Underoath – Survive, Kaleidoscope [Live]

Tooth and Nail Records

May 29, 2008, 08:26 PM

I first heard of Underoath a couple of weeks before seeing them live at Taste of Chaos ’06. Only hearing those tracks they played live that night I thought ‘These are pretty good, I may have to listen to some more of their stuff’. But I never really did, bad? I know. Realising they were up for a review I took the chance to find out what they were really like.

“Survive, Kaleidoscope” was recorded in Philadelphia at the Electric Factory in October 2007. They also filmed the concert to turn this live CD into a live CD/DVD combo. I will only be reviewing the CD.

Like most headlining bands, they have an introducing track. For the Underoath boys this is no different. You could say whilst you’re listening to it or even if you were there that it’s a contrast to the band. Subtle and relaxing music starts as the crowd settles for 1 minute 47 seconds. The crowd then cheers and you can place an image in your head that Underoath are stepping on stage and are ready to rock everyone’s minds. I had this feeling that as soon as the song ‘Returning Empty Handed’ had started, it was a studio version. But I was wrong, as soon as I heard the crowd scream, ‘This Is Getting Old’ I knew that this band were amazing live. Even more so when I saw them live myself a year before.

Chamberlain wanted to get their fans involved during ‘It’s Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door.’ by getting them to sing along before a synth beat hits the crowd. The volume of the singing back at Underoath gives you this other picture that the venue could possibly be sold out, the atmosphere sounds full and alive. This continues throughout the album and as the band seems to be getting more and more energetic, so does the crowd.

I keep forgetting that I’m listening to a live album until I hear the roars and cheers from the crowd. That just proves that this band is capably of playing live and that they can give 100% energy until the very end of this album. Many bands rely on backing tracks and the mellow songs half way through the set but with UnderOath you don’t get any of that and that’s what every fan likes to see their favourite band do. No wonder they have a good, strong fan base.

For me and this is my only criticism I can give this band, is that it all gets too much of the same. There isn’t any dramatic change to the set, I don’t know if I’m being too picky with this but I do like to see a band surprise a crowd when performing live. But saying that, I’m only listening to the live CD. If I was actually there then it’ll probably be a different story.