August Burns Red's first outing for SharpTone and the follow-up to 2020's reliably potent and technically sound Guardians, Death Below delivers the goods. Produced by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland, the hard-hitting, 11-song set includes guest spots from Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage) and Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath). As per usual, the stalwart metalcore enthusiasts find the sweet spot between aggression and affirmation. Themes of struggle and perseverance reign supreme on blazing cuts like "Ancestry" and "Backfire," while the allegorical "Three Fountains" flirts with epic progressive metal. ~ James Christopher Monger