Rating: 3.5/5
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“Leveler” is a great album for fans of the genre, and August Burns Red are clearly trying to branch out with their melodic sound, but I want to hear them better embrace the metallic side.

Rating: 3/5
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The album title is only half right; they’re still very much celestial, but far from complete. Becoming the Archetype have some decisions to make if they want to live up to their lofty Genesis-inspired name. Oh, as a matter of fact and not fiction, this review has 666 words. Like I said, me and coincidence have a funny relationship.

Rating: 3/5
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Mind Over Metal Limerick Number Two!

Rating: 2.5/5
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The Showdown are pleasers—so much so, that my new nickname for them is “The Go-Down”. Thing is, I don’t want to be mercifully fellated by Metal bands, I want my socks fucking rocked… preferably off. Everything about this band’s past screams ‘imposters’, and just when I thought they couldn’t top themselves, the photos within “Blood in the Gears” suggests they now fancy themselves bikers. Uh-huh.

Rating: 1.5/5

My original 2/5 felt generous. This is the Christian metalcore quintet’s fifth effort; if all they can scrape together is faux-brutality, tired breakdowns, and aping a variety of styles, then count me out.

I was initially impressed to see that Demon Hunter called on famed artist Dan Seagrave to illustrate the artwork for The World Is A Thorn, and then predictably disappointed as I trudged through the fifth album from Seattle’s most prominent Christian Metal quintet

The heaviest Christian metal band this side of Zao has returned. Following a five year hiatus and a supporting tour with Demon Hunter, the Little Rock quartet has released their seventh studio album. Overall, it’s a well-balanced effort from one of the top three bands to ever grace the Solid State roster.