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Death Below

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Death Below
Studio album by
August Burns Red
ReleasedMarch 24, 2023 (2023-03-24)
GenreMetalcore, progressive metal[1]
Length53:45
LabelSharpTone
Producer
  • Carson Slovak
  • Grant McFarland
August Burns Red chronology
Guardians Sessions
(2021) 		Death Below
(2023)
Singles from Death Below
  1. "Ancestry"
    Released: November 3, 2022[2]
  2. "Backfire"
    Released: January 25, 2023[3]
  3. "Reckoning"
    Released: February 22, 2023[4]

Death Below is the tenth studio album by American metalcore band August Burns Red. It was released on March 24, 2023, through SharpTone Records. The album was produced by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland. It is the band's first studio release with the label.[5][6][7]

Background and promotion

[edit]

On March 25, 2022, August Burns Red announced that they had parted ways with Fearless Records and signed with SharpTone Records while also revealed that they are working on the studio album with a teaser newly shared online.[8] On November 1, the band unexpectedly announced the album itself and release date. At the same time, they also revealed the album cover and the track list.[9]

On November 3, the band released the first single "Ancestry" featuring Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage and its corresponding music video.[10] On January 25, 2023, the band unveiled the second single "Backfire" along with a music video.[11] On February 22, one month before the album release, the band published the third single "Reckoning" featuring Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath along with an accompanying music video.[12]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
Blabbermouth.net9/10[14]
Distorted Sound9/10[15]
Jesus Freak Hideout[16]
Kerrang![17]
Metal Injection8/10[18]
New Noise[19]
Wall of Sound8/10[20]

The album received positive reviews from critics. AllMusic gave the album a positive review saying, "As per usual, the stalwart metalcore enthusiasts find the sweet spot between aggression and affirmation."[13] Blabbermouth.net gave the album 9 out of 10 and said: "Offering both brawn and brains, August Burns Red maintain their status as metalcore behemoths on the uncompromising Death Below, one of the heaviest and most experimental sets of their careers."[14] Daniel Fella of Distorted Sound scored the album 9 out of 10 and said: "[...] the most impressive part; ten albums in and we are still worshipping the ground that this band walks on. If that isn't a mark of success, then what is?"[15] Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album 4 out of 5 and said: "Overall, Death Below shows ABR at their best and doing what makes them the metalcore giants they are as well. Outside of the few missteps where it could be argued that song placement and length should have been changed, this will probably go down as one of their best since Rescue & Restore. Hope and perseverance have always been a huge focus in ABR's music and it's a welcome thing to see that same focus and intentionality still present throughout the entirety of this entry and album cycle."[16] Kerrang! gave the album 3 out of 5 and stated: "This may not be their greatest moment, but it certainly rewards those who take the time to sink into it, for this is superior metalcore played with heart and avoiding the cookie-cutter cliches of the genre. Death may be below, but for ABR, things continue to look up."[17]

Metal Injection rated the album 8 out of 10 and stated, "Despite not taking many steps out of the band's own carefully crafted comfort zone, Death Below is a tree-trunk solid addition to the August Burns Red back catalog that is razor sharp even in its dabblings. While it pushes hard at a darker, more aggressive style of play on top of the usual playful and experimental sections, Death Below never loses the sense of passion that August Burns Red bring to the table that makes this more than just another metalcore day at the beach – and also more than just another August Burns Red album. Here's to another twenty years, on this evidence."[18] New Noise gave the album 5 out of 5 and stated: "Overall, Death Below is a record of struggle, through and through, and although ABR tends to look on the bright side of even the darkest times, there is something so purely heavy and melancholy about their 9th outing. Bold, ambitious, and communal, this is ABR's best record to date."[19] Wall of Sound gave the album a positive review saying: "After twenty years August Burns Red are very comfortable with who they are but unafraid to throw in some different spices to their metalcore dish. Death Below isn't the kind of commercial leap that might suddenly bring in new fans or see them rocket up festival bills but has some good hooks and some brilliant musicianship. They continue to be technically proficient, making Death Below a great album that rewards repeat listens."[20]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by August Burns Red

Death Below track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Premonition"
1:53
2."The Cleansing"
7:47
3."Ancestry" (featuring Jesse Leach)
  • Brubaker
  • Luhrs
  • Greiner
  • Brent Rambler
4:50
4."Tightrope" (featuring Jason Richardson)
  • Brubaker
  • Luhrs
  • Greiner
  • Rambler
4:13
5."Fool's Gold in the Bear Trap"
  • Brubaker
  • Luhrs
  • Greiner
  • Rambler
3:04
6."Backfire"
  • Brubaker
  • Luhrs
  • Greiner
  • Dustin Davidson
4:22
7."Revival"
  • Brubaker
  • Luhrs
  • Greiner
  • Rambler
4:29
8."Sevink"Brubaker1:23
9."Dark Divide"
  • Brubaker
  • Luhrs
  • Greiner
  • Rambler
4:58
10."Deadbolt"
  • Brubaker
  • Luhrs
  • Greiner
  • Davidson
4:20
11."The Abyss" (featuring J.T. Cavey)
  • Brubaker
  • Luhrs
  • Greiner
  • Davidson
4:34
12."Reckoning" (featuring Spencer Chamberlain)
  • Brubaker
  • Luhrs
  • Greiner
  • Rambler
  • Davidson
  • Spencer Chamberlain
7:52
Total length:53:45

Personnel

[edit]

August Burns Red

  • Jake Luhrs – lead vocals
  • JB Brubaker – lead guitar
  • Brent Rambler – rhythm guitar
  • Dustin Davidson – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Greiner – drums, piano

Additional musicians

Additional personnel

  • Carson Slovak – production
  • Grant McFarland – production

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Death Below
Chart (2023) Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[21] 84
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[22] 69
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[23] 40
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[24] 18
US Billboard 200[25] 157
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[26] 24
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[27] 8

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "JAKE LUHRS Talks 20 Years Of AUGUST BURNS RED And "Progressive, Dark, Challenging" New Album Death Below". 22 March 2023.
  2. ^ "August Burns Red Premiere "Ancestry" Music Video Featuring Killswitch Engage's Jesse Leach". ThePRP. November 3, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  3. ^ "August Burns Red Premiere "Backfire" Music Video". ThePRP. January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "August Burns Red Premiere "Reckoning" Featuring Underoath's Spencer Chamberlain". ThePRP. February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  5. ^ "August Burns Red Announces 'Death Below' Album, Shares 'Ancestry' Music Video". Blabbermouth.net. November 3, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "Hear Killswitch Engage's Jesse Leach Rage on August Burns Red's New Song "Ancestry"". Revolver. November 3, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  7. ^ "August Burns Red Recruit Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Underoath, Etc. Members For New Album "Death Below"". ThePRP. November 1, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  8. ^ "August Burns Red Sign With SharpTone Records, New Album Planned". ThePRP. March 25, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  9. ^ "August Burns Red Announce New Album Death Below". Rock Sound. November 1, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "August Burns Red Announce Album #10 & Introduce 'Ancestry' with Jesse Leach". Wall of Sound. November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  11. ^ "August Burns Red Release Awesome New Track 'Backfire'". Rock Sound. January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  12. ^ "August Burns Red Recruits Underøath's Spencer Chamberlain for 'Reckoning'". Wall of Sound. February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Christopher Monger, James. "August Burns Red Death Below". AllMusic. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Erickson, Anne (March 23, 2023). "AUGUST BURNS RED Death Below". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Fella, Daniel (March 23, 2023). "ALBUM REVIEW: Death Below – August Burns Red". Distorted Sound. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Baldwin, Matt (March 19, 2023). "August Burns Red Death Below". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Slessor, Dan (March 22, 2023). "Album review: August Burns Red – Death Below". Kerrang!. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  18. ^ a b McKenna, Shaun (March 28, 2023). "Album Review: AUGUST BURNS RED Death Below". Metal Injection. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Ketchum, Jameson (March 20, 2023). "Album Review: August Burns Red-Death Below". New Noise. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Draven, KJ (March 17, 2023). "August Burns Red – Death Below (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – August Burns Red – Death Below" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  22. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  23. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  24. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  25. ^ "August Burns Red Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  26. ^ "August Burns Red Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  27. ^ "August Burns Red Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
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