Whoever says the metal scene is dead, has no idea what they are talking about. The proof was in the pudding on Friday night in Ottawa when August Burns Red brought in their “Dangerous” tour to the jam packed Bronson Centre.

As the lights went out, a very loud chant of “A.B.R.” erupted from the crowd cranking the energy level to the roof, and the band broke into their newest single “Dangerous” getting the crowd absolutely ballistic.

August Burns Red perfoms at the Bronson Centre in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

The band was initially formed in 2007, and have 1.5 Million followers on Facebook alone, and two Grammy nominations over the years for best metal performance for ‘Identity’ from the band’s 2015 release Found in Far Away Places as well as for ‘Invisible Enemy’ from the 2018 release Phantom Anthem.  It is safe to say the boys from Lancaster, Pennsylvania are doing things right. The band is labelled as metal core which brings the best of both worlds in fist pounding hardcore and head banging heavy metal together.

Front man Jake Luhrs delivered a punishing onslaught of in-your-face vocals, with which he could’ve literally ripped the crowd’s guts out and fed them back to them, and the crowd would’ve loved it. Guitarist JB Brubaker’s playing is a mixture of eclectic jazz-like melodies which turn into mind boggling leads, and were complimented nicely by rhythm guitarist Brent Rambler.

August Burns Red perfoms at the Bronson Centre in Ottawa. Photo: Renée Doiron

Drummer Matt Greiner displayed an impeccable performance bringing a wide array of creativity, solid timing, wicked blast beats and double kicks that go on for days. Greiner started off the encore with an astonishing drum solo, and as his solo was finished, bassist Dustin Davidson donned a guitar and joined Brubaker, Rambler and Greiner to do a cover of Legend of Zelda.

Having spent hours playing the game as a kid, it was pretty awesome to hear the band’s mash up of the epic 80’s Nintendo game tune.  The band’s set sounded solid from start to finish without having one stale moment, and was complimented by an on point light show, which went perfectly along with the music.

Direct supporting acts for the tour were Crystal Lake, Miss May I and Fit for a King.

Set List:

  • Dangerous
  •  Composure
  •  Meddler
  •  Provision
  •  Invisible Enemy
  •  Float
  •  Marianas Trench
  •  King of Sorrow
  •  Identity
  •  The Truth of a Liar
  •  Ghosts
  •  Empire
  • Encore
  • 13 Drum Solo
  • 14 Legend of Zelda
  • 15 The Frost
  • 16 White Washed