Pillar

After upping the "core" in the metal of their last album, Pillar blend that new edge with their early fluidity to build a mature sound that knows when to mosh and when to dress up. The balance gets downright alternative on songs like "Smiling Down," one of many spots their spiritual base takes a front seat. That base is a strong part of the overall design, most notable on the title track's summary of why they rock and on "Turn It Up," a clever nod to the Christian rock scene with lyrics crafted from the album titles of Pillar cohorts.