Lancaster, PA metalcore act August Burns Red are back in 2017 with their newest LP: Phantom Anthem. ABR was one of the pioneering metalcore bands with their first album arriving on the scene way back in 2005. They’ve since become one of the biggest and most revered metalcore bands in the scene, as they along with a handful of other bands are credited with making the genre big.
ABR have found a metalcore formula that does more than simply work, and it is in full display and grandeur on this album. 14 years of experience and ruling the metalcore scene is certainly shown in this album. They have improved upon their last album, Found in Far Away Places, which was a little different from their overall style in some ways. While FIFAP took a detour from the original formula and did a little experimentation, Phantom Anthem, in comparison, is solid all the way through and back to what they are known for. The album is guitar heavy and guitar first; this is the first album they have done where they tracked guitar as the first instrument before drums. There are no bad tracks on the album, and nothing weak at all about it. The album is like an epic poem, full of different destinations along the path to a greater journey. The lyrics on the album seem to revolve around the theme of self betterment and improvement, but the real shining star is not the vocals here. The guitar work for this album is some of the best and most mature that they have ever written.
Guitarist JB Brubaker is guitar god among men, and is back showcasing his talent in full on this album. The insane tapping on “The Frost” is a prime example of his prowess. The album is the culmination of 14 years of veteran experience of creating metalcore music in the scene, and it shows how much the band has evolved over the years into very talented musicians. Each song has a distinctive part that differentiates it from other tracks, which is a trademark of ABR. Whether it be isolated guitar, vocals, tapping, or some other part where there is ambient sound in with the instruments, each song in unique in its own right.
In conclusion, I would rate this album at a 4/5. It is a return to their roots, along the likes of Thrill Seeker, only more mature and refined. Thrill Seeker was young guys jamming some heavy stuff, Phantom Anthem is young men who have created one of their best albums to date. Check out more of their music here.
The Reviewcore 