August Burns Red’s Holiday New Single

August 31, 2012 – AUGUST BURNS RED are pleased to share “Flurries,” the first new track revealed from their upcoming Christmas album: August Burns Red presents: Sleddin’ Hill, A Holiday Album – in stores October 9th from Solid State Records.
The track – previewed yesterday through the band’s newsletter and available today for public consumption on their Facebook page – is one of two original compositions on the album. True to form, it showcases the dynamics and breathtaking technicality that fans have come to love, while also presenting a previously untapped side of ABR that is explored thoroughly throughout Sleddin’ Hill.

“’Flurries’ is one of two original songs I wrote for the record,” says guitarist JB Brubaker. “It’s the first track on Sleddin’ Hill and it’s a dynamic song that begins with a big build-up before kicking into gear. We were able to play with all sorts of layers in this song including strings, lots of different bells and booming war drums. I definitely think the song sets the tone for what is to come on the rest of the record.”

Listen to “Flurries” and predorder Sleddin’ Hill here:

In addition to original songs, the 13-track release features fresh takes on 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.

Sleddin’ Hill finds AUGUST BURNS RED at what might be their most ambitious and creative yet. It’s a work that enhances the guitar and drum mastery the band are known for by adding unexpected elements such as banjo, violin, cello, piano and even horns.
“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.”

Leading up the release of Sleddin’ Hill, AUGUST BURNS RED is set to launch a five-week, 30-city North American tour today 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.