Artist: Underoath Album: They're Only Chasing Safety Label: Tooth & Nail Records Rating: 8 out of 10

The future of metal up-and-comers Underoath was called into question when frontman Dallas Taylor left the band last summer mid-tour. But now, with a new singer and album, They're Only Chasing Safety, it appears that Underoath has bounced back - and quite well. The group's previous full-length, The Changing of Times, was a well-received blend of metal and hardcore, given a more epic tinge by the inclusion of keyboards and strings. For fans of that record, Safety may come as a bit of a shock. The keyboards are still here, but instead of ramping up the black-metal drama, they're used to alternately accent and fill out songs that lean clearly in the direction of the currently-trendy emo-core scene. You're probably thinking "another sell-out" right about now, but before you pass judgment on the boys in Underoath, give this album a listen, and you might just feel differently. That's because, though many bands these days are offering their take on this emotional offshoot of hardcore and punk, Underoath is the rare exception that actually gets it right. Songs like "Young and Aspiring" and first single "Reinventing Your Exit" trade on the now-standard mix of screaming and melodic singing, but with punchy music and the dynamic vocals of new singer Spencer Chamberlain, the combination doesn't feel forced at all. In fact, it almost feels fresh for a change. And the heavier songs here feel like natural extensions of the inclination toward melody and structure that was just hinted at on Changing, . "The Impact of Reason" deploys both pounding double-bass drums and a nice New Wave-ish keyboard melody, then tops it all off with a catchy chorus. Long-time Underoath listeners should immediately embrace "I Don't Feel Very Receptive Today" which, with its high-pitched screams and chaotically-brutal riffing, is the closest to any of their past work, while still incorporating subtler instrumental touches throughout. Aside from offering a good helping of punchy rockers, Underoath also takes some surprising chances on Safety. "It's Dangerous Business Just Walking Out Your Front Door" seems standard at first - stop-start guitars, throat-shredding vocals, and a nice hook - then everything drops out for a choral-style group vocal section. When Chamberlain and the rest of the band come back in over the chanting, it makes for a uniquely-powerful effect. And Underoath show their soft side on album-closer "Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape." Opening with a clicky '80s-style drum-machine beat, the band adds layers of delicate arpeggios, acoustic strums and angelic singing that make it into one of Safety's true standouts. They're not afraid to show their spiritual side, either, as demonstrated by the song's moving chorus. "I'm faithful/ I will teach you to be stronger. Hey, I'm graceful/ I will teach you to forgive one another," Chamberlain sings, before offering, "Here's my kiss to betray./ I'm desperate to brush the lips of grace." The only real strike against this record is its brevity - at just 38 minutes, and 10 tracks (one of which is only a brief instrumental interlude), Safety is a little on the short side. Hopefully in the future, Underoath will take the opportunity to further stretch the boundaries of their sound over the course of longer songs and albums. But more importantly, unlike some of their contemporaries, the group proves on They're Only Chasing Safety they've managed to smoothly pull off the transition from metallic fury to melodic hardcore. Underoath has retained important aspects of their old sound, while developing their inclinations toward something deeper. It's commercially and artistically-viable by chance, not design - and hopefully people will take notice. - Todd Thatcher