Pallbearer’s 2012 debut, Sorrow And Extinction, was a great album, and a modern landmark for the doom subgenre. But the band’s sophomore LP, Foundations Of Burden, is even better. Recorded and mixed by Billy Anderson (who also helmed Agalloch’s awesome The Serpent & The Sphere), Foundations is entirely more confident, more diverse, and more immersive than Sorrow. All the great elements of old Pallbearer are still on display — the dramatic, anthemic hooks, the intricate, intertwined guitars, the rolling, thunderous rhythms, and Brett Campbell’s keening, angelic voice — but here they seem steadier than they did before, as if they are merely the base of the songs rather than the songs’ entire being. Pallbearer are now more comfortable working with alternate textures and rhythms, not to mention bolder vocal dynamics: For his part, Campbell is plainly a stronger vocalist today than he was two years ago, and his towering performances are aided by masterful harmonies, backing vocals, and even some stunning lead vox via guitarist Devin Holt and bassist Joseph D. Rowland. Pallbearer have now released two superb albums (and one superb demo), and I’m still convinced their best work is ahead of them. But there’s no need to focus on what came before or what’s yet to come: Foundations is here, now, and its moment should be recognized, celebrated, revered. –Michael [LISTEN]