Review Summary: Evolution at its very best
Full disclosure, I haven’t been as much a fan of their albums as much as I have been their songs. Their albums, to me, have sometimes felt forced, out of place, and rugged. While there were some incredibly good songs such as Pangea and Echoes to name a few, some of the songs they experimented in sounded as if they played something random on their instruments and simply recorded it. With Found in Far Away Places, August Burns Red, have truly nailed down the signature style they have been trying to perfect since Leveler
This album represents true, pure evolution for August Burns Red. Back up 7 years, and there’s no chance that this Pennsylvania Quintet could have written this album. Every riff, every instrumental interlude is strategically placed to only complement the song. In the past, those interludes mostly halted the ferocity of the song only to be picked up back later. It created an awkward pause for the listener. In Martyrs the interlude serves as the perfect preface to a breathtaking ending. But, although most of the interludes are perfectly placed, the band still falls into the trap of placing one where it’s unneeded or awkward.
August Burns Red has never been the band to experiment with clean vocals often. This time around, bringing Jeremy McKinnon couldn’t have turned out better. While his vocals certainly fit the pop-punk genre better, August Burns Red creates the perfect atmosphere in Ghosts for his voice to soar, especially with Jake Luhrs screaming along with him. Luhrs’ vocals are as good as ever. His low growls along with his screeches do nothing but help the songs in every aspect. Dustin Davidson’s backup vocals also return. To be honest, his vocals are sometimes grating to the ears, but to say he is without his moments in this album would be a bold-faced lie.
Along with clean vocals, guitars have generally been tuned the same for every song, creating a sound that sometimes became stale during casual listens. On Found in Far Away Places Jb Brubaker and Brent Rambler move outside their comfort zone and tune lower, creating an overall darker atmosphere while still allowing the songs to create their own unique experience for the listener rather than simply being heavy. It’s a common pitfall many young bands fall into, but veteran August Burns Red creatively uses it sparingly and only to enhance the song.
But even then, another highlight of this album is the lead guitar. In the past, this band has been a machine for metalcore riffs, but sometimes abstaining from any solos or more impressive riffwork (they had been improving, however). Although the solo in Everlasting Ending is a guest solo, it was an impeccable addition to an already great song. The ability for August Burns Red to create a riff that is heavy while also having a beautiful, melodic lead playing underneath it so consistently differentiated this album from their others. While Brubaker and Rambler pump out machines like a factory, the riffs in this album are more cohesive and create a very linear listen.
So much can be said about how great Matt Greiner is but I must point out that for many riffs, the relationship between the drum beat and the guitar can give songs a completely different feel. His drum work shines throughout the whole album, but even more so during the instrumental fills. So many bands have subpar drummers, but Greiner’s knowledge of the instrument shows as he knows exactly how to give any given riff the feel necessary to take it to the next level.
In conclusion, August Burns Red has truly risen above their peers. Metalcore has seen better days, but August Burns Red won’t let it die without leaving their mark and with this album they have truly done so.
