Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review



August Burns Red
Messengers



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 48 minutes, 11 seconds
Street Date: June 19, 2007


Erupting dramatically in popularity from a rookie act to a band now acknowledged by countless thousands of metal listeners everywhere as a favorite, August Burns Red's extraordinary Solid Sate debut Thrill Seeker almost immediately yielded them as a paradigm in the world of heavy music. And it is with such high esteem that they proudly release the next chapter of an already promising legacy.

Messengers sweetly satisfies the mounted expectations and even seems to somehow surpass the standard they set in 2005. Absolutely phenomenal musicianship from each section of the band makes them stand out among the many other artists present in their genre that aren't so elite. Every song brings an onslaught of tight, technical, engaging breakdowns intricately compounded together with impassioned yelling and screaming vocals in an unremittingly heavy and fast-paced sequence that often persists beyond four minutes in track length.

The easily interpretable lyrical content of the album is about as heavy as the music. "Back Burner" addresses the emptiness of worldliness, "smile because you've got it all, still that empty feeling won't go away." "Composure" is about pulling yourself together and moving on from what you can't change, "wave goodbye to the past / you've got your whole life to lead / it's time to gain some ground." "The Eleventh Hour" (the instrumental online Christamas 2006 demo redone with words) urges acceptance of the Truth, "you can turn off all of your senses, but in the end you'll see nothing stands between a man and his Maker." Practically every song provides substantial meaning and, oftentimes, spiritual wisdom. The record comes to a very powerful end with "Redemption," which is basically an honest prayer to God expressing praises, the need for grace, and the desire to be His servant.

This album is strikingly close to perfection, yet still there are a couple of slight gripes to be mentioned. The formulaic sound and feel of Messengers remains generally the same all the way through and is also almost identical to that of Thrill Seeker. So, although each song is a wonder by itself, the listener may find that after a time the music loses some impact, becomes repetitive, and possibly even insipid. It would be nice to hear some variation and experimentation with new sounds in the future. Also, the album art is pretty lame in comparison to the fascinating work in Thrill Seeker's booklet.

Apart from those minor complaints though, Messengers is a huge sophomore follow up that really establishes August Burns Red as a modern metal archetype with staying power. God bless them as they influence both secular and Christian venues with their music and message.

- Review date: 11/21/07, written by Tim Harro



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: Solid State Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 48 minutes, 11 seconds
. Street Date: June 19, 2007
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. The Truth Of A Liar
  2. Up Against The Ropes
  3. Back Burner
  4. The Blinding Light
  5. Composure
  6. Vital Signs
  7. The Eleventh Hour
  8. The Balance
  9. Black Sheep
  10. An American Dream
  11. Redemption
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
Hope Through Grace John 20 EP [Southwest Hardcore]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Kresher The Adventures of Sylas Spin EP (independent)
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
mewithoutYou Live (Vol. One) (independent)
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
nobigdyl. nobigdyl. Unplugged, Vol. 1 [indie tribe]
Josiah Queen The Prodigal (Deluxe Edition) (independent)
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Since The Death His Heart Hates - EP [The Charon Collective]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 1 [Thumper Punk Records]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 2 [Thumper Punk Records]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Paul Demer Let All Things Now Living - Single (independent)
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
ELEVATION RHYTHM At the Altar (Acoustic) - Single [Elevation]
Happy Powers Garden Song - Single (independent)
Sam Hauge Fame You Can Buy - Single (independent)
Hollyn & Weathrman Trees - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Memphis May Fire Shapeshifter - Single [Rise Records]
MŌRIAH Winter Wonderland - Single (independent)
The Myriad Time - Single (independent)
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Katy Nichole When I Fall - Single [Centricity]
Makenzie Phipps O Holy Night - Single (independent)
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
Ravenhill The Shakes - Single [Honey Gold Records]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Scapegoat Solace (feat. MajesticGhost) - Single (independent)
Seph Schlueter Stay (Gonna Be Okay) - Single [Provident]
Jordan Smith How Great Thou Art - Single [Gaither]
TKE3 Found (feat. Leya) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images