Found In Far Away Places shows the band exploring brand new territories both instrumentally and lyrically. A clear ‘Album of the Year’ contender for 2015.
Building on the intelligent, melodically inventive sounds showcased on 2013's Rescue & Restore, the quintet further distinguish themselves from the metalcore pack in a manner that seems effortless. [Jul 2015, p.96]
That the band never lose themselves in the process of these myriad digressions is impressive to say the least, but what's most notable about Found in Far Away Places is how fluid the ride is.
The album's strongest asset is its sense of emotion that bleeds through, especially on guitar solos, in impressive contrast to the always-brutal breakdowns.
Some of the best work that ABR has done. It sounds so well-crafted and beautiful. Ever since Constellations, these guys have been unstoppable.Some of the best work that ABR has done. It sounds so well-crafted and beautiful. Ever since Constellations, these guys have been unstoppable. "Ghosts" is one of the best songs they've ever done. Just get the whole thing. I'm very impressed.…Expand
The band explores new territory, not just instrumentally, but lyrically as well. The first track on the album "The Wake" is a prime example ofThe band explores new territory, not just instrumentally, but lyrically as well. The first track on the album "The Wake" is a prime example of this. The band's message has always been about hope in the hardest of situations. However with this track it's clear that the band is becoming disenchanted with this world. The message in this track is instead about hopelessness. It says the world has become irredeemable so we should just drown it and move on. "It's what we deserve." A shocking move for a Christian band.
Yet they haven't completely sunken into despair. The strength their faith gives them is still on display throughout the album. They are still seeing a light in the darkness. In another impressive move the song "Twenty-One Grams" actually expresses some doubt in their beliefs in the same way everyone does from time to time. It's a really humanizing move.
These new themes really help strengthen the band's work and help set this album apart from their other works. However the experimentation doesn't stop there. As always the surprise breakdowns that catch you off guard by switching to another genre are still here and slip in just as fluidly as ever. One sounds like it's straight out of an old western. The track "Vanguard" opens up with some electronic rock. Shocking, exciting, and very enjoyable.
As always the band's uncompromising dedication to the heaviness of metal is as appreciated as ever. This is definitely one of the best works from an incredible band. Their talent is on point allowing them to craft one of the best metal albums out there and an easy contender for one of the best albums of the year.
I give "Found in Far Away Places" a 9.9/10.…Expand
A strong powerhouse of an album by ABR, bringing some great material to the metal scene once again. I wasn't sure about the guitar work on theA strong powerhouse of an album by ABR, bringing some great material to the metal scene once again. I wasn't sure about the guitar work on the first track when it started off so I was wary for the rest of it but as a whole the rest of the album continued finely. I also noticed oddly enough ABR have used influences from their sleddin' hill album which is quite obviously evident on the album with the sound and production on some of the songs. Stand out songs on the record are: identity, ghosts (a personal favourite now), everlasting ending and broken promises. These songs will most likely resonate with fans most as they are powerful, brutal and haunting. The songs I found myself not enjoying too much however which brought the album down for me was separating the seas and majoring in the minors; although majoring in the minors did have a nice sounding interlude part in it. Overall the album is highly enjoyable and therefore ABR have brought out another killer record. Found in Far away Places deserves a purchase.
8/10…Expand
Found in Far Away Places is an album that is within a wider working in progress, with new ideas and innovations being implemented sometimes inFound in Far Away Places is an album that is within a wider working in progress, with new ideas and innovations being implemented sometimes in the wrong place, but more often than not being used fantastically – like the exceptional guitar work. There’s a larger emphasis on instrumentals and intervals, which sometimes develops the music, and sometimes hinders it; but there seems to be less of a focus on breakdowns and memorable techniques of which Constellations used so effectively, and instead doesn’t use quite the same raw and angry sound that album did, but instead uses a more complex, varying sound, and so it is a less memorable album. And despite an abundance of brilliant songs, the album lacks coherence on occasion and despite improved mixing elsewhere, the voice – which I don’t think is quite as good as before – is a little lower in the mix, which is a shame. Nonetheless, the music is usually in a lower key and so sounds refreshingly dark, and I’m becoming increasingly less sure on whether there are actually less breakdowns, and I’m also becoming increasingly fond on the whole album.
But if I’m sure of one thing, it’s the same old band I love. But in an album that’s probably trying a bit too hard and isn’t anywhere near as good as Constellations — but it is still a very, very good album in its own right, and on par with Rescue & Restore, at least.
85/100 (not rounded to 9/10 because it's not memorable enough for me).…Expand
