Underoath’s new single “Damn Excuses” is necessary listening–check it
Underoath remains steady in their two-decade-long project of maintaining heavier-than-hell originality in their latest track, “Damn Excuses.”
The new track was released via Fearless Records. It’s the latest studio release since the band’s reimagined take on Rezz’s “Someone Else” in 2020. The song is their first original music since the deluxe version of their Grammy-nominated LP Erase Me.
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“Damn Excuses” opens with heavy chugs that transition into an explosive intro verse. The song seems to get heavier and heavier with each teeth-gritting second, until a breakdown at the 1:35 mark ushers in a moment of respite driven by heavily distorted bass. Like most Underoath tracks, the new single is aggressive, heavier than a neutron star and another stellar addition to the band’s discography.
Underoath self-recorded and produced the new song entirely at Feral Sound, guitarist Tim McTague’s studio in Tampa, Florida. According to a press release, “Damn Excuses” was partly inspired by the band’s acclaimed Observatory livestream experience last year.
To fight against the world shutting down and live music taking an abrupt pause, the Observatory series sought to recreate a sold-out arena experience. The band covered a broad scope of early releases, ranging from their landmark 2004 album They’re Only Chasing Safety to the 2008 record Lost In The Sound Of Separation. They also launched a Twitch livestream series where the band would listen to one of their albums in full and discuss the history and process associated with each track.
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Keyboardist Chris Dudley says recording “Damn Excuses” felt therapeutic.
“This song came out of nowhere for us,” Dudley said in a press release. “In hindsight, it probably stems emotionally from the anxiousness that a year of isolation will give you, and that ‘wanting-to-explode’ feeling came out with zero effort. It was therapeutic. This is us ready to get back into a loud room with sweaty people and experience something real together.”
The band first announced the single by surprise on Twitter, echoing Dudley’s sentiment.
No teasing, no countdown, this is Damn Excuses. This is us ready to get back into a loud room with sweaty people and experience something real together. Turn it all the way up. See you soon. https://t.co/pIn1bNiyub pic.twitter.com/qZXYLDZG0I
— Underoath (@UnderoathBand) July 14, 2021
Underoath has kept a remarkable consistency to their lineup, an uncommon feat after two decades of touring. In an episode of APTV, drummer/vocalist Aaron Gillespie said the bond the band shares is a driving force behind their work.
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“We are so married to each other and our craft,” Gillespie says. “And that sounds so douchey, but I don’t mean for it to. What we do is so important to us that we fight and end up hating each other half the time because of it.”
“Damn Excuses” in all its originality is the ultimate showcase of Underoath’s devotion to their craft. You can read the lyrics to the new track below.
In addition to the new single, the band is scheduled to play Blue Ridge Rock Fest, Furnace Fest and Rebel Rock in September 2021. Furthermore, they are planning a North American tour starting in February 2022, according to their website, with venues yet to be announced. You can get tickets to the September festivals and the upcoming tour when they’re available here.
What do you think of “Damn Excuses” by Underoath? Give the track a listen and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Underoath “Damn Excuses” lyrics:
You never gave me anything I wanted but I’m stuck in the cycle with you
Fuck your revelation and fuck your weak conviction
I am finally exposing the truth
Slow down you’re getting ahead of yourself man
Hold on we’ve already thought this one through
Why won’t you just walk away
Breathe deep before you cross the line
Find yourself another victim
Take cover this could last all night
I don’t want an explanation
Yeah
Used up you keep on falling apart man
How many times can you do this
Think before you cross the line
Find yourself another victim
Take cover this could last all night
I don’t want an explanation
You never gave me anything I wanted but I’m stuck in the cycle with you
Fuck your revelation and fuck your weak conviction
I am finally exposing the truth
Lost inside of excuses
Lost inside of it
Ring me out (I never saw this coming)
Giving up (I think I’ve had enough)
worry now (I never saw this coming)
Had enough (oh god)
I’m lost in the eye of the user
God can anybody hear me
God can anybody hear me now
