Last Wednesday at the O2 Kentish Town Forum, Underoath delivered a show that was more than just a nostalgia trip for fans clinging to their teenage angst. It was a defiant middle finger to the critics who once pigeonholed metalcore as a genre of fleeting trends and guttural screams. This wasn’t your typical mosh pit fueled by mindless aggression. This was a celebration of a band that dared to evolve, pushing the boundaries of the genre they helped define.
Some may miss the wild, chaotic mosh pits of the past where bodies once flew through the air like missiles. Yet, for longtime fans of Underoath, the change in energy wasn’t a watering down but a refining process. This show resonated with those who’ve grown alongside the band, where emotions have evolved beyond raw intensity to something deeper. Don’t get me wrong, there was a pretty consistent wave of crowd surfers and a whirlpool of a pit here and there, but the majority were there to sing along and remember the impact this album had on them.
Playing their iconic They’re Only Chasing Safety record in its entirety wasn’t just a nostalgic pandering, it was a testament to the album’s enduring strength. This is the one that divided both critics and fans alike as the band evolved their sound and accepted that you can’t please everyone, nor should you be trying to. These weren’t relics of a bygone era, these were songs that still resonated with a raw and powerful honesty. It was a reminder that Underoath was at the top of the heap of bands of the overcrowded metal core scene, and one that still matters today.
The acoustic interlude with “Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape” offered a welcome shift in gears. This stripped-down performance, featuring just Aaron Gillespie and Tim on guitars, showcased the emotional core of Underoath’s music. It was a special treat to see Aaron, the band’s last original member, step out from behind the drums and deliver such a raw and powerful vocal performance. This intimate moment highlighted the depth of his songwriting and the vulnerability often overshadowed by the band’s heavier sounds.
The encore, however, ignited a firestorm of renewed energy. Fan favorites like “In Regards to Myself” and “Take a Breath” transformed the venue into a sea of swaying bodies and roaring voices. The age range in the crowd spoke volumes about Underoath’s enduring appeal. These weren’t just teenagers clinging to their high school angst, these were fans who had grown alongside the band, their connection to the music evolving with them.
By the time the final notes of “Writing on the Walls” echoed through the hall, there was a sense of accomplishment that resonated beyond the band. Underoath had delivered a performance that proved metalcore wasn’t a dead end, it was a genre with the capacity to mature and evolve. They had shown that heavy music could be more than just mindless aggression, it could be a vessel for complex emotions and enduring connections. Underoath, 20 years in, are still a force to be reckoned with, proving that metalcore can grow old gracefully without sacrificing the raw energy that first drew us in.
