Act of Depression

Act of Depression is the debut album by Underoath. Released July 4, 1999, through Takehold Records, the album was out of print for some time as there were only 2,000 copies originally released. Solid State reissued this album alongside Cries of the Past on August 20, 2013.[4]

Act of Depression
Studio album by Underoath
Released	July 4, 1999[1]
Recorded	March 1999
Genre	Christian metal metalcore death metal[2][3]
Length	55:55
Label	Takehold
Producer	James Paul Wisner
Underoath chronology
Act of Depression (1999) Cries of the Past (2000)
Reissue cover

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Alternative Press	[2]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[1]

Musical content and style

The style of this album has been described as hard hitting Christian metal, stylistically featuring a mix of metalcore and death metal.[4][2][5]

The hidden track "Spirit of a Living God" begins with commentary by lead guitarist Corey Steger speaking about his description about God, talks about receiving Jesus Christ and that he dedicates the album to those that were victims to rape, suicide and depression. It features drummer Aaron Gillespie in the background of the commentary singing along with an acoustic guitar. After 15 seconds of silence (3:47 - 4:02), the song itself starts; it is an acoustic rock song that features singing vocals by Gillespie.

Reception

Act of Depression has received mixed reviews since its release.

Casey Boland of Alternative Press stated that the album sounds "hopelessly dated" by modern standards and that the songs are "complicated seemingly for the sake of being complicated." Boland wrote the album has "flashes of brilliance" but "doesn’t have the creative legs to stand the test of time." Boland concluded his review by saying "Despite its many flaws, Act Of Depression is a curious look at the humble beginnings of an influential band."[2]

Opening track, "Heart of Stone", would later appear on the band's 2012 compilation Anthology: 1999–2013.

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Heart of Stone"	5:50
2.	"A Love So Pure"	10:39
3.	"Burden in Your Hands"	6:28
4.	"Innocence Stolen"	6:35
5.	"Act of Depression"	10:23
6.	"Watch Me Die"	6:56
7.	"Spirit of a Living God" (hidden track; sometimes credited as "Praise")	9:08
Total length:		55:55

Personnel

Underoath

• Dallas Taylor – lead vocals
• Corey Steger – guitar, additional vocals
• Octavio Fernandez – bass
• Aaron Gillespie – drums, backing vocals on "A Love So Pure", lead vocals on "Spirit of a Living God"

Production

• Produced by James Paul Wisner

References

1. Powless, Steven (November 29, 2011). "Underoath, 'Act of Depression' Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved December 31, 2011.
2. Boland, Casey (July 4, 1999). "Home Reviews Underoath - Act of Depression". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on August 29, 2010.
3. Gramlich, Chris (May 2002). "Underoath - The Changing of Times". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
4. "Instagram post by Solid State Records • Jul 26, 2013 at 9:13pm UTC". Instagram. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
5. Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. p. 976. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.