August Burns Red's 20 Year Anniversary Tour Lights Up Dallas
On a chilly Friday evening in Dallas, the Southside Music Hall was filled with metalheads eager to see the August Burns Red concert featuring The Devil Wears Prada and Bleed from Within. The energy in the air was palpable as fans waited for the show to begin.
Bleed from Within took the stage first, and they wasted no time in getting the crowd pumped up. The Scottish metalcore band have been together for 11 years but had yet to play in the states until now. Despite being the new commers they quickly won everyone over with their intense and passionate performance. Lead singer Scott Kennedy's growls were impressive, and the band's tight musicianship was on full display throughout their set. The highlight of their performance was undoubtedly "The End of All We Know," which had the entire audience headbanging in unison.
Next up was The Devil Wears Prada, who were met with a roar of applause as they took the stage. The Ohio-based band's performance was a masterclass in metalcore, with their unique blend of melody and aggression keeping the audience engaged from start to finish. Lead singer Mike Hranica's vocals were powerful and emotive, and the band's tight instrumentation was impressive. The setlist was a good mix of old and new, with fan favorites like "Danger: Wildman" and "Dez Moines" getting the biggest reactions from the crowd. The highlight of their performance for me was undoubtedly "Noise" and "Chemical"which are easily two of my favorites. Overall TDWP has not lost a single step over the years and continues to impress live.
Finally, it was time for August Burns Red to take the stage. The Pennsylvania-based band is widely regarded as one of the best metalcore acts of all time, and their performance did not disappoint. The band's technical proficiency was on full display, with each member demonstrating their skills throughout the set. Lead guitarist JB Brubaker was particularly impressive, delivering lightning-fast riffs and solos with ease while of course sporting flip flops. Lead singer Jake Luhrs' vocals were also on point, with his guttural growls,clean singing and helicoptering mic spins impressing the crowd.
The setlist was a good mix of old and new, with fan favorites like "White Washed" and "Ghosts" getting huge reactions from the crowd. "White Washed" was followed by an amazing drum solo performance by Matt Greiner. The band also included "Backfire" and "Ancestry" from the upcoming 'Death Below' album which was met with thunderous headbanging by the crowd. The highlight of their performance was undoubtedly the encore perfomance of "Marianas Trench" and "Composure" which had the entire audience singing along and jumping up and down in unison.
Overall, the August Burns Red 20 year aniversary tour hit Dallas and never let up. I and many other 30 somethings we're reliving the past and enjoying all the present had to offer. Each band brought their A-game, delivering intense and passionate performances that left the audience wanting more. The energy in the Southside Music Hall was electric, with fans screaming and headbanging along to every song. It was a night that metalheads in attendance won't soon forget, and one that solidified August Burns Red's reputation as one of the best metalcore acts of all time.