Review: Pallbearer's titanic and melodic Heartless proves once again that they are at the forefront of the metal genre

Restraint is a virtue far too frequently neglected in metal, replaced with displays of virtuosic skill. Of course, the danger that accompanies this approach is when it becomes utterly self-indulgent and masturbatory--a demonstration of raw ability usurping the craft behind the music's creation. With Heartless, however, Pallbearer embraces these oft-forgotten concepts and, in turn, delivers a master class in compositional restraint and subtle intricacy. This does not mean that this album is entir...