A plethora of metalcore bands generally stay the same route. Yes, they will improve. Their technical prowess will probably become more refined, but they don’t take many risks. Like throwing in a country western break in the middle of a full-speed-ahead rager of a metal track (“Majoring The Minors”), or a breakdown that sounds like something that could be straight out of Fiddler on the Roof (“Separating The Seas”).
Since day one, it’s always seemed to me that August Burns Red has seeked to break the traditional rules of modern metalcore, and that, my friends, is why I believe they have such longevity with little tire in this music scene. Every single time they come out with an album, they stick to their roots and know exactly what to give their fans, while always experimenting in some way. It’s a give-and-take process with the fans, really.
Found In Far Away Places, the Pennsylvania quintet’s seventh studio album, is their most daring yet, with more experimentation than on previous records. Opener “The Wake” kicks things off in traditional ABR-style, before “Martyr” introduces the listener to a song that’s more in the way of progressive rock. “Identity” shows off a surf-guitar interlude that would even make Dick Dale say, ‘damn.’ “Ghosts” features a perfect guest vocal spot from A Day To Remember’s Jeremy McKinnon, bringing in a rather rare component in ABR’s discography: vocal melody.
The adventure comes to a close with “Vanguard”, the only song on the album that incorporates light electronic elements throughout. The clean guitar fades out at the end of the track, closing August Burns Red’s most ambitious album in the most ambitious way. They are one of the main reasons this genre will always stay so fresh.
This has been another Shameless Promotion.