August Burns Red - Constellations

Constellations, released in 2009 through Solid State Records, is recognized for its technical precision, complex polyrhythmic guitar work, and reliance on traditional instrumentation without clean singing. The album represents August Burns Red's distinctive approach to metalcore, which emphasizes instrumental virtuosity over the clean/unclean vocal dynamic common in the genre.

The album includes tracks such as 'Composure,' 'Marianas Trench,' 'White Washed,' 'Indonesia,' and 'Existence.' Several songs feature guest contributions, including guest vocals from Tommy Giles Rogers of Between the Buried and Me on 'Indonesia.'

One of the defining features of Constellations is its near-complete absence of clean singing, with the band relying on Jake Luhrs's aggressive harsh vocals and instrumental complexity to create dynamics. This approach distinguishes August Burns Red from many contemporaries in the metalcore scene who alternated between clean and screamed vocals.

Constellations was released in 2009 through Solid State Records, a label specializing in Christian-oriented heavy music. It is the band's third studio album, following Messengers (2007) and Thrill Seeker (2005).