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 Если честно, то, по моим ожиданием, очередной альбом August Burns Red не должен был превзойти „Leveler“. После первого взгляда на обложку «Rescue & Restore» меня захлестнула волна пессимизма: слишком уж всё получилось просто. Вот человек с горящим сердцем впускает голубя на волю – абсолютно в духе христианских праздничных традиций. Ни тебе загадок, ни тебе аллегорий, как в прошлые разы. Даже подумать не над чем, всё слишком ясно.
Однако мои прогнозы не сбылись, и снова перед нами достойный внимания альбом, не менее, а может быть даже более интересный, чем предшественник. Ребята, вероятно, руководствуется евангельским принципом, который можно немного переиначить как: жанр для музыки, а не музыка для жанра. Да, конечно, это металкор, но об этом вспоминаешь в последнюю очередь. Главное - это оригинальные композиторские решения, гладкость и логичность связок, необычные и захватывающие мелодии, взятые из разных музыкальных традиций.
После первых прослушиваний мне показалось, что альбом слишком перегружен разнообразными «фишками», слишком много в одной отдельно взятой композиции стилевых трансформаций. Однако такое нагромождение вовсе не напрягает, за счёт создания пресловутой многослойности музыкального полотна. На мой взгляд, это основная заслуга чудо-гитариста ДжейБи Брубакера. Ему удаются удивительные гитарные партии второго плана, которые и создают тот самый контекст, позволяющий связать все эти шатания между шквалом брейкдаунов и паузами, заполненными великолепными соляками и «проповедями» вокалиста Джейка. Конечно, проговая смекалка ударника и основателя коллектива Мэтта Грейнера делает настоящие чудеса. Общие ускорения темпа действуют захватывающе, например, в "Count it All As Lost". Однако приятней всего удивляет использование в двух композициях блэковой мелодики - это «Beauty In Tragedy» и «The First Step». Именно эти композиции несут главную смысловую нагрузку альбома. Особенно мне понравилась «The First Step» с нагнетанием мистической атмосферы при помощи блэкового тремоло, каскадом бластбитов и чтением текста в конце... Впрочем, Джейк читает благодарственные стихи и в «Beauty In Tragedy», они посвящены тому, кто «to make something out of nothing»...
В итоге поставлю 9. С запасом. Можно было бы поставить десятку и „Leveler“, и этому альбому тоже, но не буду — всё лучшее, конечно, впереди! |
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( 1 )
I'd rather learn than end up in a cold covered up dark grave
These are the words of a man
Who finally let go
These are the goals of a man
Who's laid it all down
Losing it all made me realize I am the victim
The culprit, the casualty, and the cause
Losing it all led me to you (to you)
Losing it all led me to you
I'm sick
I need sight
I need help
I need you
And I'm not getting any better
I am the deceiver
I'm not getting any better
I'm the thief, the whore, the murderer
It's times like these, it's times like these
You forget to remember who you are
The way up is down
Truth is found
When life throws you out and kicks you to the curb
I'm just as much the problem as the man behind bars
He did with his business what I do in my heart
You wronged me, you crossed me
I'll never let it ruin me
Lessons are learned, deep down within my heart
In my heart
The worst men make the best stories come true
The past is a part of me, but not who I am
I realize my identity is not in what I've seen
But in what I believe to be true
I know what I need now
I know what I need
All that was lost is not lost
Even the worst of mankind can't disrupt sovereignty
You've given me this nightmare to wake me up
You say, "Take pride in the provision"
You've given me more than enough
You say, "Take pride in the provision"
2. Treatment
Stop turning life into a stagnant routine
Maybe it's better to bite your tongue
The more animosity you spit out
The less we want to hear
Maybe it's better to bite your tongue
Too many hearts filled with hate
Too many hands clenched in fists
Relax your grip
Open the gates
Open the gates
Too many hearts filled with hate
Let acceptance in
We're here to say the world needs more diversity
We're here to say we're all so sick of your bigotry
Pay attention to the choices you make
Step back and look at all the hearts that you break
Stop dwelling on what happens when we die
Start helping others while we're still alive
Stop dwelling on what happens when we die
Start helping others while we're still alive
You need to look in the mirror and ask yourself,
"What good have I done?
What are my true intentions?"
It's your right to say what's on your mind
Yet it's their right to keep feeling alive (feeling alive)
We'll carve out your heart
Rewire your mind
Stripping your soul of everything that makes you unique
We'll carve out your heart
Rewire your mind
Stripping your soul of everything that makes you unique
We'll wipe the slate clean that brought them to their knees
Will that make you believe in the tolerance you need?
You crown your religion
Instead of your King
It's time for a movement to stand up and believe,
Believe that being distinct is not a disease
Open the gates
Let acceptance in
Open the gates
Relax your grip of disapproval
3. Spirit Breaker
Staring at the walls to pass the time.
Pinch myself make sure I'm still alive.
I'm not alright.
It's become a disguise.
Friends and family, I'm losing all ties.
Staring at the walls to pass the time.
Pinch myself; make sure I'm still alive.
I've been here before.
I will survive another month under gray skies.
I'm holding on as a tight as I can.
The monotony never seems to end.
Every day feels the same.
Every day I think about the place I'd rather be than here.
I've been here before.
I will survive another month under these grey skies.
We've carried each other through and over the seas.
We live for nights like this.
The ones we won't forget. I hope to open my eyes to see this picture.
I'm throwing it all away. I hope to open my eyes to see this moment that I should treasure forever.
Staring at the walls to pass the time.
Pinch myself; make sure I'm still alive.
I'm not alright.
It's become a disguise.
Friends and family, I'm losing all ties.
I'm holding on as tight as I can.
Coming home, I don't know when.
I'm holding on as tight as I can.
I swear.
My dearest love, I woke up tired today, even more so than yesterday.
How that's possible, I don't even know, nor do I want to. It's hard to find the motivation when you are this drained. My body aches but I'm used to feeling this way.
Seventeen down, seventeen to go.
That's not so bad, right?
I think of home often and of you even more.
Yesterday I saw the sun shining. It appeared for a few minutes just after two.
For a moment I found myself smiling, as if those short rays of light were enough to get me by.
Maybe that was enough.
Thank God, I needed that.
I surely needed that.
4. Count It All As Lost
I wanna believe these words are more than letters to me
I want to believe
A covenant to stand the battlefield of time
Many times I've written words holding me to stay pure
Where is the truth in these motions
Afterwards feeling motionless (motionless)
I keep breaking my promises
I keep breaking my word to you and I
I keep breaking my promises
Once again, I'm letting you down
How must a broken man fix his brokenness if he's not the answer?
I can't do this on my own
On my own
I need you here (here)
I need you here (here)
I need you here
Each and every day that passes leaves me worse off than before
Many times I've sworn I wouldn't look back, never look back
Instead of fighting to be a man
I just wanna know who I am
Fighting with my fists leaves me bloody and broken
Almost every single time
so I'm going at it with your strength instead of mine
Please be my strength
so I'm going at it with your strength instead of mine
Please be my strength
I need you here
I need you here!
I've carried this burden long enough
With a heart of conviction
I've betrayed us both
I have to forfeit
The shame is too much to...
Take the lead and reign over me
Reign, reign
Reign over me
Reign, reign
Reign over me
You knew you'd find me here (find me here)
It took me losing sight
To count it all as lost (all as lost)
To see that I'm finally found
Count it all as lost
There's so much more to gain
Count it all as lost
Take the lead and reign over me
5. Sincerity
[Dedicated to Todd Lankton]
Rarely the rare are seen
In the ocean of chaotic reality
This lighthouse gives direction, caution, and awareness
In the dark and distant, this man is still seen
His fierce devotion to what he believes
Is true, as he feels the weight of this collapsed nation
Staring into the face of adversity
He will remain
With courage and bravery (and bravery)
It keeps him walking towards the flames
He will remain
In good faith that he will remain
"Our existence is an imprint
We all have a legacy to live,"
He says to me (he will remain)
"Our existence is an imprint
We all have a legacy to live,"
He says to me (he will remain)
His grace is such a blessing
Surely it's something to write home about
Its presence never recognized while life passes by
Never stopping to thank you
"Be calm, just sleep
Let your heavy spirit rest its knees
You've been running for so many years,"
He says to me, he says to me
A true inspiration, a light in the dark and distant
I stop my life to thank you
You have carried me through the storm
Through its heavy winds, I stop my life to thank you
Rarely the rare are seen
What's seen as defeat is his philosophy
Better to be a one-man army
Than a cavalry hurdling the weak
He brings comfort to the masses in the name of compassion
His merit, his amour
Clears the path for the broken down and defeated
To see the masterpiece that's painted in our names
"What we see is not all we believe," (we believe!)
He will remain
"What we see is not all we believe," (we believe!)
He will remain
6. Creative Captivity
This is a barren wasteland
A lonely place
Where inspiration goes to die
Rescue the beauty that's left
Restore the character that's long since gone
Because these colors must never fade
This beat must carry on
We will fight to save this
We will fight to keep it alive
This is a cause worth fighting for
We will rescue & restore
We will fight to save this
We will fight to keep it alive
This is a cause worth fighting for
We will rescue & restore
7. Fault Line
We all hurt
We all need
We all cry
We all bleed
These dreams, these desires
Consume me
The good, the bad, the ugly
Aren't too much to take
I've been put in this position
But now I can't bear to leave
Stand here with me
Together we'll get through this
Stand here with me
And we'll wash it all away
Without you I'm nothing, yes
I've come to understand this
Without you I'm worthless, yes
I've come to understand this
I've been handed my life by you
The least I can do is listen (listen)
Pull me aside, and step inside
I'll listen to your horror stories
Let this song be your motivation
Let your life be your inspiration
You can't hide your fear in this chorus
In this chorus forever
If I could do more
I promise you I would
But this is your time
If I could do more
I promise you I would
But this is your time now
Whisper your grief
Scream your sorrow
Proclaim your love
Just don't call me your hero
Whisper your grief
Scream your sorrow
Proclaim your love
Just don't call me your hero
Tell me your stories, I'll lend you my ears
Tell me your horror, I'll make it disappear
I'm absorbing the impact of the young at heart
Young at heart
We all hurt, we all need
We all cry, we all bleed
We have hope
We all hurt, we all need (we all hurt)
We all cry, we all bleed
We have hope
We all hurt, we all need (we all need)
We all cry, we all bleed
We have hope
8. Beauty In Tragedy
There is beauty in tragedy
The heart will stop beating
But the end is a new beginning
We'll soar above the skyline of reality
And reach towards a love ever after
As we're grasping onto faith
To keep us breathing a little longer, a little longer
For just one moment with one another, with one another
This night is pulling on my heartstrings
These feelings bring tears to my eyes
To see you leave my world
To leave my side
Hear the angels sing
As they embrace you
With a warm welcome home
With a warm welcome home
Hear the angels sing
Hear the angels sing
Tomorrow, the air will be a little colder
But I'll be sure to breathe for the both of us
And the nights may be a little darker
But I'll be sure to carry the torch to warm the hearts
That never got to feel yours
I can't hear your voice
I can't hear your voice
But that's OK
Cause I can feel you in my heart
I can't hear your voice
I can't hear your voice
But that's OK
Cause I can feel you in my heart
One morning I'll wake up to you
One morning I'll hear the angels sing
On that morning we won't be worried about the weather
Nor will we mind
Where the hands lay
On the clock tower
I'll be sure to write your name in the sand
Where the waves can't wash it away
I'll be sure to write your name in the sand
Where the waves can't wash it away
Until then I'll walk
Until then I'll breathe in your name
Never surrender the dream you had for this world
To love
To forgive
To make something out of nothing
I will feel you, I will hear you,
Forever!
9. Animals
How must you feel up there?
So exalted
With such a haughty attitude
No one's inferior to your wise words, my dearest friend
Acting as though you have authority to judge
You do not have permission (do not have permission)
Who gave you license to pour hate down throats
Bringing them a shameful disposition?
Disposition
No one likes a discouraging word
Slurring out of a drunkard's mouth
Intoxicated on his own pride
Intoxicated on his own pride
How do you feel, safe and secure? (safe and secure)
You were wrong
You judge the faith, lives, and actions
Based on your insecurities
Words cut like blades to the skin
Making people numb to feeling
Words cut like blades to the skin
Why can't you realize what you are doing?
Where is their self worth now? (now)
Running miles far away based on your invitation
Cage your mouth
And listen to your heart
We are not animals
Nor are you to be one
We are who we are
From beginning to end
Don't judge the loved
Stop hating the hurt
Quit living for selfish demands
If you don't stop while you're ahead
Pride will lead you to self-destruct
Kingdom come, no one is done
All have been forgiven
We are who we are
From beginning to end
(Forgiven, forgiven, forgiven)
Kingdom come, no one is done
All have been forgiven
We are who we are
From beginning to end
10. Echoes
The pressure is endless
The tension is pounding
Life change after life change
It's too much for me to take
While mourning the loss I am forced to celebrate
Celebrate new life, celebrate new life
When is it too much?
When is it enough?
Burrow deep down inside
Somewhere, anywhere, a place to hide
I'm collapsed, about to burn
This will end me, set me ablaze
I'm collapsed, about to burn
I am about to explode
I can't take much more of this
Where is my way out?
Waiting for this page to turn
I can't even bear the silence
Where is the ringing in my ears to sing me to sleep?
Where are those who feel what I feel?
Why can't I see the lights shining down on me?
Home will always be where my heart lives
Where it belongs
But this is, this is my way out
This is our home away from home
Pouring our hearts across the stage
With every word, we sing together
Screaming our anthem with one another
The open road is what I need to breathe freely
Free me
The open road is what I need to breathe freely
Free me
Free me
Free me
Free me
Free me
11. The First Step
Without competition there is no progression
Society won't wait for statues
To break free of their brass case
Carry the point
Be the focus
Notice the inevitable
Times make changes
Humanity makes mistakes
Mistakes make answers
We live to learn
We live to learn
We live to love
We live to die
Learn to question why
We live to learn
We live to love
We live to die
Learn to question why (why)
We're so scared to take the first step, so scared (so scared)
(Why)
We're so scared
The ground you walk on isn't a straight line
And neither are the toils of life
Standing still, just to watch it pass you by
To watch the world pass you by
We are pushing for change
Waiting for the world to take notice
Breaking down barriers
As we strive for a better way
With determination we'll march on in protest
With determination we'll see this through
Evolve or die
Move on or drown
Evolve or die
Move on or...
Drown!
Drown!
Evolve or die
Move on or down (or drown)
History's "greatest generation" will be removed by the Earth's most advanced
Your battles will become our peace
Your lies shall become our truth
We will replace the old guard with the new
Your battles will become our peace
Your lies shall become our truth
Your battles will become our peace
Your lies will become our truth!
Without competition there is no progression
Society won't wait for statues
To break free of their brass case
Evolve or die