Leveler - August Burns Red
User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6

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  1. JM23
    Aug 30, 2011
    10
    August Burns Red is the one band I always know I can count on to deliver what I want. Once again they deliver by mixing their sound we all know and love with some of their newer ideas. The one thing that has always been consistent for the band is their skill level. Technically, they embarrass just about every other band out there, to the point where you feel bad for the other bands since it was never a fair fight. Best of all, they have a strong message that they continue to express through their music without forcing down anyones throats and alienating those that disagree with them. Matt Greiner continues to improve and theories that he is similar to Jesus in looks and skill are warranted. The guitars are still very fast and heavy, but mixed in is easily the most melodic guitars. For the first time, I have found the guitars catchy in an ABR song, which is certainly hard to do in Metal. Standouts on the album for me are Cutting the Ties, Pangea, and Empire. They don't necessarily do anything differently, but they do everything so well and they mix different genres as they have never been mixed before. ABR knows what they want and they know how to get the sound that they desire. Most importantly, they know what the fans want and they seem to really listen to what fans think. After listening to Leveler, you may find yourself saying "That was the hardest ABR CD so far" and "That was the softest ABR CD so far" all in the same sentence. Yes, you will feel like an idiot for contradicting yourself, but it oddly makes sense. I can't wait to see where ABR goes from here, but this is the one band that I am always confident will deliver, even when it's in ways I didn't think I wanted.… Expand
  2. Coby
    Sep 4, 2011
    10
    This is basically the best band ever... I've thought that for about 3 years (since their 2nd album "Messengers") and coming from a music freak like me (with 22,000 songs), that's saying something. I like virtually all music genres, and this band never fails to amaze... In this album especially there are many more slow and acoustic parts where the band can really present a fuller sound, and this is where they start to draw away from (may I say) "classic" metal, and move towards a more alternative/original sound. I LOVE this band and I hope that they continue to become more popular to one day be known as "The BEST "metalcore" band ever"... (because honestly that's what they are)… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Kerrang!
    Jul 12, 2011
    60
    Effective as their hard and heavy approach is, the formulaic familiarity does grow weary at times but that won't bother their legion of diehards and Leveler might even snare some new ones. [25 Jun 2011, p.52]
  2. Alternative Press
    Jul 1, 2011
    80
    From start to finish, Leveler is exhilarating. [Jul 2011, p.106]
  3. Rock Sound
    Jul 1, 2011
    80
    As ever, their songs are structured, paced and technically advanced in a way that's leagues above much of this genre.
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