Music

Underoath celebrates 20 years of They’re Only Chasing Safety

Concert Review: Underoath in Buffalo

Review: The Buffalo RiverWorks show was a testament to the post-hardcore act’s enduring legacy in music. 

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Kayla Breen
Underoath performs “Young and Inspiring” during the “They’re Only Chasing Safety” 20th Anniversary Tour on Dec. 3, 2024 at Buffalo RiverWorks in Buafflo, NY.

Underoath delivered a powerhouse performance at Buffalo RiverWorks this past week, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking album They’re Only Chasing Safety.

The Florida-based post-hardcore titans treated fans to a front-to-back play-through of the seminal record, transporting the audience back to 2004 with anthems like “Reinventing Your Exit,” “It’s Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door” and “A Boy Brushed Red Living In Black And White.”

Each song reverberated through the venue, a reminder of why the album became a cornerstone for a generation of emo, screamo and post-hardcore music fans.

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Underoath vocalist Spencer Chamberlain performs “A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White.”

The celebration didn’t end there. After closing out They’re Only Chasing Safety, Underoath dove into fan favorites from Define the Great Line, an album that solidified their reputation as trailblazers in heavy music.

The surprises continued with the live debut of “Generation, No Surrender,” a new track that vocalist Spencer Chamberlain introduced as “only played a handful of times.” The band also performed their recently released single, “Survivor’s Guilt.”

Underoath was joined on tour by UK post-hardcore band Static Dress, who opened the show with their explosive energy and blend of aggression and melody that set the tone for the night.

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Static Dress vocalist Olli Appleyard performs during Underoath’s “They’re Only Chasing Safety” 20th Anniversary Tour.

Chamberlain’s iconic screams showed no signs of wear, even after two decades. His stage presence was magnetic, and his connection with the crowd was palpable. Reflecting on the energy of the packed house, Chamberlain admitted, “We don’t go here nearly enough,” a sentiment that resonated with fans, before ending the night with fan-favorite track “Writing On The Walls.”

The night was more than a 20th anniversary show; it was a testament to Underoath’s enduring legacy in music.