Anyone who know the band knows that their crushing, perpetually-evolving mixture of melody, technicality, and intensity is what sets ABR apart from the cookie-cutter Verb the Noun metalcore acts that appeared in their wake. As bands discovered the open-chord breakdown, utilizing it ad nauseum, ABR was already bounds ahead, discovering new ways of bringing the mosh and making their music unique. Whether it was from a salsa break in Leveler's 'Internal Cannon' or from riff-based breakdowns in Constellations' 'Paradox'. And that's saying nothing of the subgenre of imitators (Texas in July, This or the Apocalypse) colloquially dubbed 'Lancastercore' (after ABR and TIJ's hometown) the band pioneered.
Thus, it came as no surprise when guitarist JB Brubaker, in an interview with Alternative Press, called metalcore '[no longer] an interesting genre', continuing with 'It's very repetitive and predictable; I want more than breakdowns and pop choruses these days'. He also commented on the band's new sound, saying 'we're definitely trying to broaden the spectrum of what is possible in this music. I feel like we have to'.
So. Much. Yes.
Evolution is an invaluable part of music - bands that repeat the same old, same old are doomed to die off. Think: who remembers Aaron Carter these days anyway? On the other hand, bands that evolve, while their popularity might be more stochastic, will be around for a while as they continuously acquire new fans.
At this point, Risecore is the fad. I don't know about the future, but I wouldn't give Of Mice & Men or Memphis May Fire more than another four years before they're done. People, simply put, will get tired of what you do over and over again, grow up, or both. This is what sets ABR apart from the pack - from 2005's Thrill Seeker to now, they've made a conscious effort to change with each album - and it's been to thunderous praise each time.
You can read the full interview with Brubaker here.
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