Consider The Reckoning hard notice that Pillar is the latest powerhouse to do the Rust, Corn, and Bible Belt’s rich rock legacy proud.

The fourth full-length from the (duh) monolithic four-piece is the kind of staggering evolutionary leap all fans wish upon their favorite bands, but few ever come close to achieving.

The band matched Beckley’s adventuresome spirit on The Reckoning’s unrelenting second track, “Awake,” in which Kalel’s anchoring bassline conjures Tool’s 10,000 Days, building organically into a hammering prechorus and a soaring, screamed climax. It’s a study in patience and release, one of Pillar’s most mature, yet moshworthy compositional efforts.

Pillar do some Schwarzeneggarian heavy lifting here. Many bands shrink from challenge—give them the opportunity to write the album of their career, and they’ll be content with a passable single and 45 minutes of filler. Pillar’s not having it, now or ever.