Acres – Burning Throne | Album Review

Acres’ second album Burning Throne is a passionate ten-track review of love, loss, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s been four years since their debut album, and that’s about three years too long. Coming from a generation of metalcore artists keener on melody and heart than anger and breakdowns (the musical kind), Acres have created a sophomore album in Burning Throne that is a passionate ten-track review of love, loss, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the first riff, the UK south coast four-piece are determined to create earworms. Featuring Silent Planet’s frontman Garrett Russell, ‘Nothing’ showcases the band’s talents and provides an introduction to the sounds and themes of Burning Throne. Starting with a monster riff and possessing some of the heaviest music on the record, ‘Nothing’ is one of the best opening tracks of 2023 so far.

The three-song run of ‘Nothing’, ‘Burning Throne’, and ‘Hold On’ might be the most memorable run in the last year. Acres write melodies like few other metalcore bands working right now. Not content with banger after banger, the band put a gorgeous atmospheric interlude in the middle of Burning Throne, but do not fall prey to the temptation of excessive intermissions.

Cool as it is, guitarist Alex Freeman states that this album was not an easy one to write. In his words, “I had to teach myself how to write on my own again [as a result of the pandemic] and knowing that it was all on me was pretty unnerving. But I feel like the pressure of the record and the frustration of being secluded due to the pandemic allowed me to create a vibe that I’ve wanted Acres to explore for a long time, and I’m really stoked with the outcome.” The outcome is truly one of which to be proud. The heart and effort that went into Burning Throne is evident in the lyrics, supported by perfect melodies, the headbanging riffs, and driving drums.

“Into Flames,” one of the final singles released, addresses the pandemic directly. Frontman Ben Lumber explains “this song is about the fear of the unknown, wondering if things will ever be as they were.” This sophomore album proves that things for Acres can get even better than they were.

Like a cognizant houseguest, the album does not overstay its welcome. Nine tracks race by (as time does when an activity is a delight) and, like a guest mentioning they should probably head out, the clear notes of “Lost in Our Own World” begin to say goodbye. The guest slips their coat on, Acres slip a final sweet melody in overtop beautiful atmospheric guitars, and then it’s over at exactly the right moment. Burning Throne is a fantastic album, perfect for everything from car karaoke to medicine for heartache. Acres need not be worried about things being just as good as before. With Burning Throne, they have the world to gain and an upward trajectory towards that facing them.