Constellations

Personnel: Jake Luhrs, Dustin Davidson (vocals); JB Brubaker, Brent Rambler (guitar); Matthew Greiner (drums).
Audio Mixer: Jason Suecof.
Illustrator: Ryan Clark .
August Burns Red has made a name for itself by being open to experimentation within the metalcore genre, and on their third album the Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based quintet continues to reach for new levels of technical prowess and musical sophistication without losing their brutal attack and apocalyptic, Christian-themed lyrics. Guitarists JB Brubaker and Brent Rambler contribute stuttering machine-gun salvos and dizzying single-note runs and drummer Matt Greiner's thrilling stop-start rhythms builds momentum to the point of ecstatic hysteria. Stand-out track "Ocean of Apathy" employs layered rhythms that bring complexity to a deceptively simple song. Although some listeners may resist the stark good-versus-evil, Jesus-conquers-Satan imagery, few metal fans would argue that, on only their third go-round, an already mature band has taken another step forward.