August Burns Red

August Burns Red (ABR) is a cornerstone of the American metalcore scene, emerging from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 2003. While many of their contemporaries leaned into pop-influenced choruses, ABR doubled down on technical proficiency and progressive structures.

Their sound is anchored by the virtuosic drumming of Matt Greiner and the melodic lead work of JB Brubaker. They are often categorized as Christian metalcore due to the members' personal faiths, though their lyrics focus more broadly on universal themes of resilience, integrity, and internal struggle. The band's career is marked by incredible stability, with the core lineup remaining unchanged since 2006. Critically, they are respected for elevating the genre's technical ceiling, incorporating elements of thrash, math-rock, and even world music into their compositions. Their influence is visible in the 'technical metalcore' wave of the 2010s, and their two Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance cement their status as leaders in the heavy music landscape.