LEVELS is a progressive metalcore band that hails from the town of Conway, Arkansas. Forming in 2015, the group is comprised of Jake Sanders on vocals, Dalton Kennerly on drums/vocals, Rob Mathews on guitar, Jager Felice on guitar, and Jacob Hubbard on bass. The group is full of young bucks, with only one album to their name from 2018. Their new single and video, “Encapsulate”, shows that they are back in high form.

The band is noted to be for fans of Veil of Maya, The Acacia Strain, and Northlane; all bands which I can see some influence from in “Encapsulate”, but not to the point where it sounds like a carbon copy. This track has a humongous sound thanks to its production from industry veteran Jeff Dunne, who has also produced for Motionless in White, Emmure, and Chelsea Grin. Personally, I get Cane Hill/Polaris vibes from the song, with an adequate mix of brutal verses and a focused chorus.

“Encapsulate” is shot in black and white, matching the dark tone of the song’s lyrical content. The brief intro features a ticking stopwatch, segueing into the track’s in-your-face sound from the get-go. There are several shots of cryptic symbols and the lens of a microscope, adding to the mystique of the song. The two breakdowns in the track are marvelous, and give the track even more depth with their complexity.

This band deserves more recognition, as my listens of “Encapsulate” had me loving them more and more after each repeated listen. This is definitely one of those instances where one can pick up on more intricacies after several run-throughs. Watch the video for “Encapsulate” above, and let us know what you think in the comments! Also, keep an eye out for LEVELS coming to your area with the tour dates (with Living Machines on select dates) below!

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