Is Leveler a good place to start with August Burns Red?

Yes, Leveler is recommended as a starting point for new August Burns Red listeners. A relentless blend of intricate guitar riffs and aggressive rhythms, underpinned by introspective lyrics and powerful vocals. Released in early 2011, Leveler is August Burns Red's fourth studio album, following their critically acclaimed release Constellations. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their reputation in the metalcore scene and experimenting with more melodic elements while maintaining their signature intensity.

Leveler works well if you're into steady pacing for focused listening, resilient themes of overcoming struggle and ideal for energetic workouts.

How many songs are on Leveler?

Leveler has 12 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Leveler

August Burns Red · 2011

48 min · 12 tracks · metalcore

A relentless blend of intricate guitar riffs and aggressive rhythms, underpinned by introspective lyrics and powerful vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Empire Start here — Opening with a powerful riff, 'Empire' sets the tone for the album with its dynamic shifts between melodic passages and intense breakdowns, showcasing the band's technical prowess.
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Internal Cannon — 'Internal Cannon' features rapid-fire drumming and a memorable chorus that exemplifies the band's ability to merge aggression with melody, making it a standout track.
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Boys of Fall — This track captures a more reflective side of the band, blending heartfelt lyrics about personal struggle with heavy instrumentation, illustrating their range beyond pure aggression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album combines technical musicianship with aggressive energy, appealing to metalcore fans while maintaining a cohesive sound.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Empire', that features rapid-fire guitar riffs and aggressive drumming, setting a relentless pace.
Several songs incorporate clean vocal sections that contrast with the harsh screams, creating dynamic shifts in intensity throughout the record.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for focused listening
resilient themes of overcoming struggle
ideal for energetic workouts
consistent energy for long drives

Maybe skip if you

prefer slow, reflective music
want instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Leveler marked a significant commercial achievement for the band.
Themes: personal struggle· internal conflict· metalcore resilience
Career context: Released in early 2011, Leveler is August Burns Red's fourth studio album, following their critically acclaimed release Constellations. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their reputation in the metalcore scene and experimenting with more melodic elements while maintaining their signature intensity.
Stylistic neighbors: Killswitch Engage· Parkway Drive· The Devil Wears Prada