# Thrill Seeker

Thrill Seeker is the debut studio album by American metalcore band August Burns Red. It was released on November 8, 2005, through Solid State Records and was produced by Adam Dutkiewicz. A music video was released for the opening track "Your Little Suburbia Is In Ruins".
Thrill Seeker is the band's last release to feature original bassist Jordan Tuscan and the only release with vocalist Josh McManness, as they both would later depart from the band the following year with Dustin Davidson and Jake Luhrs taking their positions respectively. An unreleased track, "Pride & Humility", was featured on This is Solid State Vol. 6.

## Background

August Burns Red released its debut EP, Looks Fragile After All, was released on August 24, 2004 through CI Records. Later that year, vocalist Jon Hershey left the band and was replaced by Josh McManness. After months of performing with McManness, the band would be signed to Solid State Records in 2005.

## Critical reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AbsolutePunk | 88% |
| Indie Vision Music | 5/10 |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | |
| Punk News | |
Thrill Seeker received mixed to positive reviews upon release.
Sean Lex of Jesus Freak Hideout praised the band's musicianship and complimented the band's sound as being "way more mature than their age. They've got the sound of a metal band that's been around for a few album releases." Lex did criticize some of the lyrics for being cynical and feeling like a "emocore diary entry" and stated that some of the music was formulaic.
A mixed review came from Indie Vision Music, with the review stating Thrill Seeker adds little to the hardcore/metalcore scene, but also said the album "is not entirely a waste of time", praising the closing track "The Seventh Trumpet". Punk News also gave the album a mixed review, saying the album "follows every single rule in the book of metalcore" and criticized the album's lack of originality. The review did praise the band for not using clean vocals and also noted the members' young young age, stating "they really flirt with breaking above the mold."
In 2020, the band celebrated the album's 15th anniversary with a virtual livestream concert, with no fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They performed the album in its entirety, featuring a guest appearance from both McManness and Tuscan. This performance was later made available to stream as an album.

## 20th Anniversary Edition

On August 26, 2024, the band announced that they had entered the studio and were re-recording Thrill Seeker with current vocalist Jake Luhrs. The re-recorded version of the album, produced by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland, and includes guest appearances by Adam Dutkiewicz on "Speech Impediment" and Josh McManness "Barbarian". On January 3, 2025, the band released the re-recorded version of "Your Little Suburbia Is in Ruins" and announced the re-recorded album will be released on January 24 through the band's own label, ABR Records. A re-recorded version of "Barbarian" was released on January 17, 2025.

## Track listing

All tracks are written by August Burns Red.

## Personnel

August Burns Red
* Josh McManness – vocals
* JB Brubaker – lead guitar
* Brent Rambler – rhythm guitar
* Jordan Tuscan – bass
* Matt Greiner – drums, piano
Additional personnel
* Adam Dutkiewicz – production, engineering, mixing
* Wayne Krupa – engineering
* Troy Glessner – mastering
* Asterik Studio – art direction, design
* Dave Hill – band photography

## 20th Anniversary Edition Personnel

August Burns Red
* Jake Luhrs – vocals
* JB Brubaker – lead guitar
* Brent Rambler – rhythm guitar
* Dustin Davidson – bass
* Matt Greiner – drums, piano
Additional musicians
* Adam Dutkiewicz – guitar solo on "Speech Impediment"
* Josh McManness – additional vocals on "Barbarian"
Additional personnel
* Carson Slovak – production
* Grant McFarland – production