Afraid of Heights (Billy Talent album)

Afraid of Heights is the fifth studio album by the Canadian rock band Billy Talent, released on July 29, 2016. It is the band's first album in four years following 2012's Dead Silence.

Afraid of Heights
Studio album by Billy Talent
Released	July 29, 2016
Recorded	January–April 2016
Studio	Revolution Recording, Toronto and Dudebox Studios, Toronto
Genre	Alternative rock, post-hardcore, punk rock
Length	48:54
Label	Warner Music Canada, The End
Producer	Ian D'Sa
Billy Talent chronology
Hits (2014) Afraid of Heights (2016) Crisis of Faith (2022)
Singles from Afraid of Heights
"Afraid of Heights" Released: May 12, 2016 "Louder than the DJ" Released: June 3, 2016 "Ghost Ship of Cannibal Rats" Released: July 27, 2016

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

It is the first album recorded without drummer Aaron Solowoniuk who had suffered a multiple sclerosis relapse and had to take a hiatus from recording and performing to focus on his health. Jordan Hastings of Alexisonfire and Say Yes recorded the drums for the album and played on the supporting tour. The album sold approximately 53,000 units in its first week.^{[citation needed]}

Recording and release

On January 5, 2016, the band posted a photo of a Condenser microphone on their Facebook page, with the caption "It begins", alluding to the beginning of the recording for the album.^[2] On January 15, 2016, drummer Aaron Solowoniuk announced through a YouTube video that he would not be able to play drums for the foreseeable future due to a multiple sclerosis relapse. He also announced that Alexisonfire drummer, Jordan Hastings, would be recording the new album with the band, as well as performing on the tour supporting the album, though Solowoniuk would still be in the studio with the band and involved in a smaller capacity.^[3]

On May 12, 2016, the band released the first single off the album – "Afraid of Heights", for free streaming on Alternative Press.^[4][5] A day later, the single was released through YouTube, iTunes, Spotify and other digital retailers.^[6]

On June 3, 2016, the band released a lyric video for the album's second single – "Louder than the DJ".^[7][8] The song was performed live for the first time, a few days earlier, along with the first single "Afraid of Heights" and another new song – "Big Red Gun", on the band's first tour date of 2016, at the Anabuk Festival in Moscow, Russia.^[9]

On July 21, 2016, the band released the official music video for the first single off the album, "Afraid of Heights".^[10] It was directed by Alon Isocianu, and is the band's first video featuring Jordan Hastings on drums.

On August 11, 2016, the band released the official music video for the second single, "Louder than the DJ".^[11] It is a live performance video and was directed by the band's drummer Aaron Solowoniuk and the band's principal photographer Dustin Rabin.

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Big Red Gun"	3:17
2.	"Afraid of Heights"	3:45
3.	"Ghost Ship of Cannibal Rats"	3:39
4.	"Louder than the DJ"	3:21
5.	"The Crutch"	4:15
6.	"Rabbit Down the Hole"	6:03
7.	"Time-Bomb Ticking Away"	3:22
8.	"Leave Them All Behind"	4:53
9.	"Horses & Chariots"	3:35
10.	"This Is Our War"	4:02
11.	"February Winds"	4:19
12.	"Afraid of Heights (Reprise)"	4:23

Japanese edition bonus track

No.	Title	Length
13.	"Half Past Dead"	3:28

Deluxe edition bonus disc

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Big Red Gun" (demo version)	3:17
2.	"Afraid of Heights" (demo version)	3:45
3.	"Ghost Ship of Cannibal Rats" (demo version)	3:41
4.	"Louder than the DJ" (demo version)	3:26
5.	"The Crutch" (demo version)	4:15
6.	"Time-Bomb Ticking Away" (demo version)	3:24
7.	"Leave Them All Behind" (demo version)	4:52
8.	"Afraid of Heights (Reprise)" (demo version)	4:23

Personnel

Billy Talent

• Ben Kowalewicz – lead vocals
• Ian D'Sa – guitar, vocals, piano, programming, additional percussion, production
• Jon Gallant – bass, backing vocals
• Aaron Solowoniuk – drums (only on "Leave Them All Behind (demo version)"
• Jordan Hastings – drums, percussion

Additional personnel

• Eric Ratz – engineering
• Kenny Luong – digital engineering
• Chris Lord-Alge – mixing (all tracks except track 2)
• Rich Costey – mixing (track 2)
• Ted Jensen – mastering
• Nik Karpen – assistant engineering
• Martin Cooke – assistant engineering
• Luke Schindler – assistant engineering
• Ryan Jones – assistant engineering
• Igor Hofbauer – artwork and illustrations
• Antje Schröder – layout and package design

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2016) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[12] 26 Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[13] 1 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[14] 66 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[15] 82 Canadian Albums (Billboard)[16] 1 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[17] 26 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[18] 1 Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[19] 9 Scottish Albums (OCC)[20] 14 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] 1 UK Albums (OCC)[22] 23 US Top Current Albums (Billboard)[23] 96 US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[24] 8 US Independent Albums (Billboard)[25] 23 US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[26] 32

Year-end charts Chart (2016) Position German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[27] 66

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[28]	Platinum	80,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.