Phantom Anthem

Phantom Anthem
Studio album by
August Burns Red
ReleasedOctober 6, 2017
GenresMetalcore, Christian metal
Length53:41
LabelFearless
ProducersCarson Slovak, Grant McFarland[1]
August Burns Red chronology
Found in Far Away Places
(2015)		 Phantom Anthem
(2017)		 Guardians
(2020)
Singles from Phanton Anthem
  1. "Invisible Enemy"
    Released: July 26, 2017[2]
  2. "The Frost"
    Released: September 14, 2017
  3. "Dangerous"
    Released: October 30, 2018

Phantom Anthem is the eighth studio album by American metalcore band August Burns Red. It was released on October 6, 2017 through Fearless Records and was produced by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland.[3] The album peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard 200, selling 19,000 equivalent album units (17,000 in traditional sales) in its first week.[4]

Recording

As with many of August Burns Red previous albums, guitarst JB Brubaker wrote and recorded all but two songs on Phantom Anthem; this included, rhythms, fills, leads and all. Brubaker began working on new material for the album in the winter of 2015, just six months after their previous album Found in Far Away Places was released. He completed all but one of his nine tracks before New Year’s 2016.[5]

Instead of having drummer Matt Greiner record first like they had with all their previous albums, guitarist Brubaker and Davidson recorded all the main rhythm parts before Greiner had even entered the studio. This was due to Greiner not being able to make the first two weeks of the session due to food poisoning.[5]

Lead singer Jake Luhrs stated that he studied a lot of pop artist in order to put his "vocals to good use" on the album. This was due to him wanting the vocals to be the backbone of the album instead of the drumming.[6]

Commenting on the albums style Brubaker stated:[7]

It’s heavier than the last couple. It took some of the heavier, more aggressive elements from some of our earlier records and fused it with some of the more melodic and technical aspects of what we’ve been doing more recently in the last couple of albums.

Lyrical themes

Lead singer Jake Luhrs noted that with this album the band wanted to mature and take more chances when it came to lyrical themes. "I think for us, when we wrote this record, we just wanted to write something that felt like it was a mature step for August Burns Red, and something that was a little more darker and aggressive, kind of implementing our old roots."[8] The album also features the song "Hero of the Half Truth," which serves as one of the bands first political themed songs criticizing the Trump administration.[5]

Like many of the band’s previous albums all members of the band wrote lyrics with over 40 different lyrics being written for the album. The band then read over the lyrics together and decided which ones were the best fit for the album.[6]

The albums title refers to people being something other than what they seem.[8]

Release and promotion

The albums first single "Invisible Enemy" was released on July 26, 2017, alongside an official music video which is a stop motion video featuring the band as miniature marionette puppets.[9] This was followed by the second single "The Frost" which was released on September 15, 2017,[10] and its music video was released two days later on September 17.[11] A third music video for "King of Sorrow" was later released on May 8, 2018.[12]

Phantom Anthem sold 19,000 units in its first week and debuted at number 19 on the Billboard 200. It also became the band 5th album to reach number one of the Top Christian Albums chart.

The initial "Phantom Anthem" tour took place in North America from January 5, 2018, to February 18. With Born of Osiris serving as support.[13]

Reception

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic82/100[14]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[15]
Alternative PressStarStarStarStar[16]
Jesus Freak HideoutStarStarStarStar[17]
Metal HammerStarStarStar[18]
The MusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[19]
Ultimate Guitar8.7/10[20]
Wall of SoundPositive[21]

Metacritic, with four ratings from selected critics, assigns a score of 82 out of 100, giving the album universal acclaim. James Christopher Monger, from AllMusic, gives the album 4/5 stars, and stated that Phantom Anthem delivers "a balanced, brutal, and almost relentlessly efficient 11-track set that deftly utilizes every inch of sonic space to its advantage".[22] NewNoiseMagazine offers some additional positive feedback, praised the newest album, stating "It's true, classic metalcore, with sometimes lightning fast feeling guitar work underlying harsh vocals. There are not really any clean vocals on this release, but that's not a drawback...it doesn't push the genre – other bands can do that – instead, it just perfects it."[23] Ultimate Guitar wrote "This isn't exactly a bare-bones, stripped down record by any stretch of the imagination, but it feels a bit more in line with the band's more respected peers that may be seen by some as "classics" in the genre, and has just enough of a progressive, melodic touch to it to keep the album interesting the whole way through."[24]

Wall of Sound also praised the album stating "This album twists and turns, combining the heaviest metal with the tastiest jazz infused licks and almost orchestral arrangements. It’s an angry album for angry times, with strong and powerful messages without becoming preachy. If the boys deserved a Grammy nomination for 'Identity' they deserve a win for ‘Phantom Anthem’.[25] The Music added "Here’s yet another fantastic August Burns Red album that will bring in newer, eager fans and will delight the older vanguard who have been around ever since 'Messengers."[26]

Accolades

August Burns Red received a Grammy nomination for their song "Invisible Enemy" under the "Best Metal Performance" category.[27]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."King of Sorrow"4:05
2."Hero of the Half Truth"5:03
3."The Frost"4:46
4."Lifeline"5:34
5."Invisible Enemy"4:37
6."Quake"4:08
7."Coordinates"5:11
8."Generations"6:00
9."Float"4:15
10."Dangerous"4:23
11."Carbon Copy"5:39
Total length:53:41

Personnel

August Burns Red

  • Jake Luhrs – lead vocals
  • JB Brubaker – lead guitar
  • Brent Rambler – rhythm guitar
  • Dustin Davidson – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Greiner – drums, piano

Additional musicians

  • Taylor Brandt – violin on "Float", "Generations", and "The Frost"
  • Grant McFarland – production, engineering, mixing, cello on "Generations", "Coordinates", "Dangerous", "Float", "The Frost" and "King of Sorrow"

Additional personnel

  • Carson Slovak – production, engineering, mixing
  • Bob McCoy – assistant engineering
  • Troy Glessner – mastering

Charts

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[28]46
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[29]40
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[30]57
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[31]58
New Zealand Heatseeker Albums (RMNZ)[32] 10
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[33]56
US Billboard 200[34]19
US Top Christian Albums (Billboard)[35]1
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[36]5
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[37]4

References

  1. ↑ "August Burns Red - Fearless Records". Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  2. ↑ "August Burns Red Confirm New Album Title, First Single Set To Debut". Theprp.com. July 26, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  3. ↑ Dickman, Maggie (July 27, 2017). "August Burns Red announce new album, debut striking new song Invisible Enemy". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  4. ↑ "August Burns Red & Camp Bow on Top Christian Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 Wiederhorn, Jon (November 7, 2017). "August Burns Red's JB Brubaker and Brent Rambler Talk New Album, 'Phantom Anthem'". Guitar World. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Gonzalez, Patty. "August Burns Red • GRIMM Gent". GRIMM Gent. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  7. ↑ Peters, Tabitha (March 30, 2018). "August Burns Red Interview with Guitarist "JB" Brubaker on 'Phantom Anthem', Resolutions and Between the Buried and Me [w/ Audio]". V13 Media. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Full Metal Jackie (December 14, 2017). "August Burns Red's Jake Luhrs on Secular + Spiritual Appeal". Loudwire. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  9. ↑ DiVita, Joe (July 27, 2017). "August Burns Red Announce New Album, Issue 'Invisible Enemy' Video". Loudwire. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  10. ↑ Camp, Zoe. "Hear August Burns Red's Djent-Flavored New Song "The Frost"". Revolver. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  11. ↑ wookubus (September 18, 2017). "August Burns Red Premiere "The Frost" Music Video". Theprp.com. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  12. ↑ "AUGUST BURNS RED Releases 'King Of Sorrow' Video". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. May 9, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  13. ↑ Hill, John (September 29, 2017). "August Burns Red Announce Winter 2018 Tour with Born of Osiris". Loudwire. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Phantom Anthem - August Burns Red - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  15. ↑ Christopher Monger, James. "Phantom Anthem". AllMusic. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  16. ↑ Slessor, Dan (October 6, 2017). "August Burns Red – Phantom Anthem". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  17. ↑ "August Burns Red, 'Phantom Anthem' Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com.
  18. ↑ Barbour, Rob (September 8, 2017). "August Burns Red - Phantom Anthem album review". Louder.
  19. ↑ "Album Review: August Burns Red - 'Phantom Anthem'". The Music.
  20. ↑ "August Burns Red: Phantom Anthem Review". ultimate-guitar.com.
  21. ↑ "August Burns Red – Phantom Anthem (Album Review)". Wall Of Sound.
  22. ↑ "Phantom Anthem - August Burns Red - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Album Review: August Burns Red - Phantom Anthem". NewNoiseMagazine. October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  24. ↑ "August Burns Red: Phantom Anthem Review". ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  25. ↑ "August Burns Red – Phantom Anthem (Album Review)". wallofsoundau.com. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Album Review: August Burns Red - 'Phantom Anthem'". the music.com.au. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  27. ↑ Lynch, Joe. "Grammys 2018: See the Complete List of Nominees". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – August Burns Red – Phantom Anthem". Hung Medien.
  29. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – August Burns Red – Phantom Anthem" (in German). Hung Medien.
  30. ↑ "August Burns Red Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
  31. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – August Burns Red – Phantom Anthem" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  32. ↑ "NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – August Burns Red – Phantom Anthem". Hung Medien.
  34. ↑ "August Burns Red Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  35. ↑ "August Burns Red Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard.
  36. ↑ "August Burns Red Chart History (Digital Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original.
  37. ↑ "August Burns Red Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard.
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