Reviews

Wow.  I can’t think of anything better to say.  I thought hardcore was over with.  It’s had its run, time to move on to a new underground, love-to-hate, hate-to-love genre.  August Burns Red has revitalized my love for energy, raw emotion, and head banging.  Yes, I said it, head banging. 
 
Messenger is what you get when you put together beautifully scripted guitar riffs, deep, heart wrenching percussion, a scream that would have Lucifer himself hiding in a cave, and pure unsaturated evil.  I’m going to hell just for loving this album…and I can’t wait. 
 
They really should have named this album “Breakdown” because it’s just about 48 minutes straight of breakdowns.  “Truth of a Liar” gets you going with a valid depiction of what to expect from the rest of the album.  Thankfully, it’s pure genius in regards to the song writing; it got me excited.  I couldn’t get through one song without wondering what was coming next.  Front man Josh McManness’ deep, growling, just plain evil scream has enough emotion in it to get even the kids in the back of the room with their arms crossed into the pit.  
 
Everything about this album had me going, but “The Blinding Light” really got to me.  Just under a minute into the song, I heard this melody that put tears to my eyes.  The breakdown, combined with the pummeling sounds coming from Josh’s vocal chords had me jumping in my seat on my flight from Los Angels to New York.  The flight attendant asked me if anything was wrong.  I told her I just heard Satan.  She thought I was upset, so she got me a cookie.
 
Another part that had me jumping like a 5-year old on crack was in “Composure”; the incredible solo at the end along with the chanting, “You’ve got your own life to lead,” gave me chills.  “The Balance” had another impressive solo close the song.  While the solos are catchy, though, they’re nothing revolutionary.  The rhythms are much more impressive.  Towards the end of the disc…about 2:24 into “Black Sheep,” there was this trance of a melody.  It sounded like something out of a Final Fantasy game.  It was strangely soothing. 
 
Ok, so I’m done blowing smoke.  Why not a perfect score after all this ranting?  As much as I love it, other than their pure energy and talent for coming up with new rhythms, there is nothing ground breaking about this album.  It won’t go down in the record books, but it is one of the greatest releases of 2007. 
 
August Burns Red has a bright future ahead of them.  Their major turning point will be after a good supporting tour.  I beg everyone to get to a show and pick up this CD.  If you like breakdowns (and I know you do you hxc kiddies), you’ll fall in love with Messenger.
 
 
Sounds like: Drop Dead, Gorgeous
 
Stand out tracks: Truth of a Liar, The Blinding Light, Composure, Black Sheep