Breaking Down 'Messengers': The Album That Rocks the Snowflakes

Brace yourself for a ride into the thumping heart of metalcore music with August Burns Red’s sophomore album, 'Messengers.' Released on June 19, 2007, this album is a mosh pit of powerful riffs, unapologetic lyricism, and a raw, thrashing tone that resonates strongly, especially if you enjoy straightforward, in-your-face artistry. Recorded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, under the banner of Solid State Records, the album was an explosive follow-up to their debut and marked a significant moment in the metalcore scene. It's an album that appeals to the kind of folks who appreciate when an artist doesn't compromise, doesn't hold back, and doesn't cater to the easily offended.

For those uninformed, August Burns Red consists of five talented musicians who have been crafting their distinctive sound since 2003. Jake Luhrs’ vocals are ferocious and give the album its edge, while guitarists JB Brubaker and Brent Rambler serve up riffs that could melt steel, all backed by bass from Dustin Davidson and the seismic drumming from Matt Greiner. 'Messengers' wasn't just more than 42 minutes of music; it was a sonic assault on the politically correct drivel that plagues much of today's pop culture.

One of the best parts of 'Messengers' is its complete rejection of mediocrity. There’s nothing pale or timid about it. Tracks like “The Truth of a Liar” and “Back Burner” don’t tiptoe around issues—they stomp right through them. The lyrics in 'Messengers' tackle themes of inner turmoil, disillusionment, and strength, drawing lines in the sand for those who can't handle the heat. The persistent breakdowns and relentless pace of the songs are its strongest features, much like the uncompromising principles that guide a certain side of the political spectrum.

The album's opening track, “The Truth of a Liar,” sets the stage with potent energy that carries through every subsequent song. It's an unfiltered burst of honesty, which seems rare these days. There's no candy-coating fact; just like calling out hypocrisy wherever it lurks. Their music is anthemic, nearly a battle cry against societal constraints, and it fits perfectly in the landscape where too many are more concerned about microaggressions than actual truths.

Say what you will about metalcore—the genre is often misunderstood and underrated by mainstream listeners. However, 'Messengers' stands as a testament to the potency of expressions unbound by the fear of offending. August Burns Red takes listeners firmly by the shoulders and gives them a rattling shake. It's uncompromising, it's loud, and it does what it wants, much like the people leading movements away from senseless coddling.

Going back to tracks like “Composure,” it invites listeners to harness inner guitar-solo-level energy to keep a level head even when the world seems to want you to lose it. If only more people could channel that kind of balanced intensity instead of clamoring about every little slight.

While the album is mostly known for its seismic musical arrangements, the lyrics deserve intense reverence. They cut right to the chase, without the unnecessary fluff clouding what needs to be said. In “An American Dream,” Brubaker and Rambler deliver a vibrancy that matches the commanding lyrics. Their advocacy for resilience and self-reliance rather resembles an attribute more aligned with personal responsibility than finger-pointing.

For an album released in 2007, the relevance of its message still rings today. When narratives are controlled by the loudest, not the most logical, 'Messengers' quite literally breaks the noise. It reflects a dedication to authentic artistry that isn't afraid of sounding too harsh or too loud.

The commercial performance of 'Messengers' speaks volumes. It reached number 81 on the Billboard 200 charts—a significant achievement given its raw intensity. That success indicates that there are plenty who want their music unfiltered, their messages nakedly true, and their sound as real as it gets.

August Burns Red has demonstrated through this album that sometimes, to fend off the noise of incessant complaints and demands for safe spaces, you need a powerful shout, a power chord, and a whole lot of courage. 'Messengers' pushes musical boundaries and does it unapologetically. It's a narrative that shuns the feeling of defeatism and instead infuses listeners with power and autonomy, traits universally admirable.

'If it's not loud, it's not effective,' might as well be the motto of 'Messengers.' As long as the band continues on their brazen path of musical rebellion, they carry the torch for keeping music introspective, intense, and impactful. By doing so, they invite everyone to look deeper and appreciate the strength that comes from musical—and ideological—purity.