Act of Depression cover

Act of Depression

Underoath · 1999

55 min · 8 tracks · metalcore

A raw blend of metalcore and post-hardcore that channels emotional intensity through heavy riffs and haunting melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Heart of Stone — This track opens the album with powerful instrumentation and sets a tone of desperation that permeates the entire work. Its blend of melodic and aggressive elements showcases Underoath's signature style.
  • →
    Act of Depression — The title track encapsulates the album’s overarching themes of despair and struggle, featuring complex time signatures and emotional vocal performances that highlight the band's technical prowess.
  • →
    Spirit of a Living God — Closing the album, this track shifts to a more reflective tone, showcasing an ethereal quality that contrasts with earlier aggression while deepening the spiritual exploration present throughout.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

42 /100
Lowland
Higher than 1% of albums we've rated

The album showcases raw energy and emotional contrasts but lacks the polish of later works.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a heavy guitar riff that sets a relentless pace, maintaining intensity through the first four tracks.
  • Vocals alternate between melodic singing and aggressive screams, creating a dynamic contrast throughout the record.
  • The final track features an extended silence before a hidden outro, which alters the listener's expectation of closure.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
5/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
4/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady emotional progression throughout
  • immersive journey of catharsis
  • reflective moments of vulnerability
  • intense focus on raw feelings

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification tracks
  • seek upbeat, energetic vibes

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1999, Act of Depression is Underoath's debut album, coming at a formative stage when they were still establishing their identity in the Christian metal scene. This record set the foundation for their evolution into a prominent force within the genre as they gained traction leading to their subsequent releases.
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Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Heart of Stone 5:49
  • 2 A Love So Pure 10:39
  • 3 Burden in Your Hands 6:27
  • 4 Innocence Stolen 6:26
  • 5 Act of Depression 10:23
  • 6 Watch Me Die 6:56
  • 16 [silence] 0:06
  • 17 Spirit of a Living God 9:07

What to play next

Cries of the Past
Listen next

Cries of the Past

2000
Play Your Old Stuff
Go back to

Play Your Old Stuff
Full Underoath discography Where to start with Underoath Artists like Underoath
Christian metal metalcore post-hardcore

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata