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".[3]

Thrill Seeker
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 8, 2005
StudioDark Horse Studio, Franklin, Tennessee
Genre
Length44:46
LabelSolid State
ProducerAdam Dutkiewicz
August Burns Red chronology
Looks Fragile After All
(2004)
Thrill Seeker
(2005)
Messengers
(2007)

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

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August Burns Red released its debut EP, Looks Fragile After All, was released on August 24, 2004 through CI Records.[4] Later that year, vocalist Jon Hershey left the band and was replaced by Josh McManness.[5] After months of performing with McManness, the band would be signed to Solid State Records in 2005.[6]

Reception and legacy

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk88%[7]
Indie Vision Music5/10[8]
Jesus Freak Hideout     [9]
Punk News     [1]

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.[9]

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".[8] 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."[1]

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.[10] This performance was later made available to stream as an album.[11]

On August 26, 2024, the band announced that they had entered the studio and were re-recording Thrill Seeker with current vocalist Jake Luhrs.[12]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by August Burns Red.

No.TitleLength
1."Your Little Suburbia Is in Ruins"3:58
2."Speech Impediment"4:01
3."Endorphins"3:10
4."Too Late for Roses"3:19
5."Barbarian"3:45
6."The Reflective Property"3:51
7."A Wish Full of Dreams"2:58
8."Consumer"4:10
9."A Shot Below the Belt"4:10
10."Eve of the End" (instrumental)3:09
11."The Seventh Trumpet"8:12
Total length:44:46
15th anniversary vinyl bonus track
No.TitleLength
12."Pride & Humility"2:37

Personnel

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August Burns Red

  • Josh McManness – lead vocals
  • JB Brubaker – lead guitar
  • Brent Rambler – rhythm guitar
  • Jordan Tuscan – bass guitar
  • Matt Greiner – drums, piano

Additional personnel

  • Adam Dutkiewicz – producer, engineering, mixing
  • Wayne Krupa – engineering
  • Troy Glessner – mastering
  • Asterik Studio – art direction, design
  • Dave Hill – band photography

References

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  1. ^ a b c "August Burns Red - Thrill Seeker". December 9, 2005. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "August Burns Red - Thrill Seeker review". May 30, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  3. ^ "August Burns Red - Your Little Suburbia Is In Ruins - Christian Music Videos". Godtube. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  4. ^ "August Burns Red, "Looks Fragile After All" Review". Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  5. ^ "August Burns Red Bio". ChristianMusic.com. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  6. ^ Brandon. "August Burns Red Interview with Matt Greiner". Enoch Magazine. Archived from the original on March 15, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  7. ^ Weber, Scott (November 21, 2005). "August Burns Red - Thrill Seeker - Album review". absolutepunk.net. Retrieved July 19, 2011.[dead link]
  8. ^ a b Brandon J. (August 20, 2006). "Album Review: August Burns Red - "Thrill Seeker"". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "August Burns Red, "Thrill Seeker" Review". jesusfreakhideout.com.
  10. ^ Kennelty, Greg (April 19, 2018). "Watch AUGUST BURNS RED Reunited With Ex-Members To Perform Debut Album Tracks". Metal Injection. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  11. ^ Kennelty, Greg (October 19, 2020). "AUGUST BURNS RED To Play 2005 Debut Thrill Seeker During Coming Livestream". Metal Injection. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  12. ^ Aro, Karam (August 26, 2024). "August Burns Red rerecording debut album 'Thrill Seeker' with current vocalist Jake Luhrs". Lambgoat. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
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