The Christian metal group Underoath has used the past seven years to show change can be a good thing and continues to do so with their latest studio album Disambiguation. Underoath formed in 1998 and struggled through the early years. In 2003 Underoath’s future seemed uncertain after lead vocalist Dallas Taylor decided to leave the group in the midst of the Warped Tour. Ironically, this was the change the band needed to surpass to the next level. Former This Runs Through vocalist Spencer Chamberlain stepped up as Underoath’s new front man, leading the band to triumph. Disambiguation continues Underoath’s streak of having every album released since 2004’s They’re Only Chasing Safety secure a spot on the Billboard 200 Albums charts.

Perhaps what helped secure Disambiguation’s two week run on the Billboard 200 Albums charts is the record’s ability to attract different demographics. As a Christian band, Underoath naturally appeals to many religious zealots. Additionally, the aggressive metal music on Disambiguation can attract disgruntled teenagers. Furthermore, the rather ambiguous lyrics found on some tracks can draw interest from political activists. In many ways the album is a paradox, as the title suggests one idea but the music provides the opposite.  

“Who Will Guard the Guardians” serves as the perfect example of a song which offers a religious message but can also appeal to teenagers and political activists. From a religious perspective “Who Will Guard the Guardians” talks about the second coming of Jesus Christ. For instance, the line “We were all warned this would happen” could refer to messages in the Bible which foreshadows the second coming. In contrast, a political outlook on the line could allude to unelected politicians and their supporters who warned about worsening or emerging political issues. To further support the track’s political meaning, Chamberlain belts out powerfully “Revolt, Revolt!” This could be seen as a cry for the American people to rise up against corrupt leaders. At the same time Chamberlain’s screams, along with the song’s aggressive instrumentals, can be seen as a healthy way for unhappy teenagers to vent about life’s frustrations.

Other tracks which might help comfort upset teenagers include “Illuminator” and “My Deteriorating Incline.” Angry teens who feel like the adults in their lives are out to get them could emphasize with the “Illuminator” lyric “They hunt me down.”  “My Deteriorating Incline” offers sympathy for disgruntled youths with the lines “I’m not fine, I’m not fine. How can I find my way from this little cellar they call life?” Going back to the religious themes on Disambiguation, “Driftwood” stands out for the words “Sink or swim” which can be seen as a metaphor for final judgment.

Beyond the diverse demographics Underoath reaches with Disambiguation, the album displays a mature metal sound. Too often metal music is just one person screaming into a microphone to a backdrop of loud instrumentals. With changes in tone, tempo, and melody Disambiguation demonstrates Underoath truly understands the concept of making music. Chamberlain’s ability to use his voice to match a song’s instrumentals is pure genius and greatly enhances Underoath’s sound. The band’s use of different tempos on tracks, like “Paper Lungs” and “My Deteriorating Incline,” helps capture the listener’s attention. The softer melodies found on “Paper Lungs” and “Driftwood” makes the songs standout from the more aggressive ones on the record. Overall, Disambiguation is a solid collection of music.