Leveler

Released in 2011, Leveler represents a pivotal moment for August Burns Red, where they began to lean more heavily into progressive and experimental territories. Following the massive success of Constellations, the band worked with producer Jason Suecof to create a sound that was even more technically demanding. The album is most notable for its 'left-turn' moments, such as the Latin-influenced section in 'Internal Cannon' and the surf-guitar vibes in 'Pangaea,' which signaled a desire to transcend the limitations of the metalcore genre. Drummer Matt Greiner's performance here is often cited as a high-water mark for the era, utilizing complex time signatures and creative percussion. Commercially, it was a significant success, debuting at number 11 on the Billboard 200, proving that technical, faith-influenced metal could maintain a massive mainstream audience without sacrificing its edge.