Rescue & Restore by August Burns Red

Ambitious in scope and daring in execution, August Burns Red’s sixth album reduces Christian metalcore clichés to smoldering rubble. The Lancaster, Pa., quartet has been poised for such a breakthrough since the release of its well-regarded *Leveller* in 2011. Still, even loyal fans might be caught offguard with the genre-busting audacity of these tracks. ABR infuses the album with a rich melodic sense that borrows from rock, pop, and even Latin influences without sacrificing the assaultive force of their instrumental work. Tunes like “Treatment,” “Spirit Breaker,\" and “Creative Captivity” combine impressive complexity with gut-punching power, shifting between hard-charging rhythms and grinding breakdowns. JB Brubaker deserves special praise for his subtle and often-virtuosic guitar leads, taking the band deep into progressive rock territory. Vocalist Jake Luhrs transcends harsh vocal conventions with performances that are at once ferocious and sensitive. “The First Step” embodies the album’s fiery affirmation of the Spirit with a final volcanic outpouring that should leave listeners dazzled and ultimately renewed.

Given the innocuous, almost helpful nature of its title, it's entirely possible to not be prepared for the stampede of riffs waiting to trample over you on August Burns Red's sixth album, Rescue & Restore.

6 / 10

Simply put, things haven't been the same for August Burns Red post-Thrill Seeker, which is to say, they have been. The group found their nic...

8 / 10

If there’s one thing I can compliment about August Burns Red, it’s their consistency. They have released a new LP every two years since their first back in 2005 (the recent holiday album not included). They’ve been a reliable source for metalcore done the right way and have definitely amassed a good