Metalcore band August Burns Red's latest album is something I would definitely keep on replay during Christmas and even otherwise. This is their fifth studio album and the very first instrumental album which focuses entirely on a holiday theme! It's absolutely brilliant and from the start to the end, you actually get the feel and the visuals of mucking around in the snow, eating fruit cake and picturing The Claus in all his red and bearded glory. Everything about this album emanates pure, innocent, Christmas fun blended with the sheer awesomeness of heavy sounds.
Versatility is a key, and very prominent feature of this album as the music in each tracks varies from fast-paced, to progressive, soft and melodic, thrilling with some catchy punk-sounding riffs and solos. Initially, when you start listening to the album which begins with "Flurries", traditional christmas bells jingling away at a good pace with some mad drum work and melodic guitar riffs. And what's an ABR track without their signature metal breakdowns? Of course, it's not as heavy or maddening as it is in their previous albums, but it is significant and well-placed and goes so well with the melodic christmassy tunes, especially in "Frosty The Snowman" along with the bells! I don't think I can really pick a favourite track out of this album because each one is brilliant in it's own way and they've really nailed every Christmas song and carol down to a tee. In fact, it helped me remember all the carols I learnt when I was a kid, but this time, I actually was more inclined toward it because of the heavier, metal feel to it with the shredding guitar solos and punk-ish breakdowns in the background.
What's adds that extra awesomeness to this album is how they've creatively merged a vareity of genres together resulting in something that cannot really be classified under one specific category. The piano places in some beautiful jazz elements like in "Flurries" and "Sleigh Ride". I love Sleigh Ride. It's an amazing track and very unpredictable. What starts off sounding very acoustic and soft transcends into fast paced punk rock tunes before changing back into a 1960's jazzy bit. Even now after listening to it so many times, it gets me, the way the piano is sandwiched in between the beginning and the end which sounds like a Ramones/Greenday influenced segment. Some tracks may seem much too heavy with the insane blast beats like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman". "Frosty The Snowman" is such a fun track though and actually makes you visualize a snowman with a beard cruising down a sled.
"Jingle Bells" also comes off as very unusual for ABR starting softly on acoustics and then the bells building up the pace to what ends in a christmas carol sounding perfectly matched to the likes of August Burns Red.
And the best part? However weird it may be to have an album by this band with no vocals, it's actually really pleasant! The only track featuring vocals is "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" which made me feel like a little girl again with all the rhyming and the shouting out " you will go down in historyyyy". The vocals aren't too significant though and play a subtle role but it's a fun song nonetheless. "Little Drummer Boy" , "Sleddin' Hill", and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" are also incredible songs and very extraordinary taking the usual style of ABR into consideration.
The pianos, the bells, banjo and fiddle along with the chugging breakdowns, riffs and the fancy drumming that overlaps with the softer parts really well, ABR have done well for themselves with this album! Who'd have thunk headbanging was possible to a christmas carol? Because that's what some of the tracks really make you want to get up and do. For any open-minded music lover, this is definitely an album that's worth more than one listen! It's cheery, heavy and everything Christmas-related! Check it out! ^_^ One of my favourite albums of 2012!
JAKE LUHRS I LOVE YOU.
No comments:
Post a Comment