Things may be a little dark within the world these days, but August Burns Red have the perfect song to fit the mood and they’ve got some assistance from Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach to give you that ultimate crusher you could use at this time in history. The song is titled “Ancestry” and you should crank it up in the player down toward the middle of this post.
“Ancestry” is the first single to arrive from the forthcoming Death Below album, and guitarist JB Brubaker says, “‘Ancestry’ is a complex and technical ABR track held together by perhaps the most painful and personal lyrics Jake [Luhrs] has ever written. I loved this song in every phase since its inception. From the instrumental rendition, to the lyrics and vocals being added, to finally bringing it all together with Jesse’s anthemic guest vocals, ‘Ancestry’ is a song we’ve been looking forward to sharing with the world for a long time.”
The song is accompanied by a pretty emotionally intense video as well, with Jake Luhrs experiencing a range of emotions hovering over a loved one at a hospital bedside. You can see the David Brodsky-directed clip and check out the lyrics for the song below.
August Burns Red (featuring Jesse Leach), “Ancestry” Lyrics
Left behind
You chose to leave
Now it looks like you’re leaving your family
There’s a cavern in your ribs
Where your heart used to beI’ve been picking up what’s left of you
Connecting your pieces to my memories
Hoping they would ignite some sentiment
But they won’t inspire sympathyThe hollow point may have ripped you apart
You disregard the damage you’d impart
Rest in peace to our ancestry
That you maimed and left scarredMy judgement is clouded by the blood we share
We built our truth on top of all these lies
I still see the good in life
It’s not the end, although you see the light
I’ll see you on the other sideMaybe one day you’ll care
But it’s not my cross to bearI didn’t skip a beat
When I heard the news that you
You couldn’t make it to your feet
All I have is apathy
Just another day of not knowing what to believe
Another tale another story
A lifetime of perjuryI wish I had the words to say I love you.
I’m not sure I understand what those mean when I’m thinking of youI have no words for you
When I needed you, you wouldn’t even hear it
You made your choices
You’ll live with them even if we’re goneIt’s impossible to find what’s real in all these fables
Unable to see through the resentment you’ve enabledThe hurt that you inflicted on yourself
Won’t amount to the pain of everyone else
I always wanted things to be differentAlthough you see the light
I’ll see you on the other sideWe built our truth on top of all these lies
I still see the good in life
It’s not the end, although you see the light
I’ll see you on the other side
August Burns Red (featuring Jesse Leach), “Ancestry”
As stated, “Ancestry” is featured on the band’s forthcoming album, Death Below, which is due March 24 via SharpTone Records.
“It’s no secret that the past few years have been extremely dark and challenging,” Brubaker says. “Death Below is here as a result of that time in each our lives and the emotions that came with it. We were motivated by uncertainty, fear, outrage, and triumph. I feel this is the darkest, most personal album we’ve ever written, and I couldn’t be more proud of what the five of us made together.”
In addition to their collaboration with Leach, the album also features guest turns by guitarist Jason Richardson, ERRA’s JT Cavey and Underoath’s Spencer Chamberlain. Mark March 24 on your calendar, and get your pre-orders in at this location now. The Death Below artwork and track listing can be found below.
August Burns Red, Death Below Album Artwork + Track Listing
august burns red, death below album artwork
1. “Premonition”
2. “The Cleansing”
3. “Ancestry” (Feat. Jesse Leach)
4. “Tightrope” (Feat. Jason Richardson)
5. “Fool’s Gold in the Bear Trap”
6. “Backfire”
7. “Revival”
8. “Sevink”
9. “Dark Divide”
10. “Deadbolt”
11. “The Abyss” (Feat. JT Cavey)
12. “Reckoning” (Feat. Spencer Chamberlain)
