A Celebration of Endings is the eighthThe band referred to the album using the working title Opus 8. This numbering does not include the soundtrack album Balance, Not Symmetry from 2019. See also: Biffy Clyro discography studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro. It was produced by Rich Costey and was released on 14 August 2020. It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, making it the band's third consecutive studio album to top the chart.
Background The band confirmed they were working on new material in an NME interview in July 2019, having released their soundtrack album Balance, Not Symmetry a few months earlier. Another NME interview in October 2019 confirmed the release of the album, with the working title Opus 8, for the 'first half of next year'.
The first single, "Instant History", was released on 20 February 2020, and first played on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show.
The album was initially planned for release of 15 May 2020, but was pushed back to 14 August due to difficulties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Critical reception
The album received critical acclaim upon release. On review aggregate website Metacritic, the album has an average score of 84 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim," based on 16 reviews. Kerrang! gave the album a perfect score, stating that "Biffy Clyro have delivered an album of restless invention, substance and style that arrives like a spray of water on the arid expanse of this saddest of summers." The Independent also gave the album a positive review, writing that the album "soothes, shakes and surprises at every turn".
Track listing
Personnel Biffy Clyro Simon Neil – lead vocals, guitars James Johnston – bass guitar, backing vocals Ben Johnston – drums, backing vocals, percussion
Additional personnel Zac Rae – additional keyboards Steve Mac – additional Keyboards Rob Mathes – string arrangements and conducting Jenny Nendick – conducting Jackie Shave – concertmaster (1st violin) Magnus Johnston – violin Perry Montague-Mason – violin Patrick Kiernan – violin Pete Hanson – violin Natalia Bonner – violin Cathy Thompson – violin Debbie Widdup – violin Jonathan Evans-Jones – violin Chris Tombling – violin Bruce White – viola Peter Lale – viola Rachel Roberts – viola Caroline Dearley – cello Ian Burdge – cello Jonathan Williams – cello Caroline Dearley – cello
Production Rich Costey – production, mixing Steve Mac – production James Rushent – additional production Chris Laws – additional programming and engineering Joe La Porta – mastering Jonathan Allen – string recording Paul Pritchard – string recording assistant Neil Dawes – string recording assistant KT Pipal – engineering Mario Borgatta – engineering Wesley M. Seidman – engineering Cecil Barlett – engineering Dann Pursey – engineering Koby Merman – additional mix engineering and digital editing Dalton Ricks – additional mix engineering Ross Newbauer – additional mix engineering
Artwork and design Thomas Robson – cover artwork Simon Neil – additional artwork, art direction Richard Welland – art direction Ash Reynolds – photography
Charts +Chart performance for A Celebration of Endings Chart (2020) Peakposition French Albums (SNEP) 104 Italian Albums (FIMI) 82 Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) 42
Certifications
Notes
References