Thrill Seeker
{{About|the album|other uses|Thrillseeker (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Thrill Seeker
| type = studio
| artist = August Burns Red
| cover = Thrillseeker.jpg
| alt =
| released = November 8, 2005
{{start date|2025|01|24}} (20th Anniversary Edition)
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio = Dark Horse Studio, Franklin, Tennessee
| genre = *Metalcore
- progressive metalcore{{cite web |url=https://metalstorm.net/pub/review.php?review_id=10859 |title=August Burns Red - Thrill Seeker review |date=May 30, 2012 |access-date=August 26, 2024}}
| length = 44:46
47:38 (20th Anniversary Edition)
| label = Solid State
ABR (20th Anniversary Edition)
| producer = Adam Dutkiewicz
{{Flat list|
- Carson Slovak
- Grant McFarland
}}(20th Anniversary Edition)
| prev_title = Looks Fragile After All
| prev_year = 2004
| next_title = Messengers
| next_year = 2007
| misc = {{Extra album cover
| header = 20th Anniversary Edition cover
| type = studio
| cover = File:Thrill_Seeker_20_anniversery.jpeg
| border =
| alt =
}}
{{singles
| name = Thrill Seeker: 20th Anniversary Edition
| type = studio
| single1 = Your Little Suburbia Is in Ruins
| single2 = Barbarian
}}
}}
Thrill Seeker is the debut studio album by American metalcore band August Burns Red. It was released on November 8, 2005, through Solid State Records and was produced by Adam Dutkiewicz. A music video was released for the opening track "Your Little Suburbia Is In Ruins".{{cite web|publisher=Godtube|url=https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=W7GLGPNX|title=August Burns Red - Your Little Suburbia Is In Ruins - Christian Music Videos|accessdate=February 20, 2020}}
Thrill Seeker is the band's last release to feature original bassist Jordan Tuscan and the only release with vocalist Josh McManness, as they both would later depart from the band the following year with Dustin Davidson and Jake Luhrs taking their positions respectively. An unreleased track, "Pride & Humility", was featured on This is Solid State Vol. 6.
Background
August Burns Red released its debut EP, Looks Fragile After All, was released on August 24, 2004 through CI Records.{{cite web |url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/LooksFragileAfterAllEP.asp |title=August Burns Red, "Looks Fragile After All" Review |access-date=September 4, 2024}} Later that year, vocalist Jon Hershey left the band and was replaced by Josh McManness.{{cite web|title=August Burns Red Bio|url=http://www.christianmusic.com/august_burns_red/august_burns_red.htm|publisher=ChristianMusic.com|access-date=September 4, 2024}} After months of performing with McManness, the band would be signed to Solid State Records in 2005.{{cite web|author=Brandon|title=August Burns Red Interview with Matt Greiner|url=http://www.enochmagazine.com/articles/band-interviews/august-burns-red-interview-with-matt-greiner|publisher=Enoch Magazine|access-date=October 18, 2011|archive-date=March 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315043627/http://www.enochmagazine.com/articles/band-interviews/august-burns-red-interview-with-matt-greiner|url-status=dead}}
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = AbsolutePunk
| rev2 = Indie Vision Music
| rev3 = Jesus Freak Hideout
| rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/ThrillSeeker.asp|title=August Burns Red, "Thrill Seeker" Review|website=jesusfreakhideout.com}}
| rev4 = Punk News
| rev4score = {{rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.punknews.org/review/4763/august-burns-red-thrill-seeker |title=August Burns Red - Thrill Seeker |date=December 9, 2005 |access-date=November 6, 2023}}
}}
Thrill Seeker received mixed to positive reviews upon release.
Sean Lex of Jesus Freak Hideout praised the band's musicianship and complimented the band's sound as being "way more mature than their age. They've got the sound of a metal band that's been around for a few album releases." Lex did criticize some of the lyrics for being cynical and feeling like a "emocore diary entry" and stated that some of the music was formulaic.
A mixed review came from Indie Vision Music, with the review stating Thrill Seeker adds little to the hardcore/metalcore scene, but also said the album "is not entirely a waste of time", praising the closing track "The Seventh Trumpet". Punk News also gave the album a mixed review, saying the album "follows every single rule in the book of metalcore" and criticized the album's lack of originality. The review did praise the band for not using clean vocals and also noted the members' young young age, stating "they really flirt with breaking above the mold."
In 2020, the band celebrated the album's 15th anniversary with a virtual livestream concert, with no fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They performed the album in its entirety, featuring a guest appearance from both McManness and Tuscan.{{cite web |publisher=Metal Injection |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |url=https://metalinjection.net/av/watch-august-burns-red-reunite-with-ex-members-to-perform-debut-album-tracks |title=Watch AUGUST BURNS RED Reunited With Ex-Members To Perform Debut Album Tracks |date=April 19, 2018 |access-date=August 26, 2024}} This performance was later made available to stream as an album.{{cite web |publisher=Metal Injection |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |url=https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/august-burns-red-to-play-2005-debut-thrill-seeker-during-coming-livestream |title=AUGUST BURNS RED To Play 2005 Debut Thrill Seeker During Coming Livestream |date=October 19, 2020 |access-date=November 6, 2023}}
20th Anniversary Edition
On August 26, 2024, the band announced that they had entered the studio and were re-recording Thrill Seeker with current vocalist Jake Luhrs.{{cite web |publisher=Lambgoat |last=Aro |first=Karam |url=https://www.lambgoat.com/news/43823/august-burns-red-rerecording-debut-album-thrill-seeker-with-current-vocalist-jake-luhrs/ |title=August Burns Red rerecording debut album 'Thrill Seeker' with current vocalist Jake Luhrs |date=August 26, 2024 |access-date=August 26, 2024}} The re-recorded version of the album, produced by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland, and includes guest appearances by Adam Dutkiewicz on "Speech Impediment" and Josh McManness "Barbarian".{{cite web |website=Blabbermouth.net |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/august-burns-red-to-release-re-recorded-version-of-thrill-seeker-with-jake-luhrs-on-vocals |title=AUGUST BURNS RED To Release Re-Recorded Version Of 'Thrill Seeker' With JAKE LUHRS On Vocals |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025}} On January 3, 2025, the band released the re-recorded version of "Your Little Suburbia Is in Ruins" and announced the re-recorded album will be released on January 24 through the band's own label, ABR Records.{{cite web |website=Revolver |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-august-burns-reds-new-version-of-your-little-suburbia-is-in-ruins-with-jake-luhrs-on-vocals/ |title=Hear AUGUST BURNS RED's new version of "Your Little Suburbia Is in Ruins" with JAKE LUHRS on vocals |date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025}} A re-recorded version of "Barbarian" was released on January 17, 2025.{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2025 |title=August Burns Red share re-recorded version of "Barbarian" feat original vocalist Josh McManness |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/45670/august-burns-red-share-re-recorded-version-of-barbarian-feat-original-vocalist-josh-mcmanness/ |website=Lambgoat}}
Track listing
{{track listing
|all_writing = August Burns Red.
|title1 = Your Little Suburbia Is in Ruins
|length1 = 3:58
|title2 = Speech Impediment
|length2 = 4:01
|title3 = Endorphins
|length3 = 3:10
|title4 = Too Late for Roses
|length4 = 3:19
|title5 = Barbarian
|length5 = 3:45
|title6 = The Reflective Property
|length6 = 3:51
|title7 = A Wish Full of Dreams
|length7 = 2:58
|title8 = Consumer
|length8 = 4:10
|title9 = A Shot Below the Belt
|length9 = 4:10
|title10 = Eve of the End
|note10 = instrumental
|length10 = 3:09
|title11 = The Seventh Trumpet
|length11 = 8:12
|total_length = 44:46
}}
{{track listing
| headline = 15th anniversary vinyl bonus track
| title12 = Pride & Humility
| length12 = 2:37
}}
{{track listing
| headline = Thrill Seeker: 20th Anniversary Edition
| total_length = 47:38
| title1 = Your Little Suburbia Is in Ruins
| length1 = 4:05
| title2 = Speech Impediment
| note2 = feat. Adam Dutkiewicz
| length2 = 4:03
| title3 = Endorphins
| length3 = 3:12
| title4 = Too Late for Roses
| length4 = 3:21
| title5 = Barbarian
| note5 = feat. Josh McManness
| length5 = 3:49
| title6 = The Reflective Property
| length6 = 3:52
| title7 = A Wish Full of Dreams
| length7 = 2:59
| title8 = Consumer
| length8 = 4:10
| title9 = A Shot Below the Belt
| length9 = 4:04
| title10 = Eve of the End
| note10 = Instrumental
| length10 = 3:18
| title11 = The Seventh Trumpet
| length11 = 8:04
| title12 = Pride & Humility
| length12 = 2:41
}}
Personnel
August Burns Red
- Josh McManness – vocals
- JB Brubaker – lead guitar
- Brent Rambler – rhythm guitar
- Jordan Tuscan – bass
- Matt Greiner – drums, piano
Additional personnel
- Adam Dutkiewicz – production, engineering, mixing
- Wayne Krupa – engineering
- Troy Glessner – mastering
- Asterik Studio – art direction, design
- Dave Hill – band photography
20th Anniversary Edition Personnel
August Burns Red
- Jake Luhrs – vocals
- JB Brubaker – lead guitar
- Brent Rambler – rhythm guitar
- Dustin Davidson – bass
- Matt Greiner – drums, piano
Additional musicians
- Adam Dutkiewicz – guitar solo on "Speech Impediment"
- Josh McManness – additional vocals on "Barbarian"
Additional personnel
- Carson Slovak – production
- Grant McFarland – production
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.allmusic.com/album/thrill-seeker-r804819 Thrill Seeker] at Allmusic
- [http://www.allmusic.com/song/pride-humility-mt0006697340 Pride & Humility track]
{{August Burns Red}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:August Burns Red albums