Acres announce deluxe edition of The Host featuring a HIM cover and comprehensive tour schedule
The British post-hardcore outfit Acres has officially announced the upcoming release of a deluxe edition of their 2025 studio album, The Host. Scheduled for a November 6 release via Solid State Records, this expanded project serves as a definitive conclusion to the current creative chapter for the band. The announcement is anchored by the group’s high-energy reinterpretation of the 2003 classic Buried Alive By Love, originally performed by the Finnish gothic rock legends HIM.
This expansion of The Host is not merely a supplementary release; it functions as a consolidated archive of the band’s recent output, integrating the EP What It’s Like to Feel Worthless with the full-length album, while augmenting the collection with live recordings, acoustic renditions, and experimental remixes.
A Chronology of The Host Era
The release of the original version of The Host earlier in 2025 marked a significant turning point for Acres, solidifying their status within the modern post-hardcore landscape. Since its debut, the band has maintained an aggressive release schedule, touring extensively to build support for the record. The decision to produce a deluxe edition follows a strategic path often taken by contemporary artists to maximize the shelf life of a project while providing long-term fans with added value.
The project began in early 2025 with the initial recording sessions for the album. Following the success of the release, the band moved quickly to support the material with live performances, eventually leading to the recording of the live segments in Munich that are now featured on the deluxe edition. By incorporating these live elements, the band aims to bridge the gap between their studio output and the visceral, high-intensity atmosphere of their stage presence.
Musical Analysis: Reimagining HIM’s Legacy
The choice of Buried Alive By Love as a centerpiece for this project carries significant weight. Released on HIM’s seminal album Love Metal, the track remains a cornerstone of 2000s alternative rock. Acres’ approach to the cover involves a radical transformation of the source material. Where the original relied on the dark, melodic sensibilities of Ville Valo and the distinct “Love Metal” aesthetic, the Acres version forces the composition through the abrasive, high-octane filter of contemporary British post-hardcore.
Vocalist Ben Lumber’s delivery in the cover is noted for its range, oscillating between strained melodic passages and guttural intensity. The production choices—specifically the inclusion of thrashing blastbeats and expansive, atmospheric soundscapes—alter the emotional trajectory of the song. While the original focused on the romantic, gothic despair of the early 2000s, this interpretation emphasizes a sense of fracture and exhaustion, effectively recontextualizing the song for a modern metalcore audience.
Official Statements and Artistic Intent
Ben Lumber has publicly addressed the personal and artistic significance of this cover. He identifies HIM as a foundational influence, stating that the band’s earlier work was instrumental in his decision to pursue a career in music.
“When we were planning a cover, HIM was instantly the first band that came to mind,” Lumber stated. “They have been such a huge part of my life and honestly one of the main reasons I ever wanted to be in a band. When I was younger, my friends and I would spend hours in the garage learning and playing HIM songs, so getting to bring Buried Alive By Love into the world of Acres all these years later feels like a proper full circle moment. It’s our way of paying respect to a band that had a massive part in shaping who I am as a musician.”
Regarding the broader intent behind the deluxe edition, Lumber emphasized the necessity of thematic cohesion. “The Host has always felt closely connected to the What It’s Like to Feel Worthless EP, so doing a deluxe version felt like the perfect way to bring those two worlds together and close out this era of the band. We loved the idea of putting everything into one record, but also giving people something new with the additional tracks and different versions of songs.”
Lumber further noted the band’s penchant for re-imagining their own work, adding, “As music fans ourselves, we’ve always loved when bands give you another side of a record you already know, so it felt right to do that with The Host.”
Technical Data: The Deluxe Tracklisting
The deluxe edition is designed to be an exhaustive documentation of the era, spanning 20 tracks. The inclusion of acoustic versions of tracks like Lost and Staring At The Sun, alongside the deletetheinternet re-wire of Bloodlust, suggests an effort to demonstrate the versatility of the band’s songwriting.
- Bloodlust
- Not So Different
- Staring At The Sun
- Take My Last Breath
- Built To Bleed
- Push Me Away
- Empty Room
- Steal The Light
- Welcome To The Family
- Around Again
- Leave You To Rot
- A Different Shade Of Misery
- Lost
- Deadweight
- Lost (Acoustic)
- Buried Alive By Love
- Bloodlust (deletetheinternet re-wire)
- Staring At The Sun (Acoustic)
- Not So Different – Live in Munich
- Built To Bleed – Live in Munich
Implications for the Post-Hardcore Scene
The release of this deluxe edition reflects a broader trend in the independent music industry: the "complete" release model. By bundling EPs, live sessions, and covers, bands like Acres are able to sustain listener engagement in an era of digital consumption where attention spans are increasingly fragmented.
Furthermore, the choice to include live recordings from Munich serves as a promotional tool for their upcoming tour. By showing potential ticket-buyers the energy they can expect, the band is effectively using the audio recordings as a marketing bridge for their live performances. This cross-pollination of studio product and live experience is becoming an essential strategy for bands in the post-hardcore genre to remain competitive.
Upcoming Headline Tour Logistics
To coincide with the deluxe release, Acres will embark on a comprehensive headline tour spanning the United Kingdom and continental Europe. This tour is scheduled to begin in October, providing a runway for the November 6 record release.
The support acts—Wayside, What Lies Below, and Lifespark—are curated to complement the aesthetic of the tour, suggesting a cohesive sonic experience for attendees. The tour will hit major European cultural hubs, including London, Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich, reflecting the band’s strong international footprint.
October 2026 Tour Dates:
- 14 – Bristol, The Exchange
- 15 – Leeds, The Key Club
- 16 – Manchester, Rebellion
- 17 – London, Downstairs At The Dome
- 18 – Southampton, The Joiners
- 20 – Antwerp, Kavka
- 21 – Utrecht, De Helling
- 22 – Hamburg, Monkeys
- 23 – Berlin, Cassiopeia
- 24 – Leipzig, Naumanns
- 25 – Poznań, Pod Minoga
- 27 – Prague, Bike Jesus
- 28 – Vienna, Viper Room
- 29 – Munich, Feierwerk
- 30 – Aarau, KiFF
- 31 – Cologne, Helios37
November 2026 Tour Dates:
- 01 – Wiesbaden, Schlachthof
Conclusion and Market Outlook
The release of the deluxe version of The Host marks a significant milestone for Acres. By integrating past EP material with new covers and live recordings, the band provides a comprehensive narrative of their recent creative output. With the support of Solid State Records, the band is well-positioned to capitalize on the momentum generated by the initial release of The Host. As they move into the final leg of this era, the upcoming tour will serve as the final test of the record’s impact on their growing international audience. The band’s commitment to reinterpreting their own work, as well as the classics that influenced them, continues to be a defining characteristic of their artistic identity.
