Act of Depression
| Act of Depression | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 4, 1999[1] | |||
| Recorded | March 1999 | |||
| Studio | Audiolab Studios, Tampa, Florida | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 55:55 | |||
| Label | Takehold | |||
| Producer | James Paul Wisner | |||
| Underoath chronology | ||||
| ||||
Act of Depression is the debut studio album by American rock band Underoath. Released July 4, 1999, through Takehold Records, the album was out of print for some time as there were only 2,000 copies originally released.[2] Solid State reissued this album alongside Cries of the Past on August 20, 2013.[3]
Background and recording[edit]
Underoath formed on November 30, 1997 in Ocala, Florida by vocalist Dallas Taylor and guitarist Luke Morton.[4][5] Morton was the one who came up with the band's name.[6] The two would recruit guitarist Corey Steger, bassist Octavio Fernandez, and drummer Aaron Gillespie from Tampa.[7][8] The members were all in high school at the time.[9]
After a year of touring throughout Florida, the band were signed to the Alabama-based label Takehold Records; around this time, Morton would leave the band. Underoath would record their debut album, Act of Depression, in March 1999. The album was produced by James Paul Wisner at Audiolab Studios in Tampa.[10] Act of Depression would be released four months later on July 4.
Musical content and style[edit]
The style of this album has been described as metalcore with death metal influences.[3][11][12]
The hidden track "Spirit of a Living God" begins with commentary by lead guitarist Corey Steger speaking about his description about God, talks about receiving Jesus Christ and that he dedicates the album to those that were victims to rape, suicide and depression. It features drummer Aaron Gillespie in the background of the commentary singing along with an acoustic guitar. After 15 seconds of silence (3:47 - 4:02), the song itself starts; it is an acoustic rock song that features singing vocals by Gillespie.[citation needed]
Reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Alternative Press |   [11] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [1] |
Act of Depression overall received mixed reviews.
Casey Boland of Alternative Press stated that the album sounds "hopelessly dated" by modern standards and that the songs are "complicated seemingly for the sake of being complicated." Boland wrote the album has "flashes of brilliance" but "doesn’t have the creative legs to stand the test of time." Boland concluded his review by saying "Despite its many flaws, Act Of Depression is a curious look at the humble beginnings of an influential band."[11]
Opening track, "Heart of Stone", would later appear on the band's 2012 compilation Anthology: 1999–2013.
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Underoath
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Heart of Stone" | 5:50 |
| 2. | "A Love So Pure" | 10:39 |
| 3. | "Burden in Your Hands" | 6:28 |
| 4. | "Innocence Stolen" | 6:35 |
| 5. | "Act of Depression" | 10:23 |
| 6. | "Watch Me Die" | 6:56 |
| 17. | "Spirit of a Living God" (hidden track; sometimes credited as "Praise") | 9:08 |
| Total length: | 55:55 | |
Tracks 7 to 16 are silent. The silent tracks and "Spirit of a Living God" are not present on the 2013 re-release.
Personnel[edit]
- Underoath
- Dallas Taylor – lead vocals
- Corey Steger – guitar, backing vocals
- Octavio Fernandez – bass
- Aaron Gillespie – drums, backing vocals on "A Love So Pure", lead vocals on "Spirit of a Living God"
- Additional
- James Paul Wisner – producer
- Greg – engineer
- Josh – mastering
- Tim Baron – illustrations, cover art
- Ryan Clark – reissue art
References[edit]
- ^ a b Powless, Steven (November 29, 2011). "Underoath, 'Act of Depression' Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved December 31, 2011.
- ^ J. Downey, Ryan. "Underoath Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "Instagram post by Solid State Records • Jul 26, 2013 at 9:13pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- ^ "Underoath Biography". MP3.com. February 22, 2009. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
- ^ "Alternative Press Podcast – UnderOATH Interview". Archived from the original on January 10, 2016.
- ^ Dudley, Chris (May 4, 2006). "Underoath Interview May 4, 2006". drivenfaroff.com (Interview). Interviewed by Manuel Garcia. Archived from the original on January 13, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2008.
- ^ Brandell, Grant (July 2006). "Underoath Interview". musicfaith.com (Interview). Interviewed by Music Faith. Archived from the original on April 3, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2008.
- ^ "Underoath Bio". Solid State Records. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2008.
- ^ Chamberlain, Spencer; Gillespie, Aaron (July 17, 2006). "Interview With Underoath". Europunk.net (Interview). Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
- ^ "Act of Depression - Underoath". AllMusic. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ a b c Boland, Casey (July 4, 1999). "Home Reviews Underoath - Act of Depression". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on August 29, 2010.
- ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. p. 976. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
