The album is due out March 24th via Sharptone Records and includes appearances from guitarist Jason Richardson, JT Cavey of ERRA and Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath.
PA metalcore stalwarts August Burns Red have confirmed the follow-up to their lauded 2020 full length, Guardians, with the introduction of their SharpTone Records campaign. Due to arrive March 24th, 2023, Death Below serves as the band’s ninth studio effort – one that further reiterates the collective’s continued evolution as songwriters, storytellers, and one of the most authentic bands in their respective space.
Derived from the shared uncertainly experienced over the last few years, ABR guitarist JB Brubaker explained how the 12-song collection was an especially cathartic process – one that pushed the band to new levels of self-discovery. “It’s no secret that the past few years have been extremely dark and challenging,” Brubaker says. “Death Below is here as a result of that time in each our lives and the emotions that came with it. We were motivated by uncertainty, fear, outrage, and triumph. I feel this is the darkest, most personal album we’ve ever written, and I couldn’t be more proud of what the five of us made together.”
Sharing the very first glimpse of the record, ABR has released the lead single entitled “Ancestry”. Enlisting a beloved figure in American metal to assist on the track, Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage loans his powerful vocal prowess to the towering track.
“‘Ancestry’ is a complex and technical ABR track held together by perhaps the most painful and personal lyrics Jake has ever written,” says Brubaker. “I loved this song in every phase since its inception. From the instrumental rendition, to the lyrics and vocals being added, to finally bringing it all together with Jesse’s anthemic guest vocals, ‘Ancestry’ is a song we’ve been looking forward to sharing with the world for a long time.”
Along with Jesse Leach, Death Below is set to include a concise, albeit convincing roster of contributors. Among the guests adding their talents to the project include guitarist Jason Richardson, JT Cavey of ERRA and Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath.
The news of the band’s pending new album follows their recent confirmation of the third annual Christmas Burns Red holiday show in their hometown of Lancaster, PA. For the 2022 edition, the event will play out over two days with August Burns Red topping two consecutive nights at Freedom Hall inside the Lancaster County Convention Center on December 16th and 17th.
Night one is will feature a Solid State Records-era theme, featuring a lineup of bands from the Solid State roster. August Burns Red will perform a set consisting entirely of music from their Solid State Records era. Night one will feature August Burns Red, Norma Jean, Silent Planet, Phinehas, Becoming the Archetype and
Earth Groans. Night two will include Erra, Shadow of Intent, Brand of Sacrifice, Invent Animate and Convictions. Tickets and info can be found – HERE
Death Below lands March 24th via SharpTone Records. Pre-order to the album – HERE
Watch the David Brodsky of My Good Eye-directed cut for “Ancestry” below.
DEATH BELOW TRACK LISTING:
“Premonition”
“The Cleansing”
“Ancestry” (Feat. Jesse Leach)
“Tightrope” (Feat. Jason Richardson)
“Fool’s Gold in the Bear Trap”
“Backfire”
“Revival”
“Sevink”
“Dark Divide”
“Deadbolt”
“The Abyss” (Feat. JT Cavey)
“Reckoning” (Feat. Spencer Chamberlain)
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