Rebirth Is Coming: Fans Make Assumptions About Underoath’s Latest Post

Recently Underoath posted an image sporting these three simple words (found below) on July 31st and fans went up in a frenzy, like sharks swarming a school of fish. Due to the vague contents of the post, fans quickly jumped on the bandwagon of making their own assumptions as to what this could mean for the band’s future. Now, I know I’m late to post this, but I think it is very pertinent that fans stop assuming and making their own interpretations as to what the statement “Rebirth is coming” is supposed to convey. Should we get excited, yes! But, we should wait to hear further news before we jump to conclusions about what this could exactly mean.

Nonetheless assumptions are being made and here are some of the most popular ones that can be found underneath the comment section of the post:

1. Underoath is getting back together. Could this be possible? Yes. We see it time and time again. Bands break up, because after all they are only human. Sometimes they then later decide that they’ve made a mistake. Reunion tours are something that are so common these days that fans almost expect them to happen a few months after a band breaks up. But, after watching Tired | Violence we see just how big of a divide that values and ideals placed between the band. Is there any coming back from that? I’m not sure. But, as I mentioned this is all speculation. Though we want to assume this will happen because Underoath was one of the most revolutionary bands of our generation, I wouldn’t get your hopes up too high.

2. Underoath is going to do one last tour together. As assumptions go ( if I’m getting in on the conspiracy), this is the one I’d bet on. It is highly likely that the band misses touring together. They didn’t leave on bad terms, but they still have a rift that is separating them somewhat. Doing an album together would be a commitment that I’m not sure all the band members are willing to make. Doing a tour however is an idea that I could see them possibly agreeing to.

3. The band will contain some of the old members but new members as well. Maybe, just maybe. Some members wanted a more Christian outlook while others were losing their faith in that direction. This caused yet another rift between the band. Can I see certain members banding together to create a “rebirth” of Underoath? Yes. But, can I see other bands member’s like Spencer or Aaron quitting their new bands to go completely back to Underoath? No. There may be some truth to this assumption but only time can tell.

4. Sleepwave failed and Spencer ran back to Underoath. I know I said let’s not make assumptions, but this is a hard no. Spencer did not fail and Sleepwave sure as hell did not fail. In my opinion, even if they did “fail,” I don’t see it as a failure to do something you love and something that is in line with who you are as a person. I sure hope that Sleepwave doesn’t become a thing of the past, because their music is just as good if not better than Underoath’s. I realize I may get crucified for saying that, but oh well.

There is one thing that all these assumptions and even my inputs have in common: they all contain maybe’s, possibly’s, etc. Nothing is set in stone yet.  The truth of the matter is that all of these assumptions could be right or they could be wrong. We just have a vague promise; a promise to something that we are not sure of yet. And as an Underoath fan, whatever that promise is, however little it may be, just be happy that you get to enjoy them a little bit longer (or maybe a lot longer). We aren’t sure yet, but we can at least be 100% sure that something is coming!

How I Became The Music Listener I Am Today And Why That Will Never Change

From a very young age, I was immersed in music, even before I was born. My mother took me to a Guns and Roses’ concert when she was still pregnant with me. Though I wasn’t physically present, I’m sure I was kicking and causing a riot. As I grew older, at a very young age I learned what rock and heavy metal music was. I specifically remember my dad rocking out on his Fender Stratocaster. His amp would be turned up high and he’d be messing around with random notes. He could listen to a song and then after a few tries he’d have it down; no sheet music or anything. He always had an ear for good music and perhaps that is why I grew up with one too. My mom and my dad grew up with the same taste in music for the most part and they subliminally influenced me in the best way possible. Even as a tot and as I grew up into a young child, we had this large stereo console and it’d for the most part always be playing music. Not the typical oldies that many parents listened to, but music like Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Rush, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, etc. I specifically grew attached to the song “No Rain” by Blind Melon. One day as an adolescent, I started signing along to a song that came on what was probably the radio station Alt 103.3 (the only station in Indiana that plays decent music). I had no idea how I knew the lyrics… My mom looked at me and said, “You don’t remember this song?” I could not come up with an answer and just shook my head. Apparently, I used to jump up and down on the couch and run around singing this song. It was one of my favorites as a young girl. Funny how music has that profound of an effect on you, even as a young child. Over the course of my childhood-teenage years, my music taste grew (as you can see from the timeline below).

All of these albums have transformed the way I view and listen to music. And though they influenced very specific times in my life, they still are influencing me today. I have still never grown out of that little energetic girl or that angsty teenager that used to listen to these bands, but I also have adopted music tastes more of my own. As you can see, I was highly influenced by my environmental surroundings growing up. My ears were mainly bombarded with metal and rock music. As I grew up, I began to identify with myself and adopted my own taste in music but still used my influences to guide me. Now I listen to mainly post-hardcore, metalcore, pop punk, rock, and indie rock, but I still listen to the albums that made me the music listener I am today. All I know is that I wouldn’t change my music timeline for the world, because it gave me an ear for something that isn’t as popular today, but is much more awesome than the music my generation has been producing up to date. Ever since the day I was born, my ears were fine-tuned to the sweet sound of rock and it will remain that way until the day I die.

The Great Divide I Had While Watching Tired | Violence

Disclaimer: It has come to my attention that this post has been popping up in google for the search term “Tired Violence stream.” If you came to this blog to stream Underoath’s new documentary for free you are in the wrong place. Go buy it like everyone else did you bums and support the band. I’ll even save you some trouble. Here is the link to purchase the documentary: http://tiredviolence.merchline.com/

Tired | Violence, a recently released documentary about the dreaded, yet timely end of post-hardcore & metalcore legend Underoath, had me at a constant emotional great divide when I watched it. I have been a fan of Underoath since the beginning and remember scraping what money I could to purchase their first documentary, 777, when they were still deemed to be, without a shadow of the doubt, a Christian metalcore band. The first divide I experienced with Underoath emerged when I first heard of them. At that the early stages of Underoath’s career, I was a malleable sophomore in high school who was in an identity crisis of her own. Looking for an ounce of truth and stability, I turned, like many young teens, to Christianity to find some solace and positive influence. Instead, over time, I found a much rather judgmental and callous group of youth surrounding me. It became more about the friends than it did the faith and that caused a divide to grow within my mind. On one hand, I felt like I belonged to something. On the other side of my mind, I felt like I was becoming part of something that I didn’t truly feel I was part of, that I truly didn’t believe; I was selling out to feel like I was part of something bigger. In order to feel like I wasn’t becoming a fraud, I turned my faith to music rather than directly to religion. At the forefront of my admiration was Underoath. I could listen to them without being marooned by my newly earned friends, but feel like I was still enjoying something for myself and not for the sake of others. That’s what their music gave to me at the time: a place to exist and not feel judged for being myself, simply a girl with good taste in music. Where I am going with this, is that I started out loving Underoath for reasons of faith  and ended up loving them for a far greater reason: music. The divide between my faith (in my early teenage years)  and my true self created within me a whole new appreciation for what it means to believe in something, and at the time it was much more palatable for me to believe in a band’s music (Underoath) rather than a figure (God) that I couldn’t fully connect with at the time. All of this background brings me to the final moment I watched Underoath on the big screen rather than stage call it quits in front of my eyes. You can hear about something, even read it, but seeing it happen brings a whole new sense of closure and finality. In Tired | Violence, many divides present themselves within the band. The great divisions that brought the true end to the band were their changes in ideals/beliefs and changes in priorities.

It was very evident throughout the course of the documentary that a shift in the band’s direction occurred. We could all tell early on through the music that Underoath was producing that something was changing within the neural network of the band. Faith became less evident and a sense of, not quite quarrel, but differing ideals were presenting themselves. The music as a whole was awesome and displayed continuity, but the message was clear that they weren’t seeing eye to eye on their beliefs. For some, like Tim, Chris, and James, this discontinuity seemed to deteriorate all the band had been saying for years previous; It felt wrong for them to say they were a Christian band when only some of the members were truly that way. It’s not that they looked down upon those who adapted new beliefs, it just became something that was no longer a truth about the band. Tim even went on record saying that he loves his friends regardless of their beliefs and that is, in his opinion, the most Christian thing he could do. I completely agree with him. The true nature of religion should be acceptance and kindness, not judgement. The divide I had is that I actually saw their opinions, even as an atheist, because they didn’t spew judgement and malice, but rather understanding and kindness, but I also see the other side’s view that Underoath should be about the music and not the title of the band. They were on the verge of something great. Their message was in their music, not their over-arching beliefs as a band.

A shift in priorities as well presented themselves. Some members now have families in the mix, such as James, Chris, and Tim. They found it difficult to justify being away from their family to do what they love. I see where they have had a shift in priorities, it is a no-brainer that family does come first and it is hard to be away from them on extended periods of time, especially when you have young children. Chris mentioned, in the documentary, a time when one of his idols told him not to become him, missing every birthday and not being there for his children because he was always on the road. This man’s words seemed to ingrain in Chris’ head, because he was one of the members who ultimately decided it was time to go home and be with his family rather than be out making music with his band of 10 plus years. Though I can see why certain members would have a shift in priorities, I also see why some of them would be in opposition to this. Spencer, in particular, knew what he signed up for. He was in the music business to be in the business for life. He didn’t spend years and years perfecting his craft to just give up on a whim. Underoath was their life for so many years and it all the sudden came to an end because a shift in priorities occurred. Yes, family is a big one, but the members and the significant others both knew what they signed up for. They signed up to live and breathe music and to all the sudden just say that isn’t what you signed up for anymore is kind of a injustice to the band. It’s how you make a living, how you project your soul into the world. At Underoath’s level, it’s no longer just a hobby you can quit; it’s a lifestyle you learn to adapt to even when times change. But, I do see both sides and that’s where the divide occurs for me. It’s hard to be away from your family and even can be unsettling at times, you miss a lot, and it can become a strain on relationships, but I also see how, in the music world, you have to make sacrifices to do what you love and that’s something that some member’s like Spencer are choosing to do. Ultimately, the members had to decide which world they wanted to be a part of.

As a whole, Underoath’s career was long and successful. They gave us many years of music to reflect upon and cherish. Though I am conflicted on how I feel about the shift in the band that ultimately brought them to the end, I do not resent them for it at all and no one should. Bands are made out of people and people change; that’s just life. Though it’s sad many years have finally come to end, Underoath gave us the closure we needed through their farewell shows, and for those of us who couldn’t attend, Tired | Violence. And there is a silver lining as always. Not all of the members called it quits in the music business. Spencer stayed true to his word and is continuing to make albums with his new band Sleepwave and it’s great to see him in his own element. Underoath was great while it lasted, but not everything can last forever; And that is perhaps is the greatest divide of all. But, like the band members, we have to chose to move on, not forget, just simply move on.

The Top 4 Band Break-Ups We’re Still Not Over

For music lovers, a band separating can cause more emotional turmoil than their own personal relationship break ups. We all have those bands that we don’t want to let go; especially when we’ve invested our support and love for ten years or more. It can be hard, the grief can be real, but we always remember, never forget, and most always never lose hope that someday in the horizon they will return back to us again. Here are the band break-ups we are still recovering from:

1. The Chariot

This break-up stung the most for me. When the Chariot went separate ways, they went on record on Alternative Press saying that they couldn’t get any better than “One Wing,” but I beg to differ. Yes, “One Wing” was a tough act to follow; I mean who could forget that awesome western solo in “First.” It had me wanting to say “Yee-ha!” for the first time in my life. But, they had a career nearing musical genius and I believe they are capable of more.  They held a place in the musical world that no one else occupied and that spot now remains empty for me. Their originality is something that I really miss. Their music bled utter chaos, but they still managed to make it sound harmoniously poised. If someone believed an element couldn’t be pulled off, The Chariot proved them wrong. I know the band thought it was “time” to go separate ways, but I didn’t feel it was time. Maybe that’s selfish of me (almost definitely), but I miss their incomparable energy and eclectic sounds. For now, I can put their old records on repeat and just hope that one day they do a reunion tour.

*Photo: Brian Hall

2. My Chemical Romance

I remember repeating the word “no” over and over again when I heard that MCR was calling it quits. The reality perched over me like a raven and it mocked me with its “never mores.” I had invested in this musical relationship for eleven years and it came to a sudden halt. No one can pull off whininess quite like MCR can. Gerard Way had a lyrical way about him. His tone of voice bundled you up in angst and wrapped you up in turmoil. I know it doesn’t really sound like a great experience, but he made you feel and that is everything to a teenage kid looking for some sort of connection in this world. As the band evolved, to their “Black Parade” days I found myself confused with the new direction, but only because I was used to MCR being so emo and dark. Though they still had elements from their previous albums, they adopted a more positive outlook in songs like “Sing.” The evolution of MCR was one that I am proud to say I followed from beginning to end. Though it’s sad that MCR is no more, there is a silver lining to this story: Gerard Way has started a solo project and it’s awesome.

3. Haste the Day

Haste the Day was the only band to every make me proud to be a hoosier. Their breakdowns are among some of my faves. Their album, “When Everything Falls,” resonated with me on a deep level in 2005. Many people don’t know that their name comes from a lyric in the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul.” Though it’s not well with my soul that Haste the Day broke up, they recently announced that they are reuniting. They really just like to make their fans sweat. They started an Indiegogo fund for their next album and raised 210% of what they had asked for. I think I speak for everyone when I say that they are a good investment. I just hope this is the last breakup we will have to endure from them, but they know we’ll always keep coming back.

4. Underoath

Spencer Chamberlain and Aaron Gilespie were a dynamic duo in this band. The guttural screams of Chamberlain mixed with the melancholic grace of Gillespie’s voice made for an incomparable and beautiful juxtaposition. Underoath also put on a show to remember. The first time and last time I saw them live was Warped Tour in 2010. There wasn’t a kid on his feet in front of that stage and everyone, I mean everyone, sang along. They had a quality about them that hypnotized you. You felt like you were asleep dreaming, but also so alive and awake. Underoath’s career was a roller coaster ride I wish I never had to get off of. Though I prefer the band intact, Chamberlain and Gilespie have started two very successful solo projects. (The Almost and Sleepwave) and they both took the directions you would have expected them to. Spencer went with a grittier, electronic direction, while Aaron took a more melodic, acoustic route. They both progressed on their own, but I would have loved to see what they could have kept doing together in Underoath.

The truth of the matter is though that bands are subject to human nature. Though different musical personalities can work together, they still clash and sometimes they never recover from that. Like most break ups, there is always a silver lining and that silver lining is that we were graced with these bands music for many years. They aren’t dead, they are alive every time we play their songs and sing their melodies. Yes, it sucks that they are gone but we have a lot to thank them for.