August Burns Red is generally credited as a melodic metalcore band, and have also been said to share traits of other genres such as progressive metal, and thrash metal but blending it with hardcore, extreme metal and post hardcore August Burns Red songs have technical or odd time signatures and heavy breakdowns, growled vocals, melodic guitar riffs, and complex instrumentation with a variety of influences including Meshuggah, Between the Buried and Me, Poison the Well, Symphony in Peril and Misery Signals.
While the group has stated that they don't mind being classified as melodic metalcore, Brubaker has grown to a distaste in the genre's usual bands: "I feel like anyone who can pick up and play a guitar and learn to play a metalcore riff and any drummer who can learn to play a thrash beat over a breakdown is doing it. It's almost become very formulaic, and metal to me was never a formulaic genre."
August Burns Red was founded in March 2003 when all the members were attending high school. The original practice sessions of the band began in drummer, Matt Greiner's old egg house and basement on the Greiner family's farmland. After playing many local shows within Lancaster, they recorded their first EP, titled Looks Fragile After All with label CI Records in 2004.
Vocalist Jon Hershey eventually quit the band during the same year, which led to Josh McManness to take on the position as lead singer, and after several months of playing with McManness, August Burns Red signed to Solid State Records in 2005. Hershey would later go on to form instrumental post-rock band Bells. August Burns Red released Thrill Seeker, their first full-length album, on November 8, 2005. In 2006, drummer Matt Greiner was endorsed by Truth Custom Drums following the release of the album.
McManness departed from the band in 2006, exhausted by the band's constant touring. He was replaced with Columbia, SC resident, Jake Luhrs during the same year. Bassist Jordan Tuscan also left the band in 2006 for similar reasons as McManness. He was replaced by bassist Dustin Davidson, a friend of the band. The band's second album, Messengers, was released on June 19, 2007. Marking the debut for Luhrs fronting the group, it managed to become the band's breakthrough album, reaching number 81 on the Billboard 200. The album has sold a total of 108,000 copies as of May 2011.
Throughout 2008, August Burns Red toured with several acts across North America and Europe to promote Messengers. From April to May they toured with As I Lay Dying and Misery Signals across the United States and Canada. In September and October of that same year, they headlined a tour with A Skylit Drive, Sky Eats Airplane, Greeley Estates, and This or the Apocalypse in the United States. The band also visited Europe for a month-long headlining tour in November, playing in Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden, The United Kingdom, Republic Of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and France.
After this series of tours, the band recorded two covers of popular songs. They recorded an instrumental version of the classic song, “Carol of the Bells” for the X Christmas compilation album, which was featured in trailers for the film, The Spirit, released Christmas Day 2008. They also recorded a cover of “…Baby One More Time” by pop singer Britney Spears for the Punk Goes Pop, Vol. 2 compilation album, released in March 2009.
On February 24, 2009, the band released an EP, entitled Lost Messengers: The Outtakes. It contains material that is related or was decided not to be included in the final, mastered version of Messengers. August Burns Reds' first trip to the Middle East took place on March 6, 2009 with the band playing at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival. The band's last tour before their next album release took place in the United States, where they toured with metalcore band All That Remains throughout April and May.
To promote their upcoming album, August Burns Red released several new tracks and a music video during June 2009. The tracks Thirty and Seven, Existence, and Ocean of Apathy were all released on the 15th, 21st, and 29th, respectively. A music video for the song Meddler was also released during this month. On July 7, a week before the album's release, August Burns Red began streaming the full album on their Myspace profile for a limited time.
August Burns Red released their third full-length album, Constellations, on July 14, 2009. During the week of August 1, 2009, the album charted at spot 24 on the Billboard 200. Another United States tour was organized with August Burns Red headlining and support from Blessthefall, Enter Shikari, All Shall Perish, and iwrestledabearonce. After this tour, the band joined a short tour in Australia with Architects in support of Australian band Parkway Drive. August Burns Red toured alongside Underoath and Emery in November and December 2009 as well.
The band released their first live CD/DVD, Home, on September 28, 2010. The group co-headlined an Alternative Press tour throughout November. On February 23, 2010, Constellations was nominated for the Dove Award for "Best Rock Album".
August Burns Red toured Australia and New Zealand in December 2010 on the No Sleep Til Festival. The band played alongside Parkway Drive, A Day to Remember, NOFX, Dropkick Murphys, Suicide Silence, Megadeth, Descendents, Gwar and many others.
On July 27, 2010, lead guitarist, Brubaker stated that the band would be taking time off tour to write their next record, On February 12, 2011, the band announced via their official Facebook page that they had completely finished writing their new record and that they would be entering the studio on Valentine's Day which, following into March of the next year, the band announced that the record was finished, and that it was (at that point) time for mixing. On the April 5, August Burns Red revealed the name of this upcoming record as Leveler. On May 16, 2011, the band released the song “Empire” as a preview before its release. They also later premiered three other songs: "Internal Cannon", "Divisions", and "Poor Millionaire", on May 31, June 6, and June 14, respectively.
Leveler was released on June 21, 2011 in two forms; standard and deluxe. The deluxe version of Leveler contains four extra songs, including an acoustic version of the song "Internal Cannon". The album sold particularly well compared to their other releases, with 29,000 of its opening first week-copies being sold in the United States alone. These sales had the record land at position 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. After the release, August Burns Red took part on the main stage of the 2011 Vans Warped Tour.
August Burns Red headlined their own "Leveler" tour on the first quarter of 2012 with Silverstein, Texas In July, I The Breather and Letlive. Later in 2012, August Burns Red embarked on a European tour with The Devil Wears Prada and Veil of Maya, and an American tour with Of Mice & Men and The Color Morale. August Burns Red released their first Holiday album, entitled August Burns Red Presents: Sleddin' Hill on October 9, 2012. On February 8, 2013 the band was officially announced as part of Warped Tour 2013 alongside Bring Me the Horizon, NeverShoutNever, Black Veil Brides, 3OH!3, Crizzly and Bowling for Soup.
On May 5, they announced that the album, Rescue & Restore was set to release June 25, 2013. The album debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200. On August 30, they announced that they would release a documentary DVD titled Foreign & Familiar before the end of the year.
On August 5, 2014, it was announced the band had signed to Fearless Records and Found in Far Away Places would be available for pre-order on April 13, 2015 along with their new single "The Wake".
The band embarked on the Frozen Flame Tour from January 22 to March 8, 2015 along with Miss May I, Northlane, Fit for a King and ERRA, for 39 shows in Canada and the United States, sponsored by Rockstar Energy.
On December 7, 2015 August Burns Red was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Metal Performance Category for their song "Identity".
The Messengers 10th Anniversary Tour in Europe and the United States started on January 4, 2017 with supporting artists, Protest the Hero, In Hearts Wake and '68. On July 26, 2017, August Burns Red announced their new album, Phantom Anthem, released on October 6, 2017. The first single from the album, "Invisible Enemy," premiered on the SiriusXM Liquid Metal show the same day as the album announcement.
Animals
August Burns Red Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So exalted, it's like a hardy attitude
Know ones inferior
To your ones words within the script
After it's so you have a footing
To thoughts you do not have permission, do not have permission
Who can you license to pour endowed thoughts
You are not sought justice right in worth
Splitting unified talk us home
Intoxicated on his upright
Intoxicated on his low pride
How do you feel safe and secure?
You are wrong
You're such a fake
Lies and actions breeds on your insecurities
Words cut like blades to the skin
Making people lie to the feeling
Words cut like blades to the skin
Why can't you realize what you are doing?
Where is the self worth now? Low!
What a most far a away
Based on your invitation
Heed your mouth
And listen to your heart
We are not animals
Nor are you simply worn
We are who we are
From beginning to end
Those just to love
Saw pain in the heart
Grin at me for selfish amends
If you don't stop while you're ahead
Pride will lead you to self destruct
Kingdom come no one is done
All have been forgiven
We are who we are
From beginning to end
The lyrics of August Burns Red's song "Animals" point out the flaws and insecurities of a person who considers themselves superior to others. The first verse addresses this "exalted" individual and questions how they must be feeling with their "hardy attitude." The following lines suggest that this individual believes that no one is inferior to their words within the script. However, it's pointed out that they don't have permission to pour their endowed thoughts and how these thoughts may bring shame and pervasion to others.
The second verse starts by showcasing that this individual believes they have a footing to their thoughts that others don't. However, it's emphasized that they do not have permission for these thoughts. The lines following it speak about how their actions and lies breed on their insecurities, and their words cut like blades to the skin. They're urged to listen to their mouth and heart, and that we are not merely animals or mere worn individuals. The final verse speaks about forgiveness and how we are who we are from the beginning to end.
Overall, the lyrics of this song teach us the importance of not letting pride and self-superiority govern our lives. It shows us how our words and actions can hurt others and how we need to be humble and forgiving.
Line by Line Meaning
How must you feel up there
What emotions do you experience when you project yourself as superior?
So exalted, it's like a hardy attitude
You feel elevated and exhibit a stubborn disposition.
Know ones inferior
You acknowledge others as lesser beings.
To your ones words within the script
But, you hold your own words in high regard.
After it's so you have a footing
Once you establish your position of power,
To thoughts you do not have permission, do not have permission
You think and act without seeking consent.
Who can you license to pour endowed thoughts
Who permits you to express your entitled opinions?
Bringing them all shame for their pervasion, disposition
Your remarks belittle and shame others for their predisposition.
You are not sought justice right in worth
Your self-righteousness has no moral value.
Splitting unified talk us home
Your divisive nature hinders unity.
Intoxicated on his upright
You are drunk on your own morality.
Intoxicated on his low pride
You are indulging in your own humility.
How do you feel safe and secure?
Do you feel a sense of safety or do you fear vulnerability?
You are wrong
Your actions and words are misguided.
You're such a fake
Your facade of superiority is insincere.
Lies and actions breeds on your insecurities
Your false beliefs and behaviors stem from inner insecurity.
Words cut like blades to the skin
Your words are sharp and hurtful.
Making people lie to the feeling
You generate negative emotions and force others to lie about it.
Why can't you realize what you are doing?
Why can't you see the impact of your actions?
Where is the self worth now? Low!
Your own sense of self-worth is currently diminished.
What a most far a away
You are distanced from reality.
Based on your invitation
Your behavior invites judgement.
Heed your mouth
Control what you say.
And listen to your heart
Listen to your inner voice and empathize with others.
We are not animals
We are humans who have the capacity for compassion.
Nor are you simply worn
You are not a victim, but a perpetrator of negativity.
We are who we are
We should be true to ourselves.
From beginning to end
The way we behave should be consistent throughout our lives.
Those just to love
People who are loved and respected by others.
Saw pain in the heart
Are hurt by your actions and words.
Grin at me for selfish amends
Your attempt to make amends is motivated by self-interest.
If you don't stop while you're ahead
If you don't change now,
Pride will lead you to self destruct
Your pride will be the cause of your own downfall.
Kingdom come no one is done
Everybody is still evolving and learning.
All have been forgiven
Forgive yourself and others.
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC.
Written by: BRENT GERALD RAMBLER, DUSTIN CHAD DAVIDSON, JOHN BENJAMIN BRUBAKER, MATTHEW WILSON GREINER, WILLIAM JACOB LUHRS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Best
How must you feel up there
So exalted, it's like a hardy attitude
Know ones inferior
To your ones words within the script
After it's so you have a footing
To thoughts you do not have permission, do not have permission
Who can you license to pour endowed thoughts
Bringing them all shame for their pervasion, disposition
You are not sought justice right in worth
Splitting unified talk us home
Intoxicated on his upright
Intoxicated on his low pride
How do you feel safe and secure?
You are wrong
You're such a fake
Lies and actions breeds on your insecurities
Words cut like blades to the skin
Making people lie to the feeling
Words cut like blades to the skin
Why can't you realize what you are doing?
Where is the self worth now? Low!
What a most far a away
Based on your invitation
Heed your mouth
And listen to your heart
We are not animals
Nor are you simply worn
We are who we are
From beginning to end
Those just to love
Saw pain in the heart
Grin at me for selfish amends
If you don't stop while you're ahead
Pride will lead you to self destruct
Kingdom come no one is done
All have been forgiven
We are who we are
From beginning to end
PMEdrummer NH
2:33 "Don't judge the loved. Stop hating the hurt. Quit living for such selfish demands. If you don't stop while you're ahead, Pride will lead you to self-destruct." This band changed my life, as well as my perspective. Powerful music.
Ryan Forster
I didn't really like this song when I first heard it, but it has grown to be my favorite ABR track. This band is too good.
Stronk
You're goddamn right.
Anthony goes to Tennessee
this is probably the best song they have ever made
Andrew Monk
Couldn't agree more.
Ilya Novik
The bass is outstanding, man I love the instrumentals on this track.
SeasideVultures
I feel every album has an extremely underrated gem of a track. This would be it.
swancoreguy
Sincerity tho
DrumTech
Best ABR song to date. Lyrics, musicianship...everything. I can totally feel that message they're conveying.
JLB95
Such an underrated album