August Burns Red have chosen “Sleddin’ Hill, A Holiday Album” as the title to their new Christmas record. The group will release the thirteen track collection on Solid State on October 09th.
According to lead guitarist JB Brubaker:
“The idea of doing a full Christmas album has been floating around in the ABR camp for a few years now, but what always held us back was finding the time and energy to write an additional full-length in between touring and writing our regular records. After finishing Leveler I finally felt inspired enough to tackle the Christmas album idea.”
“Because this was such a different type of album, I was able to get a little more wild with my influences. 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.”
“Writing metal versions of Christmas songs has always been a challenge for me because the songs are driven by simple vocal melodies with the only variety in the lyrics. We decided to take the songs and go the instrumental route – the main melodies are there, but this record has a lot more to it then that. The songs have sections of music that flow in and out of the classic melodies we’ve all come to recognize. There is a lot of substance in these songs- more than you’d find in your typical cover.”
“To some, the concept of a metal Christmas album may come off as silly and a waste of time, but I think this record has plenty of original ABR substance to interest even the biggest Scrooges out there.”
The track listing for “August Burns Red Presents: Sleddin’ Hill, A Holiday Album” is slated to run as follows:
01 – “Flurries”
02 – “Frosty The Snowman”
03 – “Sleigh Ride”
04 – “God Rest Ye’ Merry Gentlemen”
05 – “Jingle Bells”
06 – “Oh Holy Night”
07 – “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer”
08 – “Sleddin’ Hill”
09 – “Little Drummer Boy”
10 – “Winter Wonderland”
11 – “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
12 – “Carol Of The Bells” (2012)
13 – “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”
