Death Below

Death Below marks the tenth studio album from August Burns Red, representing a significant lean into their progressive tendencies. Released in 2023, the album is characterized by longer track lengths - most notably the bookending epics 'The Cleansing' and 'Reckoning' - and a darker lyrical palette that explores themes of loss and existential dread. The recording features high-profile collaborations with Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage), Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath), and Jason Richardson, signaling the band's central position in the modern metalcore hierarchy. Sonically, it maintains Matt Greiner's signature polyrhythmic drumming while introducing more atmospheric interludes and complex song structures that move beyond the standard verse-chorus-breakdown template. Critics noted the album's maturity and its ability to maintain the band's core identity while expanding their sonic boundaries into more ambitious territory.