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The Changing Of Times Review

I've got disappointing news for Daniel Cano: Reliance on categorization is a tool of the undereducated. Ironic that this "education" you've claimed is one which falls far short of many more intelligent listeners.

A more sophisticated approach than "categorization and condemnation" is to break each band down until you hear and understand how their unique combination of styles fits together. To prove my example, what would you think of someone who lumped all "heavy metal" together, and distinuished good old "rock and roll" from that "screaming and loud noise that all sounds the same". As fans of heavy metal we know that they haven't listened enough to discern a difference. Its like self-centered white kids thinking that all black or asian people look the same(or vice versa).

As for Underoath, I think that they have accomplished finding a niche in the area of metal which I really don't have other bands. And its an appealing niche to me. I think this band probably does fit the emocore moniker, but I don't listen to most of the bands that are classified as such and can't say that they are standard "emocore". All I know is that they're heavy and light at the same time, that the emotion really flows through in a way that doesn't seem whiny despite the reputation, and the songs must be well written to stay in my head (a welcome stay - unlike that damn Price is Right theme that won't go away).

I should mention that the singer on this album is not as appealing to me as their new singer. I don't like how he stays in the same high pitched range, but they still have good background vocals and its not enough to really damage them. You can look at it as a more raw and hard edged sound too - something in the vein of Poison the Well's opposite of december being great despite the improvement in vocals of the new album (if you can agree with that in the first place).

So as most reasonable reviews should end, you must hear for yourself. I think most open minded metal fans would like them, I know I do.

Review by: Keith A. Wellman, Amazon.com