August Burns Red, "Lost Messengers: The Outtakes EP" Review

JFH Music Review

August Burns Red
Lost Messengers: The Outtakes EP

Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 7 tracks: 21 minutes, 17 seconds
Street Date: February 24, 2009

August Burns Red's Lost Messengers EP is the band's fourth release. And what a release it is.

The first song, "Chasing the Dragon," is a very good opening song for the EP. During the chorus, there is a very catchy guitar rhythm in the background making the song a memorable one. "Mosley" follows, a very up-beat song similar to the previous. But when the lyrics are examined, the listener will find they are very deep. Though not too spiritual, the song centers on a friend that has died. With phrases such as, "That night I wish you could have taken control. To steer clear from your last breath." And, "This road tells a story of a life cut short. Sirens are the sound that I hear in the back of my mind." And though, lyrically, the song has the ambience of being a sadder song, the style doesn't support it. "Mosley" closes with fast guitars and repeating the line, "I'll see you again, my dearest friend."

The next song erases seriousness away and does a good job doing a metal version of a Christmas favorite, "Carol of the Bells." This marks the first time the band's only Christmas song has been released on an August Burns Red project since the song debuted last year on the X Christmas compilation. Though many bands and orchestras have done different versions of this, ABR does a very nice version of their own. It's a good change up for the EP.

"To Those About To Rock" is a short little rocker. It's like a minute-long build up with high soaring guitars and then ends abruptly. Unfortunately, the next song, "Piano Man," feels pretty useless. "To Those About To Rock" would best serve as an intro to a hard song but only gets cut to light drums and a piano for less than two minutes. It's one of the only small flaws on this EP.

The last two serve their purpose well by ending this EP nicely. The second to last song, "Truth of the Liar (Demo)," talks to the people "of" this world. Lyrics like, "You might think you're everything to everyone. Go ahead. Partake in it. Justify it. Become engulfed in it. It will eat you alive." The song is centered on a person that tries to find pleasure in the world, and how that will fall short of the "other" option. It's possibly the most Christian song of the EP. The last song closes the album properly. "Vital Signs (Demo)" is a hard song filled with double base and fast guitar riffs. Lyrically, the song is filled with hopelessness. It centers on a person trying to do good in the world but no one sees their efforts, or sees their intentions. The main thought is summed up in the verses, "Preaching to the deaf and blind, no one sees my effort. Preaching to the deaf and blind, no one gets the point." Which is also how the EP ends quickly.

Though, to many fans of ABR, the EP serves only as a 'hold over' for the next full-length album, Constellations, which releases July 14. Other than the useless "Piano Man," the EP is a great addition for any hardcore lover. Pick this one up wherever you can find it!

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 4/14/09, written by Zachary Zinn for Jesusfreakhideout.com