Author: Primož Novak
Artist: August Burns Red
Label: Fearless Records
Release: year_month
Length: 52:21
Rating: 4.2/5
August Burns Red, the American Christian metalcore crew, show no signs of fatigue. Just two years have passed, and the band is already putting out a new album. With »Found In Far Away Places« they’re trying to prove for the seventh time (if we count the Christmas album Sleddin’ Hill) that they’re at the peak of their powers and brimming with ideas. But is that really the case?
The band has shown its potential since the very beginning, but they really got noticed with the album Constellations (2009), which boasts solid production and a more modern feel. After that, ABR stuck to that recipe and tried to improve on it with every record, and while you can’t really talk about any big leaps forward, this is definitely a very consistent band. With their previous release, Rescue & Restore, the band switched producers and made it clear that they can make a solid album without the help of a bigger name, even though Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland didn’t convince quite like Jason Suecof did. Regardless, ABR once again decided to work with that duo.
Found In Far Away Places hits hard with aggressive riffs, a confident rhythm section, melodies and, of course, breakdowns. But soon after, the band shows it won’t stick to one and the same recipe. With experimentation, in the form of weaving in other genres, ABR break up the monotony of metalcore. Though this isn’t a typical metalcore outfit that leans on pretty choruses and cliché breakdowns. On Identity and Majoring In The Minors the band brings in a country section that feels original, but also a bit tongue-in-cheek. It’s a trick that caught on with Between the Buried and Me, except ABR don’t allow themselves such stark contrasts between genres. The band quickly returns to a heavily distorted or melodic part. In short, no overdoing it. ABR throw in quite a few calmer sections, which give the songs an interesting structure, but at the same time can drag on needlessly. For the wider crowd, ABR offer the song Ghosts, which features soaring vocals from Jeremy McKinnon of A Day to Remember. The song itself is about homeless people, so on top of the personal lyrics, the band also puts an emphasis on social criticism. Right through to the end, the album boasts varied songs that put melody front and center, which is a constant for the band. To avoid clichés, there’s also an emphasis on technicality: the breakdowns aren’t predictable, and the guitar riffs aren’t built on a couple of chords either.
The band members more than do their part. Guitarist JB Brubaker obviously stands out, giving ABR their unique stamp with his melodies and clean, mellow sections. Drummer Matt Greiner, meanwhile, with his style and rhythmic chops, makes sure ABR stand out from the average metalcore band.
Found in Far Away Places isn’t your typical commercially minded release. Sure, it boasts pleasant, catchy melodies, but at the same time the listener gets more complex music, unexpected twists and unusual breakdowns. The album is proof that metalcore isn’t completely played out, if it’s made by capable musicians (and producers).
Line-up
William Jacob Luhrs – vocals
JB Brubaker – lead guitar
Brent Rambler – rhythm guitar
Dustin Davidson – bass, vocals
Matt Greiner – drums
Production
Carson Slovak, Grant McFarland
Tracklist
1. The Wake
2. Martyr
3. Identity
4. Separating The Seas
5. Ghosts (Featuring Jeremy McKinnon)
6. Majoring In The Minors
7. Everlasting Ending
8. Broken Promises
9. Blackwood
10. Twenty-One Grams
11. Vanguard
