August Burns Red

August Burns Red fuse uplifting intent with the punishing force of metalcore, crafting technically exact arrangements that pair piercing guitar lines—some abrasive, others tuneful—with ferocious vocals and propulsive, often odd-metered drumming. While their live sets remain ferocious, the Pennsylvania group steers clear of the genre’s usual gloom, instead pushing audiences toward personal growth and broader positive change. Their creative identity crystallized on the 2007 album Messengers; Rescue & Restore followed in 2013 to widespread critical and fan acclaim, securing the band’s inaugural Grammy nomination; Phantom Anthem arrived in 2017 and likewise drew strong notices while charting successfully. Guardians topped Billboard’s Christian Albums survey in 2020, and the group returned with Death Below in 2023.

The Lancaster, Pennsylvania-formed ensemble began in 2003 with vocalist Jon Hershey, guitarists J.B. Brubaker and Brent Rambler, bassist Jordan Tuscan, and drummer Matt Greiner. Still partly in high school, several members tracked a demo in 2004; later that year CI Records issued the debut EP Looks Fragile After All. Continued road work and favorable reaction to the EP earned August Burns Red a deal with Solid State Records, which released the full-length Thrill Seeker in fall 2005—also marking the first recordings of replacement singer Josh McManness after Hershey’s departure.

McManness’s tenure proved brief; by the June 2007 arrival of Messengers, Jake Luhrs had become the new frontman. Bassist Dustin Davidson replaced Jordan Tuscan in 2006, and with the lineup stabilized the band wrote lyrics collectively for all eleven tracks. CI Records soon reissued Looks Fragile After All in an expanded edition featuring fresh artwork and a bonus DVD. Solid State followed with the outtakes collection Lost Messengers: The Outtakes in 2009 and the new studio album Constellations. After extensive touring the group entered the studio with producer Jason Suecof, resulting in the 2011 release Leveler. The instrumental holiday set Sleddin’ Hill appeared in winter 2012, succeeded by the intricate Rescue & Restore in 2013.

Far Away Places surfaced in 2015 and included a guest vocal from A Day to Remember’s Jeremy McKinnon; the single “Identity” earned a 2016 Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance. Phantom Anthem, the band’s eighth studio album, emerged in October 2017, its opening track “Invisible Enemy” bringing a second Best Metal Performance nomination. Continuing their annual Christmas performances, August Burns Red issued the seasonal EP Winter Wilderness in 2018.

Early 2019 found the members composing material for the next record and adopting an altered recording strategy: they paused midway through tracking to revisit the songs with renewed perspective before finishing. Guardians appeared on Fearless Records in April 2020, peaking at number two on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart and number one on the Christian Albums chart. The companion EP Guardians Sessions followed in April 2021, spotlighting “Standing in the Storm” alongside B-sides, covers, and reworked cuts. August Burns Red then signed with SharpTone for the 2023 release Death Below, which featured guest contributions from Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage and Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath.