No, it's not a rumor. Aaron Gillespie has parted ways with the Solid State/Tooth & Nail Records hardcore band Underoath. My heart is so torn! Aaron's been sort of a hero of mine since 2006, when I was just some "scene" kid living in Seattle, Washington. I feel as if Underoath has been a guiding light, leading the way with Aaron as the leader... so without Aaron, what will happen to Underoath?

Honestly, nobody knows for sure. We know that Underoath will go through MAJOR a sound, image, and message change. The same Underoath we see today, Grammy Nominations and Gold Certification and all, will morph into something current fans may or may not like. The only clue we have is that Aaron Gillespie will be replaced (and yes, I mean REPLACED) with someone who may be equal in talent but lack in credibility with fans since the band's creation back in 1997. All of the weight will land on frontman Spencer Chamberlin, the most "recent" addition to the crew. Spencer and Aaron wrote every song for the last two albums. Without Aaron, will he be ready to take on such a task?

The way I see it, fans of UO who are not Christian will not understand this split at all. When Dallas Taylor (now of Maylene and the Sons of Disaster) parted ways with back in 2003, we all knew it was because of his consistent drug addiction. However, Aaron's reasoning isn't as "black and white". He is parting ways simply because "that's where God is leading him". This reasoning may be lost in translation with the non-Christian fans, possibly viewed as an excuse or a hidden meaning.

My opinion is that I am quite torn. I will always love & support Aaron in anything he does (after all, he's my hero), but what is the right thing to do when my blood boils at the sight of the responses from other "fans" about this whole situation, making me feel uneasy and torn about Underoath's fate. One "fan" wrote: "Holy crap no more Aaron in underoath. I guess I'm done listening to them." THINGS LIKE THAT IRRITATE ME! How dare you say that you're done listening to a band because ONE person left! One guy doesn't make the band, that's the beauty of being called a band. (Not to mention, the person who wrote this is quite familiar with being in a band!) If fans cannot accept this "trade", what does the future hold for Underoath, my most favorite of all bands?

I'm not saying that Underoath is dead without Aaron or that Underoath is better off without Aaron.... What I am saying is: What expectations are we putting on this band (or any band, Christian or not) when the original founding member leave for a life they have chosen, whether WE (the outsiders) understand or not? So, cut it out, fans. Grow a pair, swallow the change, and continue. The sun is still out. You still have air in your lungs. Just BREATHE! And always support the bands you love. Always.