August Burns Red - Found In Far Away Places
August Burns Red was founded back in 2003 when the majority of the members were still attending high school. Twelve years later and the band has created their seventh studio album Found In Far Away Places.
The Wake opens the release and with an almighty thud and sets the scene for pretty much the entire record. By far the strongest element on this record is the guitar talent. Many records have a tendency to have the guitars in the background doing their thing and blending in with all the other sounds while vocals take the spotlight. However on this album, the spotlight goes to the guitarists as if it were not for this talented level of playing, this record would have been received in a whole new light.
Guitars are strong, sharp and stay on pace throughout all the songs. They dip into a quieter tone at intervals such as on Martyr where there is a softer centre inside this hard rock before music is quickly crumbled into another mass of hysteria. Melodic guitar riffs are in abundance and created in such a way that they pull you in and really have you appreciating what has been fashioned.
There are the occasional moments that sound different in comparison to the rest of the album. The centre of Separating The Seas and Majoring In The Minors takes things in a different direction with the lack of vocals and at times sounds more like a barn dance is about to begin while the closing tune Vanguard has an electronic tone as it starts up then quickly blending in with the harder moments. This electronic feel is short lived however as the track reverts into something a tad calmer before blasting all out.
Many metalcore vocalists tend to combine clean vocals and screams within their tunes, however this is not a technique that August Burns Red lead vocalist Jake Luhrs tends to lend to his singing. There is some spoken word elements included at times, but for the most part its screams all the way. Ghosts (Featuring Jeremy McKinnon) sees the only moments of “singing” compared to screaming lyrics. This tune takes united vocal chants to the top of the charts to create a sound that will be a masterpiece on the stage.
If you’re not a lover of screams and prefer a gentler vocal tone to your music then this may not be the release for you. However if it something with an inspiring sound you’re listening out for, then get an ear to these songs and the guitars will spring you out of your shoes!
August Burns Red is heading to the UK this autumn when they be supporting Asking Alexandria on tour and playing the Vans Warped Tour UK so there is plenty of opportunities this October to catch them at a music venue near you.