When one talks about influential metalcore bands, it’s virtually impossible not to have August Burns Red in the conversation. Ever since the release of their first album Thrill Seeker back in 2005, the crew of vocalist Jake Luhrs, guitarists JB Brubaker and Brent Rambler, bassist Dustin Davidson and drummer Matt Greiner have carved out their own place in metal, coming out with six more albums of intricate riffs, fast-paced drumming, and gritty vocals; and as they put out number eight with Phantom Anthem, it doesn’t look like the train is stopping anytime soon.

Especially with metal bands, bringing new elements into the sound is somewhat risky territory considering fan reception; and clean vocals are one of the riskiest. Veil of Maya, known for their prior deathcore sound, first delved into this with 2015’s Matriarch, pursuing more of a prog metal/djent feel; but even with the clean vocals, there was no debating the heaviness of the album. Their newest effort, False Idol, kicks it up an even further notch, finding a balance between heavy, technical riffing and melodic, progressive soundscapes.