What I'm Listening To (Part 3)

It’s been a couple of weeks, but I’m back into my normal state of listening to metal. Years ago when I was just starting to take interest in metal (around 12 or 13) I listened to a few different bands, but it was mostly bits and pieces from different artists - one of which was August Burns Red.

I listened to one or two songs by them and for a while I have to admit I started to lose interest in them and they began to slip my mind. It wasn’t until this month that I was reminded of them, and lately I’ve been listening to them more than usual. I'm surprised it took me this long to finally get into them, but for a while I think my ear for metal was just beginning to develop.

"White Washed"

The guitar at the very beginning of this song is initially what motivated me to give them a second chance. I think a combination of the fact that my interest in metal (at the time) was only developing, and the fact that I hadn’t heard any of their best songs lead me to slowly forget about this band. But this song stood out to me because of the tone it sets from the beginning of the song. Something about it resonates with me.

Most of the time, I don’t pay much attention to lyrics. I’m not sure why that is, but it’s usually something that doesn’t mean much to me. However, I can appreciate the lyrics in this song for the simplicity. I think artists try too hard with lyrics. I appreciate when they’re direct because it has as a greater impact. (For me anyway.)

"Mariana's Trench"

This reason also caught my attention from the guitar at the beginning. For some reason I prefer when metal songs begin with a “slower” feel. Songs like these are much more meaningful to me because it’s more relatable. It’s easier to maintain my interest in a song if it resembles a journey, or a story. 

The song ends in a fade which, to me, is almost a symbolic way of saying this story isn’t finished. I’m left thinking there’s more to come.

“We’re going under. We’re going under. Under… under… under… under…”

This song does a great job of capturing the emotions that we experience in hard times, and though some may find it devastating, I find it motivating. It may not have a “happy ending”, but leaving it open ended lets you write it yourself.