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.
Empire
August Burns Red Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our buildings rival the heavens
Our bridges span the seas
Ingenuity is so cunning
Innovation is not ours
Creativity is a luxury
We build with our hands
What we have in our hearts
Fight the avalanche
You'll be buried every time
We run and run and run
Keep falling behind
Fight the avalanche
You'll be buried every time
We run and run and run
Always last in line
Before lines were lines
Before time was time
The author wrote a story
In the sky and earth below
Little do we know
We have only what we're given
Light up the sky, light up the sky
We're going where no man
Little do we know
We have only what we're given
Light up the sky
We're going where no man's forgotten
All you are is all we want
It burns inside us all
We're finding heart in giving soul
We're walking home into thin air singing
We are justice fighters with faces of fire
Many walk away, but we stand firm
We are justice fighters with faces of fire
Our decisions affect our descendants
We are justice fighters with faces of fire
Skyscrapers, earth movers, ground breakers
Our footsteps, bringing purpose, changing history
Skyscrapers, earth movers, ground breakers
Our footsteps, bringing purpose, changing history
The song "Empire" by August Burns Red is a commentary on society's obsession with progress and innovation. The lyrics describe the construction of towering skyscrapers and expansive bridges, highlighting humanity's ability to create impressive structures. However, the band questions whether these accomplishments truly represent progress, as they come at the expense of neglecting creativity and innovation. The line "innovation is not ours, creativity is a luxury" suggests that innovation has become a commodity and creativity is no longer valued.
The chorus of the song serves as a warning against blindly rushing towards progress. The phrase "fight the avalanche, you'll be buried every time" represents the danger of becoming too focused on success at the expense of self-care and balance. The band urges their listeners to slow down and consider the consequences of their actions, warning that those who don't will be left constantly playing catch up and "always last in line."
The bridge of the song takes a philosophical turn, reflecting on the idea that everything we have is simply borrowed from the universe. The lyrics "little do we know, we have only what we're given" suggest that we must appreciate and make the most of what we have rather than constantly striving for more. The song ends on a note of hope, highlighting the importance of standing up for justice and making decisions that positively affect future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Skyscrapers, earth movers, ground breakers
We are builders of great things, shaping the world around us, from towering skyscrapers to massive earth-moving machines.
Our buildings rival the heavens
Our creations are so incredible, they seem to reach up to the sky itself.
Our bridges span the seas
The connections we make between people and places are so strong and dependable, they can cross even the widest oceans.
Ingenuity is so cunning
Our intelligence and resourcefulness is almost sneaky in the ways we find new solutions and create things others never thought possible.
Innovation is not ours
While we're great at improving and advancing existing ideas, we recognize that true innovation often comes from elsewhere.
Creativity is a luxury
We don't always have the luxury to be creative or take risks, since we're focused on practical building and construction.
We build with our hands
Our work is literal and tangible, created through the sweat and strength of our own bodies and minds.
What we have in our hearts
Our passion and motivation drive us to build and create even when the work is difficult or the outcomes uncertain.
Fight the avalanche
We must fight against the forces around us that can easily overwhelm and bury us.
You'll be buried every time
If we don't continuously fight against these forces, we'll be lost and forgotten.
We run and run and run
Despite our efforts, it often feels like we're in a constant race that we can't win.
Keep falling behind
No matter how much we try to keep up, we're always a step behind.
Always last in line
Our hard work often goes unrecognized, leaving us at the back of the pack.
Before lines were lines
Long before we created boundaries and borders, a great story was already being written across the world.
Before time was time
Long before we existed or measured time, the world was already in motion and full of wonder.
The author wrote a story
The natural world and its endless possibilities are the work of an incredible author, greater than anything we could imagine.
In the sky and earth below
This story is present both far above us, in the vast of expanse of the sky, and right beneath our feet.
Little do we know
There's so much more to this story than we can ever truly comprehend or understand.
We have only what we're given
Even though we can never fully grasp the extent of the world, we must make the most of the tools and abilities we have been given.
Light up the sky, light up the sky
As we continue to explore and discover everything around us, we must also shine a light on the beauty and wonder that already exists.
We're going where no man
We're pushing the limits of what we thought was possible, exploring and creating things that no one has ever seen before.
We're going where no man's forgotten
In everything we do, we hope to leave a lasting impact and inspire others to continue the story that we've begun.
All you are is all we want
We don't need grandiose things or material possessions; we're driven by a deep desire to make a difference and leave a mark.
It burns inside us all
This passion and sense of purpose is something we all share, deep down inside.
We're finding heart in giving soul
Our work is more than just building things; it's about creating connections and community.
We're walking home into thin air singing
We're walking towards our ultimate goal fearlessly and with joy, leaving behind anything that might hold us back.
We are justice fighters with faces of fire
We will fight tirelessly for what's right, with the passion and commitment of a flame that burns hot and bright.
Many walk away, but we stand firm
While others might give up or give in, we will always maintain our resolve and dedication to the cause.
Our decisions affect our descendants
We recognize that everything we do today affects not only the here and now, but the generations that will come after us.
Our footsteps, bringing purpose, changing history
Every step we take is imbued with meaning and significance, shaping the world around us in ways that will be felt for centuries to come.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: BRENT RAMBLER, DUSTIN DAVIDSON, JAKE LUHRS, JOHN BRUBAKER, MATT GREINER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mitchell Comrie
Lyrics:
Skyscrapers, earth movers, ground breakers
Our buildings rival the heavens
Our bridges span the seas
Ingenuity is so cunning
Innovation is not ours
Creativity is a luxury
We build with our hands
What we have in our hearts
Fight the avalanche
You'll be buried every time
We run and run and run
Keep falling behind
Fight the avalanche
You'll be buried every time
We run and run and run
Always last in line
Before lines were lines
Before time was time
The author wrote a story
In the sky and earth below
Little do we know
We have only what we're given
Light up the sky, light up the sky
We're going where no man
Little do we know
We have only what we're given
Light up the sky
We're going where no man's forgotten
All you are is all we want
It burns inside us all
We're finding heart in giving soul
We're walking home into thin air singing
We are justice fighters with faces of fire
Many walk away, but we stand firm
We are justice fighters with faces of fire
Our decisions affect our descendants
We are justice fighters with faces of fire
Skyscrapers, earth movers, ground breakers
Our footsteps, bringing purpose, changing history
Skyscrapers, earth movers, ground breakers
Our footsteps, bringing purpose, changing history
Maggie P
Think about it.. The level of skill these guys have and their hearts for playing are extremely high. And the lyrics. They aren't just singing "baby baby" over and over again. What they sing about has a message and a meaning. And in my opinion, that's what makes this music truly amazing. Plus they're just awesome.
Louie McClellan
So true! not like the juvenile rap shit that so many people think is hard and thought-provoking. Metal and punk music remains the most balls-out-in-your-face musical composition!
Donxcore
After all those years still one of the best metalcore songs ever .
Metal555Fan
I have a huge amount of respect for these guys, they just have so much talent. I may not listen to Metalcore that much these days but these guys were a huge part of my life and youth back in High-school. Keep up the amazing work ABR, loved the new single from their upcoming album as well!
Leb
Metal555Fan Yeah, I'm mostly in the BDM sections of music, but I do have those days where I have to revisit my old favorite bands from highschool as well. haha.
Metal555Fan
Mr Leb I couldn't agree more man! It actually feels pretty good and "refreshing" in a way, ahah.
Dimitri Josephine
couldnt agree more!
Tessa Marie
agreed agreed it's like taking me back listening to these guys
Geo Individuali
Dimitri Josephine
April Rosa
My forever band. Words cannot describe my love for them!