Is Messengers a good place to start with August Burns Red?

Yes, Messengers is recommended as a starting point for new August Burns Red listeners. A relentless barrage of technical riffs and emotionally charged breakdowns underpins an exploration of personal struggle and resilience. Released in January 2007, Messengers is August Burns Red's third studio album, coming off the success of their previous release, Thrill Seeker. This album marked a pivotal moment as they began to establish themselves as key players in the metalcore scene, showcasing their evolving sound and lyrical depth.

Who is Messengers for?

Messengers works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, dynamic emotional journeys and long, immersive listening sessions.

How many songs are on Messengers?

Messengers has 11 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Messengers

August Burns Red · 2007

48 min · 11 tracks · metalcore

A relentless barrage of technical riffs and emotionally charged breakdowns underpins an exploration of personal struggle and resilience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Composure — This track encapsulates the album's blend of technicality and emotion, featuring intricate guitar work alongside lyrics that confront inner turmoil with urgency.
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The Truth of a Liar Start here — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its aggressive instrumentation and themes of authenticity versus deception, showcasing the band's signature sound.
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Redemption — Closing out the album, this song combines melodic elements with intense breakdowns, delivering a powerful message about overcoming adversity that resonates throughout the record.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate musicianship and dynamic shifts, solidifying its place in metalcore.

What we noticed

Each song typically includes multiple breakdowns that shift dynamics abruptly, creating a sense of urgency throughout the record.
Vocals alternate between harsh screams and melodic singing, often within the same track, enhancing the emotional intensity of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
dynamic emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified the band's reputation and garnered wider recognition.
Themes: inner turmoil· authenticity versus deception· overcoming adversity
Career context: Released in January 2007, Messengers is August Burns Red's third studio album, coming off the success of their previous release, Thrill Seeker. This album marked a pivotal moment as they began to establish themselves as key players in the metalcore scene, showcasing their evolving sound and lyrical depth.
Stylistic neighbors: Killswitch Engage· Parkway Drive· The Devil Wears Prada