August Burns Red - Messengers
Rating
RIYL
All That RemainsNorma Jean
Still Remains
Unearth
Release Date
06/19/2007
Label
Solid StateTracklist
1. The Truth of a Liar2. Up Against the Ropes
3. Back Burner
4. The Blinding Light
5. Composure
6. Vital Signs
7. The Eleventh Hour
8. The Balance
9. Black Sheep
10. An American Dream
11. Redemption
Users Rating |
Your RatingCreate an account or log in to rate this album |
Recent Ratings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At the time August Burns Red released their Solid State Records debut, it was pretty challenging to find a heavier album full of powerful breakdowns and pungent vocals. Since then, bands have topped this feat, but it was only a matter of time before these Lancaster, Pennsylvania natives would come back and release their second full-length effort and blow people’s minds once again. That time has finally come and with the release of Messengers, August Burns Red delivers a refreshing, yet dubiously punishing, album that pushes everything they’ve previously done out the door and replaces it with what is most likely going to be 2007's heaviest album.
Messengers takes its stand with the blisteringly brutal “Truth of a Liar,” a vehement step into the most preeminent metal album that listeners will hear this year. The intensity only ensues as “Against the Ropes” follows it up with sheer excitement, offering a raucous and punishing experience before going into “Back Burner” where they borrow a couple traits from the almighty The Acacia Strain, bringing things to a whole new level near the end of the song while delivering one hell of a beating throughout the rest of it. With the introduction of Jake Luhrs on vocals, August Burns Red have regained a whole new sense of ferociousness as he is able to convey multiple vocal tones throughout the album, administering a whole new addition to the band's already monstrous sound.
Further into the album tracks like “Composure” clock in at astonishing tempos, extending a feverish hand to this already intense sonic experience. Afterwards, the band serves up “The Eleventh Hour.” This song had previously been available as an instrumental track on their Myspace page and after some tweaking, and some vocals, it ended up becoming one of the hardest hitting tracks the band has written. The dynamic, energy-driven sounds of August Burns Red pushes on while “The Balance,” “Black Sheep,” and “An American Dream” fail to calm things down and instead bring on the colossal breakdowns and melodic guitar parts that keep well within the confines of this young band's sound. The final track, “Redemption”, though not as comparatively long as Thrillseeker's epic finale, is a great closer and still mows you down in an onslaught of monstrous breakdowns.
Making the move from Adam Dutkiewicz to Tue Madsen (Extol, The Haunted, Becoming The Archetype) was a great idea. The production sounds ruthless and downright terrifying on this album. Messengers is a giant step forward for August Burns Red and as it stands, the album is easily the heaviest to be released this year. The tone is there, the intensity is unfaltering but not overdone, and Jake Luhrs has stepped up and more than filled the shoes of their previous vocalist Josh McManness. This is one hell of a sophomore effort.
--Matt Hebert
Comments
Spokane, Washington
Current Listenings:
7 Horns 7 Eyes - "Throes of Absolution"
Horse Feathers - "Cynic's New Year"
Andrew Bird - "Break It Yourself"
Sigur Ros - "Valtari"
Rocky Votolato - "Television of Saints"
Janus - "Nox Aeris"
Blues Traveler - "25"
Minneapolis, MN
Blog | Twitter | Flickr
Minnesota
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Green Brook, NJ
Pennsylvannia
because you take it, want it, need it forever
the more you take the effect gets better
which makes you need it to survive
killing yourself no need for knives
PA
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Berlin, Germany
northeast ar
Dubuque
Facebook / MySpace
View Chris Conlan's profile on LinkedIn
Spokane, Washington
solid state stuff doesn't usually leak till a few days before the release date.
Current Listenings:
7 Horns 7 Eyes - "Throes of Absolution"
Horse Feathers - "Cynic's New Year"
Andrew Bird - "Break It Yourself"
Sigur Ros - "Valtari"
Rocky Votolato - "Television of Saints"
Janus - "Nox Aeris"
Blues Traveler - "25"
Dubuque
Facebook / MySpace
View Chris Conlan's profile on LinkedIn
Spokane, Washington
chris, you are making this even more unbearable!
Current Listenings:
7 Horns 7 Eyes - "Throes of Absolution"
Horse Feathers - "Cynic's New Year"
Andrew Bird - "Break It Yourself"
Sigur Ros - "Valtari"
Rocky Votolato - "Television of Saints"
Janus - "Nox Aeris"
Blues Traveler - "25"
Dubuque
Facebook / MySpace
View Chris Conlan's profile on LinkedIn
PA
Great disc.
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Dubuque
Facebook / MySpace
View Chris Conlan's profile on LinkedIn
Cincinnasty, OH
Pennsylvannia
i dont think i can really wait anymore
because you take it, want it, need it forever
the more you take the effect gets better
which makes you need it to survive
killing yourself no need for knives
Bayside,NY
Minnesota
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Glasgow, Scotland
Minnesota
Every band that Victory has signed in the last couple of years (and will be signing in the next couple) should listen to this band religiously before they even attempt to write an album because this is how you do it.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
32210
Minnesota
Please explain.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
32210