes never feel heavy-handed, instead emerging organically from deeply personal struggles with faith, doubt, and human connection. This authenticity helped "They're Only Chasing Safety" achieve something remarkable—it brought Christian hardcore to the masses without compromising its message or alienating secular audiences. The record would go on to sell over 400,000 copies, a staggering figure for a band operating in such a niche scene.

"They're Only Chasing Safety" proved to be the launching pad for Underoath's most successful period. Its follow-up, "Define the Great Line," would push their experimental tendencies even further, incorporating electronic elements and more complex song structures while maintaining the emotional intensity that made this album so compelling. That 2006 release saw them reach even greater commercial heights, but many fans still consider "Safety" to be their creative peak—the moment when all their influences coalesced into something genuinely special.

The trilogy completed with 2008's "Lost in the Sound of Separation," which found the band exploring darker territories while retaining their knack for massive choruses. Though critically acclaimed, it lacked some of the raw urgency that made "Safety" so immediate and vital.

Today, "They're Only Chasing Safety" stands as a monument to mid-2000s post-hardcore, its influence audible in countless bands who've attempted to replicate its perfect storm of brutality and beauty. After a hiatus and subsequent reunion, Underoath continues to tour on the strength of these songs, with tracks like "Reinventing Your Exit" and "A Boy Brushed Red" still capable of transforming venues into sweaty, cathartic communions. In an era where heavy music often feels calculated an