Thrill Seeker

Thrill Seeker was released in 2005.

Track Listing:

1. Your Little Suburbia Is in Ruins

2. Speech Impediment

3. Endorphins

4. Too Late for Roses

5. Barbarian

6. The Reflective Property

7. A Wish Full of Dreams

8. Consumer

9. A Shot Below the Belt

10. Eve of the End

11. The Seventh Trumpet

Genre: Metalcore

This album was a record store day pick up.  Its a different vocalist than the rest of their discography, the songs are a little rough but its still a fun ride.

McManness (original vocalist) is capable, just doesn't have quite the range as Luhrs.  His vocals are muddy and less understandable than Luhrs.  He left shortly after this album and it made a huge difference.

The problem with this album, and really August Burns Red as a hole is their lack of diversity.  Most of their songs are chug-fests with some nice riffs occasionally thrown in.  They're at their best when they give the song room to breathe, like Speech Impediment when the intro comes back in and Barbarian where they slow down in the chorus.  These give the songs memorable parts that enhance the album.  But more often than not its chugging and tremolo picking.

And they clearly didn't know what works and what doesnt yet.  Songs like Endorphins are cringe worthy with their shouty vocals.  Too Late For Roses has some interesting choices with playing the same riff 7 or 8 times and increasing the pitch each time.

The musicianship is there, the guitarists are talented, they just need more time to figure out how to put it all together.

As an amusing aside, this was produced by Adam D from Killswitch Engage.  So, if you're wondering why this occasionally sounds like diet KSE, that would be why.

With 3 green songs and 1 red, this is a solid debut.  

3.5/5