Erase Me
by Underøath
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
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  1. AllMusic
    Apr 5, 2018
    80
    Erase Me can be considered yet another radical shift in the band's lifetime of variation, a risk that pays off with an open mind and open ears.
  2. Exclaim
    Apr 5, 2018
    80
    Yes, Erase Me also features more singing and less metalcore than has been standard in Underoath's career, but it straddles Sleepwave's experimentations, landing on the catchier side ("Rapture," "Wake Me"), more energetic side ("It Has to Start Somewhere," "Hold Your Breath") or somehow pushing both extremes ("In Motion," "Sink With You").

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User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. FoxRoss
    Apr 6, 2018
    4
    When Dallas Taylor left Underoath the band lost a lot of those fans who had loved the dirtier, and at times heavier, iteration of Underoath.When Dallas Taylor left Underoath the band lost a lot of those fans who had loved the dirtier, and at times heavier, iteration of Underoath. However, the debut of Spencer on They're Only Chasing Safety proved to be the catalyst for the future success of Underoath. The faith-based band was revered as pioneers in the age of post-hardcore and skinny-jean metalcore. What wasn't there to be a fan of? Though singing, courtesy Aaron Gillespie, became a more prominent piece of the group's music, the band never stepped away from its darker sound. Even now, with what long time fans may consider a huge departure, that darkness lingers.

    It is clear that the band has a message to deliver. What isn't as clear is whether or not this message is one which is proudly championed by all the men of Underoath or if Spencer, having worked on a side project not dissimilar from the sound of Erase Me, had some material and that gang was just looking for a reason to get back together. After listening to the entirety of the album, I'm inclined to believe it's the latter.

    Everything here isn't awful. As a matter of fact I can't say the album is objectively the mess that I feel it is in my own mind. I'm willing to plead my case regardless. See, when On My Teeth dropped I was supportive. It was clear they were changing a bit, but the components were still there to make the group identifiable as Underoath. When Rapture landed a few weeks ago, fear began to set in. What I heard sounded like a similar formula to that of other bands who have come and gone from Fearless Records. Not yet ready to give up hope, though not please at all with the use of electronic samples, I waited for the full album.

    It Has to Start Somewhere starts the album off on a note that indicates that we're in for a treat like only Underoath, the band which put Solid State Records on the map, can offer. For those that hadn't heart On My Teeth this may also be the first time hearing a curse word within the lyrics. There's an energy here that suggests slight deviations from their previous sound, but not enough to scare away fans. I then skipped Rapture and On My Teeth because I'd already heard them. Wake Me didn't do a lot to reenforce the sound they set up with It Has to Start Somewhere. In fact, Wake Me may be the catchiest song the band has every put to record and on a personal level I can't say it works for them.

    And then, sadly, much of the album unfolds with a handful of songs following similar structures. You have valley's of quiet subdued vocals met with short aggressive bouts of screaming or simply yelling. A few of the songs, which incorporate the occasional **** seem as if they do so to be gimmicky. Unfortunately it's already clear by this point that the band's edge is gone. They have become, what many may feel, the next Bring Me the Horizon. I wouldn't fault someone for confusing the two.

    The final song, aptly titled I Gave Up, seems to be a joke that is way too on the nose. Ultimately it's the perfect descriptor for the latest release from these once giants, as it seems they gave up trying to create their own sound and followed something that had already been laid out before them during the time they've been absent from the scene. It's too bad, but at least we have a catalog which spanned the better part of 20 years to fall back on.    … Full Review »
  2. hdlsousa
    Apr 10, 2018
    8
    A band can't always be the same.
    Underoath is now different but this album gave me a great nostalgy. The essence is still there. The album is    A band can't always be the same.
    Underoath is now different but this album gave me a great nostalgy. The essence is still there. The album is well balanced, Spencer stills very well. I'm really loving this album.    … Full Review »
  3. DavidCall360
    Apr 6, 2018
    10
    It's different than people were hoping for, but that isn't a negative thing, This feels like the logical progression for Underoath. There'sIt's different than people were hoping for, but that isn't a negative thing, This feels like the logical progression for Underoath. There's heavy songs, melodic songs, punk-ish songs. This album has so many different things going on and I love it. I'd put this album right up there with all the best of Underoath's discography .… Full Review »
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