After what can only be described as a five year definite break, Oakland punk rockers American Steel have surprised fans by unexpectedly reuniting to release their fourth full-length, “Destroy Their Future,” which came out Oct. 2 on Fat Wreck Chords.

“Destroy Their Future” is characterized by the same gritty guitar style and grating vocals that first caught the attention of the Easy Bay scene in 1995. It features 12 new tracks in a clean, but not overly produced, 35-minute package.

Unfortunately, it seems with these boys, the arrival of something good always comes with a cost – in this case, the sacrifice of another great band. When American Steel first called in quits in 2002, the result was a new band, Communique, which boasted three of the members and figured in a couple new faces.

Since American Steel’s reunion in the first half of 2007, the Moog-ish, new wave sounding Communique has been set on the back burner. In both cases, singer/guitarist Rory Henderson had realized the songs he was writing for the respective bands just didn’t fit. While starting a new band to fit a new sound might inspire accusations of selling out, Henderson felt the need to distinguish between the two styles by creating a clear boundary between them.

What has come about as a result of splitting creativity between the bands is instead a brilliant meshing of the two. American Steel is still American Steel, but there is no denying a certain Communique-esque influence which carried over into the new incarnation.

In spite of what a loyalist might say, this is a good thing; it would have been disappointing if the reunion of a band didn’t really give the fans anything different or new.

The basic elements are the same. Lead singer and guitarist Henderson’s voice can take the most serene moments and inspire you to take action – whether it’s punching someone in the face or changing the world. Guitarist Ryan Massey is capable of jarring even the most agreeable tune. Bassist John Peck skillfully drives the songs and drummer Scott Healy carries the band through with his solid, unwavering punk rock beat.

Following a rowdy introduction to their new sound in the opener “Sons of Avarice,” the album evolves into a piece of work which successfully attempts to branch out and diversify on each track while remaining heavy in both sound and substance.

The dark, discordant progressions of “Razorblades” are certain to provoke deep thought, as Henderson attacks right wing Christians. Yet even in the midst of his anger, there is a certain amount of respect due because Henderson is intellectually capable of differentiating between Christians who are respectful and those who are zealots.

Pop sensibility is not lost on these boys, but neither is the ability to dish out the rock ‘n’ roll. In “To the Sea,” American Steel’s sound crashes head-on with Communique, seamlessly but miraculously, without any bloodshed or broken glass.

“Old Croy Road” begins with a muted, garage-rock vibe, which explodes without hesitation into an energetic dance-inducing piece, boasting an up beat guitar riff and vocals reminiscent of an American Joe Strummer.

Finally, toward the end of the album, “Hurtlin'” takes a different approach, boasting an acoustic folk-inspired feel, clad with – is that a tambourine or accordion I hear? It also provides the listener with a rare opportunity to witness the stripped down, tender and vulnerable side of Henderson, both vocally and lyrically.

The overall tone of the album is somewhat similar to the controversial 2001 release, “Jagged Thoughts,” which received negative criticism for its abrupt and somewhat aimless style shift. However, unlike its predecessor, “Destroy Their Future” comes across much more purposeful, while still managing to be a notch up on the unpolished scale. At the same time, it also moves and feels similar to 1999’s “Rogue’s March” which makes it a perfect middle-ground between the two releases.

Overall, “Destroy Their Future” is a buffet consisting of the musical ideas that have been housed in the minds of Henderson, Massey, Peck and Healy the last half of a decade. The songs are punchy and driven, and the choruses and refrains run like melodic fight songs bound to get stuck in your head all day. For newcomers to the American Steel, it is certain to find a place in the collection of Against Me! and Alkaline Trio fans. For the old-school, die-hards, it will naturally fall into place in the discography of the band, as though it were the previously undiscovered, newly released, American Steel album of 2000.

When it comes to American Steel, one thing has always been clear: This is a band with a mission. The only question that remains is whether or not this is simply a reunion tour or something with lasting power. Let’s hope it’s the latter, and if “Destroy Their Future” is any indication, American Steel has a long run ahead.