August Burns Red - Constellations
Rating
RIYL
Misery SignalsUnearth
All That Remains
Release Date
07/14/2009
Label
Solid StateTracklist
1. Thirty And Seven2. Existence
3. Ocean Of Apathy
4. White Washed
5. Marianas Trench
6. The Escape Artist
7. Indonesia
8. Paradox
9. Meridian
10. Rationalist
11. Meddler
12. Crusades
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Besides the new Dredg album, the new August Burns Red album is one of the most anticipated releases of the year here at Decoy. Reviewers had to almost fight to review it, but no matter who ended up reviewing it would have come to the same conclusion - Constellations makes Messengers (a Decoy favourite) look silly.
The changes that August Burns Red have gone through since 2007 are not surprising. Die-hard fans needn't worry - the typical ABRisms are still there, just in less quantity to make room for the new stuff. What does that mean? Well, the heavy breakdowns that have become a signature part of the quintet's sound are still as crushing as ever, but instead of having two or three in a song on their new effort, there is usually only one. But what they have sacrificed in quantity, they more than make up for in quality. The breakdowns are better than ever, and often feature intricate guitar leads in addition to the pounding rhythms. Additionally, they have entirely new elements to their sound. There is sweep picking on tracks like "Indonesia" (which Between the Buried and Me's Tommy Roger lends his vocal cords too) and the Dragonforce influenced part of "Thirty and Seven", and there is the inclusion of a piano on one of the album's highlights, "The Escape Artist".
The two tracks release online (and first two tracks of the album), "Existence" and the previously mentioned "Thirty and Seven", are actually two of the weaker tracks on the album - good news if you were disappointed by that pair. Actually, the album's strongest track, "Ocean of Apathy", comes right after the introductory duo and eliminates any doubt they left in their wake. Oddly enough the song starts out fairly atypical for the band, but soon after breaks into the best riff the band has ever written. Seriously. That soon leads into the best breakdown the band has ever put to disc. Seriously. If this track is disappointing from an overall metal or hardcore perspective - not just an ABR fanboy - you best be getting your ears checked. The song ventures through a power metal tinged lead and an eerie clean guitar section, which is followed up with some more intricate guitar riffage.
Other notable tracks include the six-minute "Meridian", which is one of the quietest and least technical numbers the band has done, "Mariana's Trench", a track that is better than the band of the same name, and the closer "Crusades". Not surprisingly, all of these tracks feature some of that "new stuff" mentioned above. It is nice to see a band like August Burns Red experimenting, especially in a genre not known for being a hotbed for progression. Clearly ABR are a band that cares about maturing, something that few metalcore acts seem to acknowledge while releasing one virtually identical album after another. Ultimately, their desire to grow has produced their greatest album to date. Simply put, if you thought Messengers was good, you haven't heard anything yet.
--Logan Broger
Comments
Atascadero, CA
damn, wish i heard this already.
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Minnesota
Me too. I can't wait to get my hands on this.
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Lehigh Valley, PA
I may end up being the only person on this site that could give two craps about this band. For me, they are very mediocre and cliché and probably the most arrogant group of guys I have ever met.
Atascadero, CA
it took me awhile to actually get into these guys, maybe like a year or two after the last album. saw em live and that just did it for me, i think sometimes in bands like this you almost have to throw off an arrogant/cockyness so your performance is believable. i've only met one of the dudes but he was super chill.
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Lehigh Valley, PA
These dudes are from about 40 minutes away from where I live, so I am very familiar with their live show and their personalities. I agree with you on the whole "throwing off a cocky vibe while performing" thing, but leave that on the stage. I'm 99.9% sure that Mr.Fritz will agree with me on this subject matter as well seeing as though both of us (him a little more than I) have shared the stage with these guys several times.
Lehigh Valley, PA
OH...I will, however, give this album a chance just like I did with all their others. Just anticipating the fact that I will not like it.
Raleigh, NC
Great review, dude. I don't know how you turned this out in a matter of like, four hours. Haha.
Incredibly excited for this album.
Dubuque
From the moment I sent him it, he said he listened to it at least 4 times.
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PA
Wow, that was quick, Logan. Didn't you get this like last night? Hahaha.
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Raleigh, NC
Yeah, I bet. I did the same thing with Reign Supreme- I've just got to proof-read it and then it's off to you. Haha.
Coopersburg, PA
Well since you put me on the spot, haha...
I played quite a few shows with them before they got signed. I could never tell if they were arrogant or just didn't talk to other bands that much at the time, but either way, I never really liked them. I thought they were overhyped before they got signed, and I still don't think the hype is merited. Like you said, I think they're medicore metalcore or maybe a bit above average; I'll listen to them when I'm in the mood for something without singing in it but that's about it.
I'm digging the tunes on myspace though so I'm sure I'll give this a try when it comes out.
Toronto
I listened to it five times last night :/
what can I say, it's an easy listen to get through. There are certain CDs that are that easy to review. And while it is far from my favourite of all time or anything, they are a band that your opinion is set after one listen...let alone four.
Toronto
Also, I would like to mention that it is closer to a 4.25 thean say a 4.75. I feel with the half stars some ratings can be taken to mean more than what the reviewer wants.
Toronto
Triple posting...but there are some parts and riffs on this album that sound like Mis Sigs. Ironically they are the only two metalcore bands that really matter.
California
don't like this band much. i get what they're doing and why people like it but just don't find enjoyment in endless breakdowns.
Raleigh, NC
Well...
"instead of having two or three in a song on their new effort, there is usually only one."
Minnesota
Oh man, snoopy you need to crack open a can of...
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California
i'll wait til i hear it to pass that judgment, that's just one persons opinion and i may like this but since it hasn't leaked i'm still on the whole don't like this band much for the afformentioned reason.
San Jose, CA
I like this band, but don't hesitate to admit they're just for fun. They're definitely not mediocre, and they're miles ahead of 98 percent of modern day metalcore bands, but there's definitely nothing original to their music. For e.g., from what i've heard, this albums sounds like Messengers Pt.2 - endless recycling upon endless recycling. But since their sound is so huge and drums oh so thunderous, I find them enjoyable.
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Lehigh Valley, PA
"there's definitely nothing original to their music." = being mediocre
Toronto
I realize that this was review but I think you will find Constellations different from what you expected. I expected Messengers 2 as well, and in a sense it is...except half of the breakdowns are replace with slick riffing, catchy chord progressions, solos, and piano parts.
San Jose, CA
Not necessarily. I'm sure if you look through your list of favorite bands, you'll find a lot of them weren't the pioneers of their genres, but are still great.
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Holt, MI
When I read that little bit on Tommy Rogers doing guest vocals on Indonesia... Ruined a perfectly good pair of pants.
Need this liek now!
Infinitely Inwards
MMMM... want this very badly. As far as metalcore goes, ABR and Misery Signals are my favorites.
Ever Forthright - Ever Forthright
Fallujah - The Harvest Wombs
The New Law - The Fifty Year Storm
The Mars Volta - Noqtourniqet
Aborted - Global Flatline
Spawn of Possession - Incurso
Crippled Black Phoenix - (Mankind)The Crafty Ape
Dubuque
I'll send you it for $100.
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