LIVE REVIEW: Underoath @ O2 Ritz, Manchester

After a hot and sticky week, the perfect way to wind down is to go to a show that is sure to feature even hotter and stickier mosh pits. Tonight’s hub of entertainment is the o2 Ritz in Manchester as metalcore darlings UNDEROATH bring their tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their excellent 2004 album, They’re Only Chasing Safety bringing in a nice blast of nostalgia to the audience for the evening. The excitement amongst the crowd is palpable who are ready to mosh the night away. 

Up first however are the ever impressive Leeds-based metalcore outfit, STATIC DRESS who proved to be the perfect support band for the night ahead. They understood the assignment for the evening and wasted very little time whipping the crowd up in a frenzy with their frenetic and fun style of metalcore. They’re rapidly becoming one the UK’s hottest bands and will no doubt be playing venues of this size in no time. Frontman Olli Appleyard leaps around the stage as the rest of the band unleash a barrage of sound upon the crowd, much to their enjoyment. It’s easy to see why so many high profile bands have had them in support recently. The bounce floor of the Ritz definitely had its work cut out as the crowd obeyed every order from Appleyard. From two stepping, circle/mosh pits and crowd surfing, the crowd gave their all. And this was all before the main event of the evening. 

Rating: 8/10

Shortly afterwards UNDEROATH and one hell of a show. Once again the audience is ready and waiting to throwdown, despite the horrible heat inside the venue. As soon as the opening chords to Young And Aspiring are struck, the standing section of the Ritz turns into a warzone. The journey through They’re Only Chasing Safety has begun. There is very minimal stage set up, tonight is all about the music and the crowd full of sodden Mancunians are ready to soak it all up. The play through of the album doesn’t take it’s foot off the guess at all. The crowds energy somehow goes up a notch as soon as A Boy Brushed Red Living In Black and White with them being almost as loud as the band at times. Frontman Spencer Chamberlain’s voice was on top form the whole evening and didn’t falter one bit. The bands stamina is ever impressive despite the oppressive heat which is mentioned throughout the night, the audience is impressively able to keep up with them. 

The band is so tight they don’t miss a beat at all. Each band member uses the stage to their advantage as they bounce around the stage feeding pummelling guitar riffs into our ears. They continue to barrel through the many hits this record has, each song is met with the same adulation than the one before. It was great to see just how much this album means to the audience watching. Reinventing Your Exit and It’s A Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door bring even more riffs and impressive mass singalongs. 

All the songs they play are belted back to them by the audience, there isn’t a moment that the audience isn’t singing along in unison. The show continues along at 100mph with very little time taken out to slow things down until the end of the main set in which they play Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape. This song is described as “the slow one off the record” which brings a welcome respite in the heat and amongst the furious moshing throughout the crowd. It’s a nice and subtle ending to the play through of They’re Only Chasing Safety and sees the drummer Aaron Gilespie taking centre stage as he serenades the crowd and proving he’s as good a singer as he is a drummer.

Once the encore begins, UNDEROATH ramp things back up to 100mph to ensure they go out with the biggest band possible. It’s a moment for the band to play a handful of tracks from records throughout the rest of their career. In Regards To Myself and Hallelujah are met with the same enthusiasm as any of the songs from They’re Only Chasing Safety. Bringing the proceedings to a close, they played Writing On The Walls which saw both band and crowd absolutely give their all one final time and even saw the band confirm the completion of a new album which is an exciting prospect for the future. 

UNDEROATH put on one hell of a show. To give so much energy through a show like that has to be commended and by doing so, UNDEROATH have been able to cement themselves as one of the most exciting metalcore bands to see over the years. Before this tour it had been seven years since they’d played the UK, hopefully next time it’s a lot sooner! 

Rating: 8/10

Check out our photo gallery from the night’s action in Manchester from Jess Bowden here: 

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