August Burns Red
Leveler
Hassle Records

Wow, this is a bit tasty isn’t it? Let’s not beat around the bush here, Leveler, the fourth and latest album from metalcore heavyweights August Burns Red is most definitely the album they have been promising since their inception over a decade ago. Kicking off with the ground-shaking Empire, Levelers doesn’t waste any time in grabbing your attention.

Now, we all know there needs to be much more to metal these days than forty minutes jammed with an endless barrage of breakdowns and shredding and, thankfully, this is something the August Burns Red boys have addressed. Take Internal Cannon for example where the inclusion of mellower, more atmospheric sections and the almost flamenco-esque passages (which may sound weird but, trust us, do work), give their generally raging sound a whole new dimension and ensure that you will be well and truly paying attention. You see, for all the quality metal on show here, its these little surprises which set Levelers apart from most of the other shredathons out there although, when the band open the throttle and really go for it, on the blazing Pangea of the brain-mangling ferocity of 40 Nights, there is very little you can fault them on. In fact, having said that, there is little at all to be picked at here. From the quality of the shredding metal, the sparse but effective use of breakdowns and the layers of highly effective atmospherics, Levelers comes very close to being an absolutely flawless album.

The album surges towards its conclusion in pretty much the same way it started, all guns blazing, with the white-knuckle Boys Of Fall and the grinding, punishing title track ensuring your final moments in the company of this album are spent with your head banging, your ears bleeding and your throat hoarse from screaming along to this breathtaking masterpiece.

Buy this album here.

Review by Graham Finney