Album Review: Found in Far Away Places by August Burns Red

Date: June 26, 2015

Unique and creative are two words that perfectly describe August Burns Red and their new album Found in Far Away Places backs that up. The band has never been shy from straying away from the metalcore genre and have featured everything from Latin flavor to ambient arrangements to give them their unique place in the metalcore scene. Over the years the band has explored more and more innovation and this album is the pinnacle so far of their creativity and willingness to explore new uncharted territory.

The first album the band has released on Fearless Records, Found in Far Away Places was produced by Carson Slovak who the band used on their last record Rescue &Restore, released in 2013. Rescue &Restore was a great release by the band but Found in Far Away Places is definitely a step above it.

This release is filled with the brutal, in your face vocals and slamming grooves that have been a staple for the band since the beginning and ambient, soft instrumental sections that create beautiful peaks and valleys in these songs. The musical capabilities of all of the members is incredible and there are numerous guitar licks and drum fills that will leave you wondering how it's possible to shred that well.

The styles and sounds that the band mix in to their brutal metalcore seems effortless and natural. ABR dabble with string arrangements on the album opener "Martyr," a Yiddish instrumental break in "Separating the Seas," some hillbilly hoedown on "Majoring in the Minors," an electronic intro on "Vanguard," and even surf rock on "Identity."

It is hard to pick a standout track on Found in Far Away Places because of all of the different sounds that are all so refreshing and amazing to hear. The track "Ghosts" is definitely a personal favorite, which features one of the heaviest breakdowns that I can bring to mind, a beautiful chilling intro, sick lead guitar, and a vocal feature by A Day to Remember's Jeremey McKinnon.

It would be incredible to see the band play the entire album live with all of the instrumentation and orchestration that went into this record. The big question is what surprises does the band have up their sleeves next?

4.5/5

Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are the sole opinion on the writers. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WSOU, Seton Hall University, nor any of its affiliates.

Posted in: Album Review, Metal, Out of Babylon, WSOU Exclusive