Believer's trademark sound is intact, with a few changes and progressions, which is expected after more than a decade apart. The songs on Gabriel combine conventional thrash riffs and solos with progressive elements. Tracks like "Focused Lethality" are aggressive and intense, galloping along at maximum speed with only minor detours and tempo changes.
Many other songs, such as "A Moment In Prime" have many more twists and turns. Mid tempo grooves slow down into a sparse acoustic section before the guitars fire up again. There are ebbs and flows throughout and never a dull moment. The following track "Stoned" starts with a strange piano interlude before an ominous death metal riff kicks in followed by some thrashy parts, then those three elements come and go throughout the rest of the song.
Believer brings in several guest musicians. Killswitch Engage's Howard Jones lends his vocals to "The Brave," while Deron Miller (CKY), Joe Rico (Sacrifice) and Rocky Gray (Living Sacrifice) also appear. Gabriel is a welcome return, and Believer shows no signs of rust after being away from the game for a while.
(released March 17, 2009 on Metal Blade Records)
