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Voyeurist

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Voyeurist
Studio album by
Underoath
ReleasedJanuary 14, 2022 (2022-01-14)
Genre
Length38:39
LabelFearless
Producer
Underoath chronology
Erase Me
(2018) 		Voyeurist
(2022)
Singles from Voyeurist
  1. "Damn Excuses"
    Released: July 14, 2021
  2. "Hallelujah"
    Released: August 4, 2021
  3. "Pneumonia"
    Released: September 22, 2021
  4. "Cycle"
    Released: October 27, 2021
  5. "Numb"
    Released: December 8, 2021

Voyeurist is the ninth studio album by American rock band Underoath, released on January 14, 2022, via Fearless Records, after a three-month pushback due to vinyl production delays. It is their first album in four years following Erase Me (2018), marking the longest gap between two studio albums in the band's career without breaking up and it is the final album with rhythm guitarist James Smith who was fired from the band in March 2023.

Background

[edit]

On July 14, 2021, the band released "Damn Excuses", the lead single from the album.[3][4][5] On August 4, 2021, the band released the second single from the album, "Hallelujah".[6]

On September 22, 2021, the band released the third single "Pneumonia" and revealed it was written exactly one year prior to release. The single is the album's seven-minute finale and was partly inspired by the passing of guitarist Tim McTague's father.[7] This was followed by two more singles, "Cycle" featuring Ghostemane, released on October 27, 2021,[8] and "Numb", released on December 8, 2021,[9] the latter described as "a grown-up version of something off their 2004 album They're Only Chasing Safety."[10]

The band described the album as "high-def violence," with a "technologically advanced, but undeniably visceral" sound. Guitarist Tim McTague stated, "I've always wanted to record our own album. I think we just needed to get into a headspace personally that would allow criticism and critique to land in a productive and constructive way. We grew so much in real time and I think the record speaks to that growth and collaboration. I haven't ever felt this attached to a project in my life."[11]

Promotion

[edit]

The album was performed live entirely in a livestream concert entitled Voyeurist: Digital Ghost, on December 3, 2021.[12] One attendee would be chosen to receive an Underoath prize pack that includes a vinyl edition of Voyeurist, along with three of their previous albums, They're Only Chasing Safety (2004), Define the Great Line (2006) and Lost in the Sound of Separation (2008) in vinyl as part of the Underoath: Observatory boxset, named after a livestream series of those three albums performed entirely in 2020.[13]

Underoath embarked on a North American tour in support of the album with Spiritbox from February to March.[14] Vocalist Spencer Chamberlain stated about the tour: "There was a time during the pandemic where I didn't know if we’d ever get to tour again. I would sit up at night and try to wrap my brain around a world without live music and I just couldn't ever digest that thought."[15] Every Time I Die was originally to join Underoath and Spiritbox for the Voyeurist tour, but the group split up in January 2022. The group was replaced by Bad Omens and Stray from the Path.[16]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[17]
Distorted Sound8/10[1]
Kerrang!4/5[2]
Punk News[18]
Wall of Sound9/10[19]

Kerrang praised the album, stating that "Voyeurist is arguably the most cohesive and coherent record of Underøath's career to date. It's an album that asks profound questions about the meaning of life and death, about the nature and purpose of existence (and non/un-existence) and about the role that faith and religion play in our lives – all to some of the most punishingly heavy music you’ll hear this year."[2] Wall of Sound gave it a 9/10 rating.[19]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Spencer Chamberlain and Aaron Gillespie, with additional writers noted; all music is composed by Chamberlain, Gillespie, Chris Dudley, and Tim McTague, with additional writers noted.

No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Damn Excuses"  2:37
2."Hallelujah"  3:01
3."I'm Pretty Sure I'm Out of Luck and Have No Friends"  3:45
4."Cycle" (featuring Ghostemane)Eric Whitney 4:13
5."Thorn"  4:36
6."(No Oasis)"  2:49
7."Take a Breath"  3:26
8."We're All Gonna Die"  3:19
9."Numb" JJ Revell3:41
10."Pneumonia"McTague
  • Revell
  • Seth Davis
7:12
Total length:38:39

Personnel

[edit]

Underoath

Additional contributors

  • JJ Revell – production, engineering, additional synthesizer on "We're All Gonna Die", additional percussion on "Cycle"
  • Chad Howat – mixing
  • Ted Jensen – mastering
  • Scooter – guitar and bass technician
  • Rowdy – drum technician
  • Tension Division – creative direction, art, design
  • Allison Gruchacz – choir on "Hallelujah"
  • Rachel Gabrielse – choir on "Hallelujah"
  • Katie Doerner – choir on "Hallelujah"
  • Tommy Phillips – choir on "Hallelujah"
  • Nate Murray – choir on "Hallelujah"
  • Michael Mobley – choir on "Hallelujah"
  • Nate Young – choir on "Hallelujah"
  • Adam Enfinger – choir on "Hallelujah"
  • Daniel Nelson – choir on "Hallelujah"

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Voyeurist
Chart (2022) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[20] 126
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[21] 4
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[22] 19

References

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  1. ^ a b c Daniel Fella (January 11, 2022). "ALBUM REVIEW: Underoath - Voyeurist". Distorted Sound. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "The big review: Underøath – Voyeurist". Kerrang!. January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  3. ^ Carter, Josh (July 14, 2021). "Underoath's new single "Damn Excuses" is necessary listening–check it". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  4. ^ Neilstein, Vince (July 14, 2021). "Underoath Unveil Heavy New Track, "Damn Excuses"". MetalSucks. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  5. ^ Hartmann, Graham (July 14, 2021). "Underoath Surprise Release Heavy New Song 'Damn Excuses'". Loudwire. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  6. ^ Childers, Chad (August 4, 2021). "Underoath Deliver Chant-Along New Song 'Hallelujah,' Announce New Album". Loudwire. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  7. ^ Brown, Paul 'Browny' (September 22, 2021). "Underoath Deliver Haunting Third Single 'Pneumonia'". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  8. ^ "Underoath + Ghostemane Embody Exasperation With New Song 'Cycle'". Loudwire. October 27, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  9. ^ "Underoath release new single "Numb" ahead of 'Voyeurist'—listen". Alternative Press. December 8, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  10. ^ "UNDEROATH Likens New Song "Numb" To They're Only Chasing Safety". December 8, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  11. ^ "Underoath Deliver "High-Def Violence" on New Album 'Voyeurist'". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  12. ^ Tate, Jason (November 17, 2021). "Underoath Announce Concert Livestream". Chorus.fm. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  13. ^ "Enter to Win Rare Underoath Box Set, Livestream Ticket, Their New Album + More". Loudwire. November 17, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  14. ^ "Underoath Announce North American Tour with Every Time I Die, Spiritbox". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  15. ^ "News: Underoath Announce 2022 Voyeurist North American Headlining Tour". August 17, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  16. ^ Childers, Chad (August 2021). "Underoath name Every Time I Die replacements for 2022 North American Tour". Loudwire. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  17. ^ Yeung, Neil Z. "Underoath - Voyeurist Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  18. ^ "Underoath - Voyeurist". Punk News. January 25, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Underoath – Voyeurist (Album Review)". Wall Of Sound. January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  20. ^ "Underoath Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  21. ^ "Underoath Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  22. ^ "Underoath Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
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