So many refer to August Burns Red as everyone’s Metalcore dads. The band has been together since 2003 and is still after 20 years an actively touring act. Being a Pennsylvania native and living so close to Lancaster where they are from I’ve been aware of their yearly holiday hometown show. My first attending was last year. This line up has always boasted the cream of the crop of metalcore. Bands that haven’t been doing live shows in years show. This year was no different.
Once Nothing
One of the metalcore bands that doesn’t actively tour anymore is Once Nothing. Another Pennsylvania group, they have been doing one off shows here and there for over a decade. They came back for a night and opened the mini festival.
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake has been on my must see list for quite awhile now. Being from Tokyo, Japan, it’s not often you get the chance to catch them. The energy and stage presence every single member has is truly remarkable. They were easily one of my favorites of the night. I do love a good long hair spin head bang and there was absolutely no shortage of that.
Spite
This was not the first time seeing nor photographing Spite and every time I can count one insane high energy, absolutely insane angry growls and a vocalist full of energy.
Brand of Sacrifice
Without trying to, I’ve somehow seen Brand of Sacrifice three times this year. Nearly exactly a year ago at 2022 Christmas Burns Red and early this year on the We Came As Romans tour. Over the year I’ve become a fan to the point of getting the COOLEST sweat pants (that I’m wearing as typing this).
Texas In July
Texas In July is another group that doesn’t play live often. They just put out an EP, “Without Reason”. My favorite song on my playlist right now is False Divinity and they opened up their set with it. Their vocalist is also in ERRA and is on the top of my favorite metalcore vocalists. This was a TREAT for me. Shout out to JT’s ugly Christmas sweater.
August Burns Red
And finally, the boys of August Burns Red took the stage for night one of their hometown holiday show. These guys are true professionals and a tier above. Their stage presence and energy never disappoints. Vocalist, Jake Luhrs, puts on such a show and even more so tonight. During instrumentals he was doing almost interpretive dance that fit perfectly with the sounds and light show.
The merch ABR had for this weekend is also nothing short of amazing. Classy, to funny, to down right ridiculous I’ll be picking some up tonight for sure.
You can catch night two of Christmas Burns Red tonight at the Lancaster Convention Center. The line up for the evening is: Kaonashi, Signs of the Swarm, Galactic Empire, Kublai Kahn TX, Between the Buried and Me, and of course, August Burns Red with a totally different set than the night before.
