I’m not all too keen on this whole straightforward metalcore thing that’s going on now where it’s all Christian bands that sound pretty much exactly like August Burns Red. It’s not that I particularly hate any of it, but it doesn’t necessarily speak to me most of the time. I like some ABR and Oh, Sleeper, but I could live without bands like Texas in July and Miss May I. I, The Breather are sort of in between. I sort of enjoy them while they’re playing, but I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to listen to them. Just my two cents, I guess.
I, The Breather are streaming a new song called ‘Bruised & Broken,‘ above. It’s completely inoffensive metalcore for fans of pretty much any other band I listed above. I know a lot of people out there are excited about their new record, but I’m more fixated on the new Veil of Maya artwork they slipped into the video still.
I, The Breather’s upcoming record Truth and Purpose is due out February 28th on Sumerian Records. You know what also comes out that day on Sumerian? The new Veil of Maya album Eclipse and the debut T.R.A.M. record. There’s something for everyone that day!
Everyone’s getting into the Christmas spirit and doing metally renditions of classic Christmas songs. This year so far, we’ve had Austrian Death Machine, Becoming the Archetype, and August Burns Red release some holiday cheer in their own respective styles. Now you can add Drewsif Stalin and Carthage to your Christmas party mix.
Drewsif Stalin just released a medley of Christmas music titled “Black Christmas”, which includes “Silent Night” and “Joy To The World.” This track features Drew’s kickass singing voice, which I’m glad we’re starting to hear more of! Listen to that below:
Carthage, Tre Watson‘s band, also released a cover of “Mary Did You Know” in their own style. It’s definitely a risky cover to make because it’s supposed to be this very haunting song, but as far as stylistic interpretations go, Carthage did a pretty good job with it! Bonus points for the flamenco intro.
I’ve been a little lazy the last couple of days, as I’ve been recording a Let’s Play series for YouTube viewing. In that time, there’s apparently been a handful of music videos to hit the net. Here’s a rapid-fire breakdown of these new sexy videos. LETS HIT IT.
After The Burial – Pendulum
You know, “Pendulum” is probably one of my favorite tracks from After The Burial’s latest album In Dreams, if not only for it’s super catchiness. The video was delayed for quite a while due to some legal issues with the Catholic school the video was filmed at due to its perceived raunchiness. It’s not all that out there (there’s a split second of girl-on-girl tongue), but it’s not all that crazy. I see more raunchy action on Comedy Central, but whatever.
After The Burial – Your Troubles Will Cease And Fortune Will Smile Upon You
Oh hey, another After The Burial video. I was always a fan of fretboard closeup shots for some reason, so there’s plenty of that. The performance shots are similar in vein to Animals as Leaders‘ video for “CAFO,” but there’s a story interspersed throughout. Video’s certainly easy to watch, and the music’s not that bad at all. After The Burial’s In Dreams is out now on Sumerian Records. It’s pretty spiffy.
After Jimmy asked you readers a tough question last week, I thought I’d ask an even tougher one on this day of freedom and tomfoolery: what are your favorite breakdowns?
The breakdown is a simple concept to grasp, but difficult to use it to good effect to a song. No, we aren’t talking about the herp-derp breakdowns every deathcore band and they’re dogs do, we’re talking breakdowns that are crucial to the development and fullness of a piece. My all time favorite breakdown is:
Elitist – Caves (2:24 – 2:37)
This breakdown is very unique. The whole breakdown is accompanied by an arpeggiated chord, giving the breakdown the element of size. Also, the rhythmic structure in these eight bars is complex. The first bar goes through relative unassuming, thinking it’s another one of those standard breakdowns, but the second bar comes in with a rather unique rhythm, throwing a triplet in on beat 3, while not ending the bar with another triplet. Instead, it throws straight sixteenths at you, while removing the 3 note in the sixteenth. This gives the illusion that it is in an odd time signature – but it is actually all in straight 4/4. It’s really that bar that makes it for me. The guitarist do some neat breakdown riffing by throwing bends in the mix to give it added originality. The drummer perfectly accompanies the band with machine-like precision. The band does a great job at using triplets to change the feel of the breakdown. A lot of technical jargon there, but in short it’s just plain fun to hear and to comprehend what is going on, and it’s just full of energy.
So yeah, hit me with your favorite breakdowns, and after the jump, I have a few more for you.
01. Empire
02. Internal Cannon
03. Divisions
04. Cutting the Ties
05. Pangaea
06. Carpe Diem
07. 40 Nights
08. Salt and Light
09. Poor Millionaire
10. 1-16-2011
11. Boys of Fall
12. Leveler
[06/21/11]
[Solid State Records]
No matter which side of the breakdown argument you fall on, August Burns Red arguably bring more to the table than most run of the mill ‘–core’ bands. However, when a band’s popularity climbs to such a great height in such a small span of time, loyal fans begin to have concerns about the direction that new material will take. In this case, fans of the technical metalcore delivered by this five-piece Pennsylvanian band have nothing to worry about.
Too many easy jokes; not enough care. To be honest I’m getting a little bored with these August Burns Red press releases. This is the fourth new track in as many weeks, but it’s a slow day and we haven’t got anything else scheduled yet. It requires minimum effort, so ‘meh’.
New song. “Poor Millionaire“. Probably some clever lyrics about money not bringing happiness. Catch the others here if you missed them.
Just a quick one. August Burns Red have made another new track from their forthcoming album Leveller available for streaming on that Tube of You. This is on top of “Empire” and “Internal Cannon“, which I’ve compiled below! Aren’t I nice?
Don’t forget that Leveller is out on June 21st through Solid State Records.
A new August Burns Red track was released a few days ago, and the fact that I forgot to notice this new development is a travesty. This track, entitled “Internal Cannon”, shows a softer, experimental side to ABR, with two clean guitar sections, including a clean guitar solo in one, and both includes some very unique drums from Matt Greiner. The song also continues the trend with providing anthemic parts to the song. Check the middle of the part for some “stand up and scream with them”. Also, I think that the guitar solo is awesome and takes the song to a new height.
Personally, from what I’ve heard, I think Leveler will definitely become a new peak of August Burns Red career, and I can’t wait to hear it. Luckily, there isn’t much longer to wait, as the record comes out June 20th on Solid State Records.
You can hear the other released tune, “Empire“, below!
01. Exordium
02. Vacillation
03. Orison
04. Transcend
05. Imminent War
06. Perpetual Ruin
07. The Awakening
08. The Awakening: Dissimulation
09. The Awakening: The Veil, Lifted
10. Vile Reflections
11. Derision
[04/26/11]
[Facedown Records]
For those who aren’t familiar with them, Hope for the Dying (also referred to as HFTD) is an American christian metal band from Jonesboro, Illinois. Their brand of metalcore is extremely unique, taking the best of August Burns Red, The Human Abstract, etc. and expressing it with the addition of classical orchestrations. However, as straightforward as I have made their sound, there is still numerous other disparate influences that are hard to pinpoint, making their sound definitive. Dissimulation is HFTD’s second record and debut under Facedown Records.
Before I even begin to talk about this record, it should be known that this record must be tackled in its entirety if you are listening to it for the first time. This record flows from track to track seamlessly, and even flows from the end of the album to the beginning of the album, which is an awesome touch. Multiple listens are also a must, since it’s extremely nuanced, which shows the care HFTD put into Dissimulation.
Matt Greiner, drummer of August Burns Red and one of the best drummers in metal and hard rock today (and also ignores the i before e rule), has proved once again that he will not stop. Just watch this video of him tracking drums to a song called ‘Divisions‘ off the upcoming record Leveller.
If you are a drummer like me, you’re picking up your jaw from the floor while simultaneously trying to pick up brain pieces across the wall. Indeed, Leveller, which comes out June 21st on Solid State Records, is going to pull down your brain pants and blow your mind.
August Burns Red
Hope For The Dying
