Colors II is the tenth studio album by the American progressive metal band Between the Buried and Me. It was released on August 20, 2021 through Sumerian Records, their second and final release with the label, after the two-part album Automata I and II. It serves as a direct follow-up to their 2007 album Colors. It is also the band's last album to feature rhythm guitarist Dustie Waring after his dismissal from the band in 2023.
Background In regards of the conception of the album, vocalist Tommy Giles Rogers Jr. explained:
Guitarist Paul Waggoner added:
Concept About the concept, Rogers commented:
And about the track "Fix the Error", he shared:
Release and promotion The first single "Fix the Error" was released on June 25, 2021. An animated music video was released for the song on July 7, 2021, animated by Tony Celano. The second single "Revolution in Limbo" was released on July 23, 2021. A music video for "The Future Is Behind Us" was released on August 20, 2021, the same date as the album release.
Critical reception
The album received generally positive reviews from music critics upon its release. On review aggregator Metacritic, the album holds a score of 68 out of 100 based on four reviews.
Kerrang! gave the album 4 out of 5 with writer James Hickie stating: "Unsurprisingly, at 80 minutes long, and with exhaustive closing track 'Human Is Hell (Another One with Love)' taking up 15 of those, it's entirely too much music to wrestle with on cursory listens, and requires serious dedication, though that's no bad thing in an age when streaming has fundamentally altered the attention span. As a result, the uninitiated are likely to be overwhelmed by such a glut of material, particularly when it takes so many stylistic detours and about-turns. It's worth the endeavour, though, because there's some sublime music here, deep and diverse, which has plenty to offer nerds and newbies alike."
Metal Hammer gave the album a positive review, stating: "In being so loyal to the structure of what's come before, Colors II doesn't reinvent progressive metal like its predecessor, but by all other metrics, it lives up to its lineage. It's the only album to ever recapture Colors brand of restlessness, reaffirming that BTBAM are once-in-a-lifetime masterminds."
Accolades Publication Accolade RankConsequence Top 30 Metal & Hard Rock Albums Loudwire The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021 Metal Hammer Top 10 Prog Metal Albums of 2021 PopMatters The 75 Best Albums of 2021 PopMatters The 10 Best Progressive Rock/Metal Albums of 2021 Prog Top 20 Albums of 2021 Loudwire The 35 Best Metal Songs of 2021 ("Fix the Error")
Track listing
Personnel Credits for Colors II adapted from liner notes.(2021). "Colors II liner notes". In Colors II [CD booklet]. Sumerian.
Between the Buried and Me Tommy Giles Rogers Jr. – vocals, keyboards Paul Waggoner – lead guitar Dustie Waring – rhythm guitar Dan Briggs – bass, keyboards Blake Richardson – drums, harsh vocals on "Revolution in Limbo"
Additional musicians Mike Portnoy – first drum solo on "Fix the Error" Navene Koperweis – second drum solo on "Fix the Error" Ken Schalk – third drum solo on "Fix the Error"
Production Jamie King – production, engineering Jens Bogren – mixing Richardo Borges – mixing Tony Lindgren – mastering Corey Meyers – photography, layout, design Jason Prushko – engineering Thomas Cuce – engineering Aaron Strelecki – photography
Charts + Chart performance for Colors II Chart (2021) Peakposition
References