Pennsylvania-based metalcore band August Burns Red, comprised of lead singer Jake Luhrs, drummer Matthew (Matt) Greiner, rhythm guitarist Brent Rambler, bassist Dustin Davidson, and lead guitarist John Benjamin "JB" Brubaker, is a true gift to hard rock fans, who feel there aren't many band options (a completely false notion).
August Burns Red is one popular group that isn't afraid to showcase its faith. Their music proves the fact--and so does their personal life. Jake Luhrs has always been open about his own spiritual journey and Christian faith. He founded the organization HeartSupport in 2011 as an outreach. To further the organization's cause, he wrote the devotional Mountains: 25 Devotionals with Jake Luhrs in 2018. Matt Greiner co-hosts the Holy Ghost Notes podcast, where he discusses faith, music, and life with guests from all over. He also plays music for his church's worship team occasionally.
The band recently released Leveler (10th Anniversary Edition), a re-recording of their fourth studio album, Leveler. To celebrate such a release, I thought it would be a good time to look at their discography and highlight some of their best songs, alongside some standout tracks from the new re-recorded record.
"Empire"
Easily one of the most popular songs from their fourth album, Leveler, is "Empire." JB Brubaker's solo is one of the most beloved and iconic guitar solos for August Burns Red alone. "Empire" is also one of their only songs that contain significant anthemic "whoa" sections vocally. The new, re-recorded version adds more harmony to the vocals as well as another layer to the solo. This is definitely a repeatable--and memorable--track.
In an interview with ReviewRinseRepeat, Matt says, "the song portrays a God-given creativity that should be used for bringing about purpose but is so often distorted and manipulated."
Standout Lyric: "Ingenuity is so cunning/Innovation is not ours/Creativity is a luxury/We build with our hands/What we have in our hearts."
"Internal Cannon"
August Burns Red has the talent of weaving melodic elements into their aggressive music. "Internal Cannon" is a great example. It features a great usage of their stripped-back, simple chord progression (usually following the bridge of a breakdown), which evolves into a flurry of sound (this is the signature arrangement of the band). Leveler (10th Anniversary Edition) changes the solo up a bit and adds lead vocalist Matthew K. Heafy from the metal band Trivium on the guitar and vocals. It's definitely different--but in a good way.
Standout Lyric: "And here I go, off to make a change. I'm screaming... screaming revival/All of my strength, all of my might, will go into this to take back my life."
"Leveler"
August Burns Red's music wrestles with spiritual struggles with such conviction and brutal honesty. The title track from Leveler proves this well. This song carries with it a message of forgiveness in the midst of deep hurt and betrayal. I love the intense bridge section that echoes Isaiah 26:5-7.
Standout Lyric: "The victim in me is dead. I am reborn/So even though you call me self-righteous and call my beloved treacherous/there is one thing to take away/Leveler, make level the road for the righteous."
"White Washed"
From August Burns Red's third album,Constellations, "White Washed" is a song that has become a staple for the band. The album is the second to receive the "remix" treatment (following their second album, Messengers). Unlike Leveler (10th Anniversary Edition), which is a re-recording from the ground up, the remixes are modified versions of the existing tracks.
The remix on Constellations improves the soundstage overall for the record. It shows a clearer distinction between Jake and Dustin Davidson's vocals as well as more distinction between guitar and bass. With a song whose message is so direct, additional clarity from the instrumentation is welcome. August Burns Red directly tackles hypocrisy with this one and couldn't be any bolder.
Standout Lyric: "It breaks your heart to see me consume/But it shatters mine to see people follow you/Ask me to be blameless/But who are you to decide what's right?/Don't say another word, you've crossed the line!"
"Composure"
The road to recovery is often a very difficult one. Whether you're recovering from a physical coping mechanism or an addiction, August Burns Red strives to speak hope into difficult situations. "Composure," from the band's album Messengers, received a remix in 2016. "Composure" feels more full, especially improving the drums.
"Composure" hits where it hurts in order to inject hope into a hopeless situation. People who struggle with cutting themselves will hear the sympathy with the lines "Roll down those sleeves, don't let them see how you've coped/It's not the first time/And they're getting deeper." But the song's ending is where hope comes through. This back-and-forth lyricism is always captivating.
Standout Lyric: "Life can be overwhelming/but don't turn your back on the strongest crutch you've ever had/wave goodbye to the past, you've got your whole life to lead/it's time to gain some ground."
"Provision"
August Burns Red's Rescue and Restore album saw a jump in production quality, which was noticeable by many fans--at the time of release and now, looking back. "Provision," the album opener, is introspective with confession and vulnerability. It truly sets the standard for the rest of the record and remains one of the best openers for the band.
Standout Lyric: "The way up is down/Truth is found/When life throws you out and kicks you to the curb/I'm just as much the problem as the man behind bars/He did with his business what I do in my heart."
"Martyr"
August Burns Red is one of the leading metalcore bands when it comes to a technicality in their music. But there are plenty of fans who enjoy a simpler song that still retains the band's best. "Martyr" is a prime example of a song that isn't overly technical or complex, yet is still great and hits hard. From the album, Found In Far Away Places, this song is an excellent introductory one for new fans.
Standout Lyric: "You're taking steps on a fine line/So you don't have to choose a side/Good deeds are not recognized/When the heart's intent is full of pride."
"Invisible Enemy"
The band's eighth studio album, Phantom Anthem, was a monumental one for them. The lead single, "Invisible Enemy" was nominated for "Best Metal Performance" in the 2018 Grammy Awards (following their 2016 nomination) and peaked at #1 on Billboard's US Christian Albums, #4 on the US Top Rock Albums, and #19 overall on Billboard's 200.
"Invisible Enemy" has a creative music video - a puppet marionette style. One of the best parts of the song is Jake's passionate and extended scream after the bridge. About that, he shared with Billboard that "in the lyric, we're talking about being surrounded by pain. So I really wanted to convey that, you know? That this is really hurting and it's making me frustrated and it's painful. It's a painful scream."
Standout Lyric: "What lies ahead you thought you'd never see/No one wants to end up in the clouds/You can't lose a battle you could never win/You can't finish a fight without the strength within."
"Lighthouse"
One of the most common styles in metalcore music is the repeated, singing chorus backed by screaming verses. August Burns Red has rarely followed this formula in their music, which is part of what makes them stand out. Their intelligent, conversational songwriting doesn't normally lend to that. "Lighthouse," from the album Guardians, is an exception.
About the message of the catchy song, Brent Rambler shared with Apple Music that "'Lighthouse' is a song that is critical towards the church, which is supposed to be compassionate towards those in need. It's also about how you don't have to throw money at something to be generous--it's more important to give your heart to something than it is to just throw money at it and hope it goes away."
Standout Lyric: "Passion in action is compassion (Compassion)/Love is greater than what it's made of (It's made of)/It will cost you" and "Take another look around/There's so much lost to be found."
Ryan Adams lives with his family in Montana. He has been NRT's Rock Reporter since 2018.
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