Band:	August Burns Red
Album:	Guardians
Style:	Technical metalcore
Release date:	April 2020

01. The Narrative
02. Bones
03. Paramount
04. Defender
05. Lighthouse
06. Dismembered Memory
07. Ties That Bind
08. Bloodletter
09. Extinct By Instinct
10. Empty Heaven
11. Three Fountains

In an era of readily digestible music at the click of a button, it takes special ingredients to stand out from the horde. Others, however, continue to rest on their laurels.

Having become somewhat of a marquee name in the metalcore scene over the past decade-plus, August Burns Red are a well-lubricated machine of consistency, establishing themselves as one of the prime purveyors of Christian metal in a way that's more theological rather than preachy. This is largely what helped separate them from the otherwise blunt and overt pontificating of those in The Holy Alliance, but lyrical content alone can only take a band so far.

Honing their craft across a discography featuring primarily the same lineup, with their last member changes occurring in 2006, Guardians also continues with a production staff that have been making their presence felt since 2013's Rescue & Restore, after which a noticeable shift took place, marking a signature style they've held on to steadfastly ever since. While retaining their penchant for melody and odd time signatures, garnering them appreciative nods from those in prog circles, they've also become far more calculated in their delivery, mitigating their organic flow in the process. Consequently, the music therein has delved into soulless territory, something that will undoubtedly still capture the eyes and ears of anyone actively seeking out technicality for the sake of it, but for ears more attuned to catchy hooks, interesting leads, and appropriately developed breakdowns that fit the natural feel of the overall sound, this album (and the few that precede it) simply won't satisfy.

In no way is it fair to say anything critical of the musicianship on display here, as the prowess and mastery is blatant from the outset, but the shape in which it takes is entirely subservient to only one portion of the fandom, seemingly intent on highlighting that singular aspect of the band's widespread repertoire. With their obvious talent and potential for dynamic songwriting, as has been showcased in the band's earlier career, perhaps what's most needed now is a shakeup. Veering away from the progressive paint-by-numbers focus and utilizing a less polished production would go a long way in asserting August Burns Red as a more rounded, relatable outfit -- one that captures and entices due to its technical proficiency as much as its tempered accessibility.