yeah exactly. i listened to thi sband casually in my teen years, so i am aware they do change in minor ways between albums. but now that its been a fair few years all their stuff sounds pretty much the same for me

Album Rating: 4.0

I think it’s hilarious people say “but leveler and R&R sound nothing alike” yet they get shitted on for everything sounding the same?



They stay true to their sound. They don’t change much but it’s enough to be new and fresh to me. Honestly it’s what I want from a band like this. The introduction of the eclectic stuff wasn’t tasteful to me it was gimmicky.

Album Rating: 3.0

I remember almost nothing from this album, even though I really liked R&R and parts of Leveler and FIFAP. Meh.

Album Rating: 2.5

Yea this album goes in one ear and out the other for the most part, but I like what I hear

Album Rating: 3.0

I'm probably biased, but after seeing these guys live (current phantom anthem tour) and getting the chance to meet them in person, my view of ABR's energy, work, and vision they infuse into their music really elevates the respect they deserve in my eyes.

Album Rating: 2.0

lol dude this band is about the riffs and the fuckin china symbol, the lyrics don't matter

Album Rating: 2.5

[2]

Album Rating: 3.0

Well there you go. Music is subjective, and I agree with you that the vast majority of listeners (including myself, initially) aren't putting emphasis on the lyrics. Also, subjectivity of music means you and I aren't required to evaluate every aspect of ABR to base our ratings on. So I'm not going to say you're wrong, that would be a waste of time. I'm just trying to point out lyrics are a different side to metal as a whole that doesn't get a lot of attention. Lyrics can serve to bolster (or lower) a score, but I don't think enough of us metal-heads step back to look at the bigger picture.

Album Rating: 2.0

When a band has great lyrics they stand out, you don't have to dig for them



When I listen to Death I pay attention to the lyrics because they stand out, and they're great



August Burns Red's lyrics do nothing for me, I process them once and then I ignore them. A lot of it more sounds cool than actually means anything like OPEN YOUR CLOSED MIND CLOSE YOUR OPEN MOUTH it sounds cool, but it's such a like first year college student weed haze piece of philosophy I tune it out

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

It's pretty basic yeah, but I always found them empowering because there's enough conviction behind them ya know?

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Maybe I enjoy his fry screams???

Crazy thought, enjoying music.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

You're right, they would be better if he was Islamic.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Im assuming this is a topic I do not want to delve into with you.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I have no problem with individual people but as a whole it's a flawed religion and the way things are in the Middle East so as a whole I'm not too keen on it.

Album Rating: 2.5

Yo let's not

Album Rating: 3.0

"like first year college student weed haze piece of philosophy I tune it out"

That's a pretty strong statement, I'd be interested to hear your explanation.

As you pointed out, "it sounds cool, but doesn't mean anything". So vocals in metal are comparable to jazz scat or what? I feel like at some point, we have to acknowledge that long poetic prose and fancy shit isn't going to work musically in the metal genre, both from a technical side and in the feeling of metal songs as a whole. I don't expect homeboy to get up there and belt out Shakespeare to down-tuned riffs and china clangs.

Album Rating: 4.0

This album is really good. Like, REALLY fucking good, y'all are jaded motherfuckers. The comments saying shit like 'I can't remember a single song' wtf... Jesus, killing me here.

Album Rating: 2.5

Nigga calm down, I said most of it goes in one ear and out the other but it's still great

Album Rating: 4.0

that doesn't help

Album Rating: 2.5

Not my fault that they went the pretentious proggy route, instead of the genuine sound they had on R&R