Summer 2010 has definitely been under a heat wave, which has many hoping for these summer days to cool down. Things will start to ‘cool’ down starting July 12, for the ‘Cool Tour’ is on its way to blast in a cold front.
Featured on this Cool Tour are familiar metal core bands: As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Between the Buried and Me (BTBAM), Bless the Fall, The Acacia Strain, Architects, Cancer Bats and War of Ages. The Cool Tour will begin in Orlando, FL and will freeze up in San Francisco, CA on August 1st.
According to ew.com, the Cool Tour is expected to be a “total flip flop mosh, parking lot bro down to the max” said Cancer Bats front man Liam Cormier.
Out of the many bands, guitarist Tim McTauge of Underoath was able to take some time away from recording their new album in order to talk about some new changes within the band, along with some excitement about the Cool Tour.
“We have a new drummer, and we have been practicing a lot with him. We are getting a lot of stuff going on the practice front by playing old songs and learning new songs,” said McTague.
The new drummer for Underoath is Daniel Davison, former member of Christian alternative metal core band Norma Jean. Davison has joined the band on drums for the production of Underoath’s new album and for the Cool Tour. It will be released this fall why Underoath’s vocalist and drummer Aaron Gillespie chose a leave of absence.
At the time of the interview, Underoath was still hard at work with their latest album.
“We are still working on it, it’s been awesome and really good. Everything’s been super productive,” said McTague. “It has been a big breath of fresh air. There’s a lot going on now that we didn’t have about 3 or 4 months ago. We are all really happy with the way things are turning out.”
Proving that Underoath was hard at work, a Tweet on Friday, June 9 at around 4 a.m. said: “Yes, it is 4:00 a.m. Yes, we are practicing. Yes, that IS how we roll.” Later that day, an updated Facebook status posted around 5 p.m. said: “the record is DONE!!!”
According to McTague, the new album that is underway is different from Underoath’s previous work. Saying that the new album is “way more experimental.”
“The album has a lot of Spencer singing more. There are a lot of different dynamics that we have now that we have never had. Things like guitar work, tunings and new elements of the band that we have been adding are very cool.”
Underoath is known for their heavy mix of screaming and singing. Along with that, the energized sounds that the metal core band makes sends an individual charged up into a rock rhythm. Aside from the engaging sounds, surprisingly, the music’s lyrics can help one find a positive outlook on life.
The overall message that Underoath wants fans and new listeners alike to take from their music is the simple concepts of hope, peace and positivity.
“Honestly, universally as a group we just really believe in hope - I think there are a lot of things that get in people’s way of enjoying life and living life and feeling fulfilled and having peace,” said McTague. “We really wanna be the band that propagates a message of hope and reformation of self and mind and finding that inner peace, ya know?”
All but one Floridian is a North Carolina native. The band is ready to head up from Florida to the south, ready to soak up the south’s charm.
“Spencer is from North Carolina, his dad always comes down and brings us BBQ and stuff, and it always is a really cool time. We are stoked and can’t wait to get up there we haven’t been there in awhile,” said McTauge.
The upcoming show in the Queen City is the fourth stop of the Cool Tour. Underoath wants their audience to enjoy the unveiling of what they have been working on.
“As I lay Dying are some friends of ours, Between the Buried and Me and the rest of the other bands are all really great too. There’s just a lot of things to look forward to for sure,” McTague said. “We’re playing a bunch of new and old songs. The new drummer and different vocals is another thing to look forward to. It should all be really cool.”
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