AUGUST BURNS RED are pleased to unveil their new video for standout track “Fault Line” - the first video from their celebrated new album, Rescue & Restore, through VEVO.
Directed by Daniel Davison, the explosive video comes on the heels of last week’s #9 debut of Rescue & Restore on the Billboard 200 – the highest chart position of AUGUST BURNS RED’s career.
Almost exactly two years since the release of their breakout album, Leveler, AUGUST BURNS RED are set to return with their highly anticipated fifth album entitled Rescue & Restore, available via Solid State Records on June 25th
The album, described by guitarist and principal songwriter JB Brubaker as the band’s “most ambitious album yet,” turns a critical eye to the oft-maligned genre of metalcore, leading by example to prove that bands can still find exciting new ways to expand the genre.
Following two monstrous years that saw AUGUST BURNS RED release multiple albums – 2011’s Leveler and 2012’s holiday album, Sleddin’ Hill – headline tours of North and South America, Europe, Japan, Australia and more, the Manheim, PA-based quintet is back at it. Beginning next week the band will hit the studio to start recording their fifth full-length album (holiday releases notwithstanding), due out later this year.
“2012 turned out to be quite intense for us from a touring standpoint,” says guitarist JB Brubaker. “We did more traveling than we had ever previously done in our career and after three straight months on the road to end the year I think we were all ready to come home and shift into writing/recording mode. Now that the writing is complete we are all itching to get started with the actual tracking.”
“This new record will push the boundaries of our genre more than we ever have before,” Brubaker continues excitedly. “We set out to write a record where every song stands out from the last. There is a lot of ground covered here and a ton of meat to this album. It’s full of odd metered rhythms and breakdowns, unexpected twists and turns, and some of our most technical riffing to date. Each of us have parts that make our heads spin and we have had to practice like crazy to get some of this stuff together. I know we always say this, but this will be our most ambitious album yet.”
Stream one of August Burns Red's new holiday songs entitled “Flurries” on Soundcloud.
After releasing an amped-up cover of a holiday classic in each of the past four years, genre giants AUGUST BURNS RED are officially announcing details on their oft-rumored full-length Christmas album: August Burns Red presents: Sleddin’ Hill, A Holiday Album.
The 13-track release features not only fresh takes on classics such as “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland” and even “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer,” but also original compositions that are destined to become future headbanging holiday favorites. The album also compiles remixed and remastered versions of the band’s previous holiday hits, like “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Little Drummer Boy.” Rounding out the collection is an updated version of the band’s rendition of “Carol of the Bells,” heard in Frank Miller’s (300, Sin City) movie The Spirit and Seth MacFarlane’s (Family Guy) American Dad.
“The idea of doing a full Christmas album has been floating around in the ABR camp for a few years now, but what always held us back was finding the time and energy to write an additional full-length in between touring and writing our regular records,” explains guitarist and principle songwriter JB Brubaker. “After finishing [2011’s] Leveler I finally felt inspired enough to tackle the Christmas album idea.”
After working with some of the biggest producers in the genre, the band chose to come home and work at Lancaster’s Atrium Audio with longtime friends Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland on Sleddin’ Hill, which finds ABR at its most ambitious and creative. It’s a work that enhances the guitar and drum mastery AUGUST BURNS RED are known for by adding unexpected elements such as banjo, violin, cello, piano and even horns.
“Because this was such a different type of album, I was able to get a little more wild with my influences,” confesses Brubaker. “There’s a section inspired by one of my favorite bands, BEIRUT. There’s also guitar solo that is an ode to Blue Album-era WEEZER, and my punk roots are evident all over the album.”
“Writing metal versions of Christmas songs has always been a challenge for me because the songs are driven by simple vocal melodies with the only variety in the lyrics. We decided to take the songs and go the instrumental route - the main melodies are there, but this record has a lot more to it then that,” he adds. “The songs have sections of music that flow in and out of the classic melodies we’ve all come to recognize. There is a lot of substance in these songs- more than you’d find in your typical cover.”
On whether Sleddin’ Hill is destined to become a novelty album or a key part of the band’s discography, Brubaker has the final word: “To some, the concept of a metal Christmas album may come off as silly and a waste of time, but I think this record has plenty of original ABR substance to interest even the biggest Scrooges out there.”
Track Listing for August Burns Red presents: Sleddin’ Hill, A Holiday Album:1. Flurries2. Frosty the Snowman3. Sleigh Ride4. God Rest Ye’ Merry Gentlemen5. Jingle Bells6. Oh Holy Night7. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer8. Sleddin’ Hill9. Little Drummer Boy10. Winter Wonderland11. O Come, O Come Emmanuel12. Carol of the Bells (2012)13. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
