Underoath -- Ø (Disambiguation)

8/10

Underoath's last pre-breakup/pre-reunion album, Ø (Disambiguation), removes my least favorite element from the band's sound: Aaron Gillespie's, high, nasally vocals. This is due to Gillespie, the band's final remaining founding member, leaving the band--but this also meant Underoath no longer had a drummer. The band wisely sought out ex-Norma Jean drummer, Daniel Davison, who fills out their style nicely, bringing a style that's less punk, and more bouncy. I don't want to give the wrong impression, though. This is Underoath's darkest album to this point.
The band don't stray from their metalcore roots, other than adding some more Radiohead-esque electronic soundscapes to the mix. If you were hoping for some big jump with the guitar riffs or patterns, that doesn't happen here. It's really more of the same, but likely done the best that Underoath can do it. These 11 songs are mean and scary, and feature Underoath's best work. Spencer Chamberlain's vocals really shine here. Now that he doesn't have to share the mic, he's able to stretch his wings not only as a singer, but as a screamer. His work is raw and gritty, and fits this music perfectly.
The lyrics are a downer, even for this band, as again, whatever Christian faith they thought they had seems to be strangling them and pushing their heads underwater. In a later interview, Chamberlain announced that he never felt more alone than when he was a Christian, which is the opposite of the entire point of being a Christian, and proof that these poor dudes never had any true religion. Again, I don't think this is their fault, but it's also true. I can separate the overly dramatic, heavy lyrical content here for the overall package, though, which is actually a dark blast of fun. Disambiguation features plenty of cool moments, including the best aping of Deftones I've ever heard, in the album's most adventurous and best track, "Paper Lung."
Whatever else this band does, they've got this incredible "Paper Lung" video to their name. Featuring absolutely epic imagery, as the band plays in a house seemingly between an ocean and a city, the ocean infinite and terrifying, then frozen, then on fire, as a dark omen of a moon hangs overhead. Suddenly, the moon eclipses, everything goes dark, then red, as horrific, arcane symbols flash in the sky. It's apocalyptic perfection, and reminds me of a nightmare I once had where the moon set directly into the Mississippi River and cast the world in eternal, apocalyptic, screaming darkness.
Anyway, this is a solid album. And considering the band's recent shift in styles to a sound I like far less, probably the last Underoath LP I'll own.


2010 Tooth & Nail
1. In Division 3:58
2. Catch Myself Catching Myself 3:29
3. Paper Lung 4:11
4. Illuminator 3:10
5. Driftwood 3:00
6. A Divine Eradication 3:16
7. Who Will Guard the Guardians 3:52
8. Reversal 1:43
9. Vacant Mouth 3:53
10. My Deteriorating Incline 3:33
11. In Completion 4:20