NEWS SOURCE: BLACK LODGE PR
AUGUST BURNS RED are once again pleased to spread some pre-holiday cheer with the release of “Sleigh Ride,” the second new track from their upcoming Christmas album: August Burns Red presents: Sleddin’ Hill, A Holiday Album - in stores October 9th from Solid State Records.
Last month, the band gave fans a sneak peek at the album with “Flurries,” one of two original compositions on the album. After dazzling fans with what is sure to be a future holiday classic, ABR are now giving the world a taste of their crushing take on the traditional holiday songbook.
“’Sleigh Ride’ was the last song to come together forSleddin’ Hill’ and one of the trickier songs to cover due to its crazy structure and various key changes,” says guitarist JB Brubaker. “The original song is all over the place and so is our version. ‘Sleigh Ride’ is a complete roller coaster – there is even a jazz section in the middle complete with horns. The end reminds me of a rock n roll dance party in the 1960s. I don’t know what else to say – you just have to listen to it.”
Listen to “Sleigh Ride” and pre-order Sleddin’ Hill here:
Purchase the single on iTunes now:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/
The 13-track Sleddin’ Hill features fresh takes on a variety of Christmas classics, such as “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland” and even “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.” The album also compiles remixed and remastered versions of the band’s previous holiday singles, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Little Drummer Boy” coupled with an updated version of the band’s rendition of “Carol of the Bells,” heard in Frank Miller’s (300, Sin City) movie The Spirit and Seth MacFarlane’s (Family Guy) American Dad.
“Because this was such a different type of album, I was able to get a little more wild with my influences,” confesses Brubaker. “There’s a section inspired by one of my favorite bands, BEIRUT. There’s also guitar solo that is an ode to Blue Album-era WEEZER, and my punk roots are evident all over the album.”
AUGUST BURNS RED are currently in the midst of a five-week, 30-city North American tour with support from OF MICE & MEN, THE COLOR MORALE and labelmates THE OVERSEER, before heading back to Europe where they’ll hit 12 countries in four weeks.
Already among the most respected acts in the genre, AUGUST BURNS RED solidified their status further with the June 2011 release of their fourth studio album, Leveler, which rocketed to the top of the Billboard charts – debuting at #11 on the Billboard 200 in addition to entering the charts as the #1 Hard Rock album and #2 Rock album. Adding to the stellar debut is the incredible durability and staying power Leveler has displayed, having become the band’s fastest selling album to date by a large margin.
Following two albums that have topped 100,000 apiece in sales (2009′s Constellations and 2007′s Messengers), Leveler is on pace to set a new high-bar for AUGUST BURNS RED, adding commercial success to the critical praise the album has garnered from the likes of Alternative Press, Revolver, Rock Sound and dozens of other outlets. The album pushes the band’s sonic boundaries in every direction, yet emerges as an unquestionably heavier album than its predecessor. It’s a game-changer, for ABR, and for fans of hard rock everywhere.
That’s how you get down at Christmas time. I hope they aren’t all instrumentals, though.
I can’t remember, did any of their prior Christmas songs have words? I don’t think so. I haven’t heard this album so i dont know the answer. i’m not much of a metalcore guy, but i think this is going to be a must have