In Conversation With #205 - Acres
British metallers Acres have just released their third studio album 'The Host' - their most ambitious release to date.
We all face an entity we can’t escape. It may rear its head under the guise of a drug, a drink, a hobby, or a significant other. No matter how bad it gets, we go back for more until we just can’t anymore...and nothing remains. Acres turn this universal struggle into inspiration for their aptly titled third full-length album, The Host. Working alongside producer and The Plot In You front man Landon Tewers, the UK quartet—Ben Lumber, Alex Freeman, Jack Rogers, Ash Scott—confront this universal affliction head-on with an unpredictable and undeniable hybrid of insurgently catchy melodies, neck-breaking grooves, and disarmingly seductive soundscapes.
They took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Acres, how are you? So your album is out now – how does it feel to have it out there?.
Hey! We are great thanks, how are you? It feels unreal. We are so stoked to see it out in the wild.
It is called ‘The Host’ – what is the meaning behind that?
The host can relate to any form of negative vice we carry through our lives. A part of us we are not proud of but can’t live without. Whether that’s addiction, a person or relationship. Something that consumes you at times but you can’t seem to let it go.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories you are willing to share with us?
We recorded the record in Detroit, Michigan with Landon Tewers. We spent 4 weeks in America making the album. We got to hang with his two dogs a bunch whilst recording that was dope.
What are the key influences behind the album?
I think as a band we draw influence from such a wide variety of art. It would be hard to pinpoint exact influence but I know Ben is very heavily influenced by pop / singer song writers and I grew up around a lot of punk and hardcore music and love poetry / story telling through mixed media art, I think all those worlds colliding has created a really interesting listen!
If the album could be a soundtrack to any film – which one and why?
Some violent lust filled horror
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
I have two!
“Built to bleed, here to grieve, made to hurt, until my body is in the dirt.”
I wrote these words about how I have been viewing my existence for as long as I can remember, I’ve lived with a very nihilistic view of the world and had very little respect for myself. It wasn’t until starting therapy I realised how low of an opinion I have on myself and the world.
“There’s a world on the tip of my tongue... ”
I knew as soon as I wrote these words I’d want them to open the record, it was the perfect line to introduce the themes that run throughout. It’s about what I keep inside, what I don’t show other people and how behind myself there’s a whole other person I live with. Filled with dread, lust, shame, fear, addiction and everything I don’t want to admit to.
Now the album is out there – what next for you?
We have a pretty busy touring schedule that goes well into 2026 now. So travel, try stay sane / healthy and push the record as far as it can go!
