album They're Only Chasing Safety in June 2004 through Solid State Records. By November 2004, the band had started writing new material for their next album. In April 2005, Underoath had around six new songs, and were performing one of them live around this time. Around this time, the band expressed a desire to work with another producer other than James Wisner, who had worked on their preceding three albums. Alongside this, they mentioned that the new songs they had were heavier than their past work and were influenced by the work of Codeseven. In September 2005, they announced that they would be recording their next album in early 2006. Despite being courted by major labels for a few months, they opted to sign with Solid State's parent company Tooth & Nail Records. Drummer Aaron Gillespie said they had better distribution, while vocalist Spencer Chamberlain said that both Solid State and Tooth & Nail shared the same mailing list. By this point, They're Only Chasing Safety had sold close to 500,000 copies in the United States, selling at a rate of 4,500 per week. Underoath closed out 2005 playing a four-date tour dubbed Come & Live; profits from each show benefitted a separate charity. The shows led into the recording sessions for the band's next album. Define the Great Line was recorded at Zing Recording Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts, and Glow in the Dark, Atlanta, Georgia, with Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage, Matt Goldman and the band serving as producers. Dutkiewicz had seen the band live before, and was aware of the sound they were attempting to get. They entered the studios with 19 songs written, which they planned to pare down to 10 or 11. Dutkiewicz pushed the band to toy with different delay and effects pedals. Sessions began in January 2006 and wrapped up two months later in March 2006. Chris Lord-Alge, with assistance from Keith Armstrong, mixed the recordings at Resonate Music in Burbank, California, before the album was mastered by Tom Baker at Precision Mastering in Los Angeles, California. Composition and lyrics Musical style While most commonly cited as metalcore and emo, the sound of Define the Great Line has also been tagged as Christian metal, post-metal and post-hardcore. Indie Vision Music Brandon J. noted influences Beloved, the Chariot and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, while Chamberlain highlighted At the Drive-In and Glassjaw. The album's