"[14][better source needed] Shortly afterwards Clash Magazine featured the track "Operated On" in their 'Ones to Watch' CD compilation,[15] describing the band's sound as "melodic dark pop" and likening their music to Radiohead and Fischerspooner.
[16][better source needed] The album Violence & Birdsong was released on Relentless Records in July 2006,[17] and was described by The Guardian as "dance-rock...a nocturnal rendezvous between Muse and Massive Attack.
[19] The majority of the album was performed by Chris Gordon, Dave McClean and Craig Grant, with additional drums contributed by Peter Kelly, guitar by Paul Westwater and vocals by guests including Orlaith Prenderghast, a local singer who appears on "Opposite Direction".
[21][better source needed] Reviews from the Guardian[22] and The Sunday Times[23] likened the album's sound favourably to contemporaries like Sigur Rós, Massive Attack and Radiohead.
Time Out described it as "glacial, epic pop melodies with dark electro detail"[1][better source needed] Starting in 2005 the band had a string of success with tracks being used in TV soundtracks, such as Supernatural.
A follow-up album called 'The Anti-Fire'[32] was written and recording had started in LA with Nine Inch Nails producer Atticus Ross in 2008,[33] but then encountered delays due to upheaval in the label at the time.
[35] In July 2020 Union of Knives announced via their social media channels that they would be reactivating, with a new line up of Chris Gordon, Anthony Thomaz and Peter Kelly returning on drums.