AUGUST BURNS RED are pleased to unveil their new video for standout track “Fault Line” - the first video from their celebrated new album, Rescue & Restore, through VEVO.
Directed by Daniel Davison, the explosive video comes on the heels of last week’s #9 debut of Rescue & Restore on the Billboard 200 – the highest chart position of AUGUST BURNS RED’s career.
With every release, August Burns Red seems to expand their sound and individually the members push themselves to a new highs. “Rescue & Restore” finally is the push that takes the band from a familiar sound to a fresh new take on a trademark style.
The band’s previous LP record “Leveler” showed immense creativity growth in songs such as “Internal Cannon” and “Carpe Diem”. “Rescue & Restore” is an album that comes full circle with the band’s style, creativity, talent, and shows how much the band has grown since their early days in 2005. Every aspect of this album has been done bigger and better than ever before.
The first song, titled “Provision”, is probably one of the heaviest things ABR has ever written. Guitarists JB Brubaker and Brent Rambler are at the top of their game with this album, not only with their skill, but also with their creativity as musicians. Instead of going with drop C tuning and chugging away for an entire album, the band has switched up the key of most songs to add variety. It was also very appealing to hear Dustin’s bass tone more audible in this record. Personally, it makes me wish that I could hear more of his bass in previous records because he did a fantastic job on this one. The reoccurring theme I noticed with “Rescue & Restore” is the usage of clean guitars in almost every song, and Matt Greiner’s downplaying on the drums to slow the mood down. This by no means makes ABR less heavy, rather it demonstrates ABR’s expansive talent and creativity with their music.
Jake Luhrs absolutely destroyed my expectations for how he would perform on this record. “Leveler” was an honest and heartfelt record (more so than their previous albums) so I was expecting something similar to that. Some of these songs are my favorite ABR has ever done simply because the vocals are THAT phenomenal. Luhrs does not hold back what so ever. His talent and creativity with his vocal patterns has grown so much since “Leveler” and his lyrics are honest and inspiring. His vocal range has grown (once again) and I believe this album is his most passionate one to date. Faith is still very much a huge part of what August Burns Red stands for and lyrically the messages behind each song are extremely uplifting and encouraging to all. These 11 songs will absolutely kick your butt and have you hooked for a long time.
August Burns Red is moving forward with their music. This isn’t just metal anymore; this is art. This album has a distinct identity and feels more like “music” rather than metal. Some of these songs are the heaviest ABR has ever done, some are the most melodic, some are the lightest, but each song sticks to the deep roots of August Burns Red’s true original style. “Rescue & Restore” is August Burns Red’s best album to date.
9/10
- Ryan
Almost exactly two years since the release of their breakout album, Leveler, AUGUST BURNS RED are set to return with their highly anticipated fifth album entitled Rescue & Restore, available via Solid State Records on June 25th
The album, described by guitarist and principal songwriter JB Brubaker as the band’s “most ambitious album yet,” turns a critical eye to the oft-maligned genre of metalcore, leading by example to prove that bands can still find exciting new ways to expand the genre.
Following two monstrous years that saw AUGUST BURNS RED release multiple albums – 2011’s Leveler and 2012’s holiday album, Sleddin’ Hill – headline tours of North and South America, Europe, Japan, Australia and more, the Manheim, PA-based quintet is back at it. Beginning next week the band will hit the studio to start recording their fifth full-length album (holiday releases notwithstanding), due out later this year.
“2012 turned out to be quite intense for us from a touring standpoint,” says guitarist JB Brubaker. “We did more traveling than we had ever previously done in our career and after three straight months on the road to end the year I think we were all ready to come home and shift into writing/recording mode. Now that the writing is complete we are all itching to get started with the actual tracking.”
“This new record will push the boundaries of our genre more than we ever have before,” Brubaker continues excitedly. “We set out to write a record where every song stands out from the last. There is a lot of ground covered here and a ton of meat to this album. It’s full of odd metered rhythms and breakdowns, unexpected twists and turns, and some of our most technical riffing to date. Each of us have parts that make our heads spin and we have had to practice like crazy to get some of this stuff together. I know we always say this, but this will be our most ambitious album yet.”
Stream one of August Burns Red's new holiday songs entitled “Flurries” on Soundcloud.
After releasing an amped-up cover of a holiday classic in each of the past four years, genre giants AUGUST BURNS RED are officially announcing details on their oft-rumored full-length Christmas album: August Burns Red presents: Sleddin’ Hill, A Holiday Album.
The 13-track release features not only fresh takes on classics such as “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland” and even “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer,” but also original compositions that are destined to become future headbanging holiday favorites. The album also compiles remixed and remastered versions of the band’s previous holiday hits, like “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Little Drummer Boy.” Rounding out the collection is an updated version of the band’s rendition of “Carol of the Bells,” heard in Frank Miller’s (300, Sin City) movie The Spirit and Seth MacFarlane’s (Family Guy) American Dad.
“The idea of doing a full Christmas album has been floating around in the ABR camp for a few years now, but what always held us back was finding the time and energy to write an additional full-length in between touring and writing our regular records,” explains guitarist and principle songwriter JB Brubaker. “After finishing [2011’s] Leveler I finally felt inspired enough to tackle the Christmas album idea.”
After working with some of the biggest producers in the genre, the band chose to come home and work at Lancaster’s Atrium Audio with longtime friends Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland on Sleddin’ Hill, which finds ABR at its most ambitious and creative. It’s a work that enhances the guitar and drum mastery AUGUST BURNS RED are known for by adding unexpected elements such as banjo, violin, cello, piano and even horns.
“Because this was such a different type of album, I was able to get a little more wild with my influences,” confesses Brubaker. “There’s a section inspired by one of my favorite bands, BEIRUT. There’s also guitar solo that is an ode to Blue Album-era WEEZER, and my punk roots are evident all over the album.”
“Writing metal versions of Christmas songs has always been a challenge for me because the songs are driven by simple vocal melodies with the only variety in the lyrics. We decided to take the songs and go the instrumental route - the main melodies are there, but this record has a lot more to it then that,” he adds. “The songs have sections of music that flow in and out of the classic melodies we’ve all come to recognize. There is a lot of substance in these songs- more than you’d find in your typical cover.”
On whether Sleddin’ Hill is destined to become a novelty album or a key part of the band’s discography, Brubaker has the final word: “To some, the concept of a metal Christmas album may come off as silly and a waste of time, but I think this record has plenty of original ABR substance to interest even the biggest Scrooges out there.”
Track Listing for August Burns Red presents: Sleddin’ Hill, A Holiday Album:1. Flurries2. Frosty the Snowman3. Sleigh Ride4. God Rest Ye’ Merry Gentlemen5. Jingle Bells6. Oh Holy Night7. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer8. Sleddin’ Hill9. Little Drummer Boy10. Winter Wonderland11. O Come, O Come Emmanuel12. Carol of the Bells (2012)13. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
