Constellations

 

Constellations was released in 2009

Track Listing:

1. Thirty and Seven

2. Existence

3. Ocean of Apathy

4. White Washed

5. Marianas Trench

6. The Escape Artist

7. Indonesia

8. Paradox

9. Meridian

10. Rationalist

11. Meddler

12. Crusades

Genre: Metalcore

And here we have it.  August Burns Red's peak.  They're still putting out albums nearly 20 years later, but they all pale in comparison to Constellations.

In form this is very similar Messengers.  Not a whole lot of variation.  The production is slightly better and I think Luhrs vocals sound a bit better.

But they managed to write most of their best songs here.  Thirty and Seven is such a good opener, White Washed and Marians Trench are undoubtedly their biggest songs.

Here they have more hooks, more bits to keep the album memorable.  Like the outro to Ocean of Apathy or the intro callback in White Washed.  They're playing to their strengths of intricate riffs and plenty of chugging, but adding more depth and variety to the album.

It feels like they're finally confident to let the music speak for itself whiteout needing near constant vocals.  Look at Mariana's Trench.  Long stretches where Luhrs just let's the band play.  Also that solo is excellent.

One of the best songs on the album, Indonesia, has Tommy from BTBAM doing cleans on it (I think the first clean vocals on an ABR album so far).  And they slowed it down quite a bit for Meridian.  These add a much needed change of pace to the album.

Of course, this is still ABR here.  There are still bland songs mixed in The Escape Artist, Rationalist and Paradox just blend together.

Overall, 6 greens and no reds.  I wish I could say they kept going at this pace, but Leveler is a major step back

4.5/5