Leveler (album)

Leveler is the fourth studio album by American metalcore band August Burns Red. It was released on June 21, 2011, in North America (June 20, 2011, in Europe), through Solid State Records. The album was produced by Jason Suecof at Audio Hammer Studios in Sanford, Florida, marking their first collaboration with Suecof since their debut album, Thrill Seeker. It has a total running time of 45 minutes and 51 seconds.

Musical Style and Themes: Leveler continued to build upon the band's signature blend of technical metalcore and progressive elements, incorporating intricate guitar riffs, complex drum patterns, and melodic passages. Lyrically, the album explores themes of personal struggle, societal issues, faith, and the pursuit of inner peace, characteristic of August Burns Red's introspective approach. The album is often seen as a refinement of their sound established on previous works, showcasing increased musical complexity and maturity while maintaining their aggressive edge.

Release and Reception: Upon its release, Leveler debuted at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling over 29,000 copies in its first week. It also achieved significant chart positions on specialized Billboard charts, reaching number 2 on the Top Rock Albums chart, and number 1 on the Christian Albums, Independent Albums, and Hard Rock Albums charts. The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its technical prowess, songwriting, and the band's continued evolution within the metalcore genre. "Internal Cannon" was released as the album's lead single, gaining notable attention. In 2021, August Burns Red released Leveler: 10th Anniversary Edition, a re-recorded version of the album featuring guest performances.

Personnel:

• August Burns Red

  • Jake Luhrs – lead vocals
  • JB Brubaker – lead guitar
  • Brent Rambler – rhythm guitar
  • Dustin Davidson – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Greiner – drums, percussion

• Production

  • Jason Suecof – producer, engineering, mixing
  • Paul Trust – additional engineering
  • Alan Douches – mastering
  • Ryan Clark – art direction, design

Track Listing:

1. "Empire"
2. "Internal Cannon"
3. "Divisions"
4. "Cutting the Ties"
5. "Pangaea"
6. "Carpe Diem"
7. "40 Nights"
8. "Salt & Light"
9. "Poor Millionaire"
10. "Eleventh Hour"
11. "Boys of Fall"