14 September 2023 – The Princess Theatre, Brisbane – words by Lucas Bell – pictures by Justin Gittins
In the midst of a massive tour, supporting metalcore titans Polaris on their biggest Australian tour to date, August Burns Red decided to give Brisbane a little extra love with a headline show at the Princess Theater. Lined up for the show on supports, were Currents, who also were on the Polaris tour, and Aussie metalcore outfits Diesect, and HEAVENSGATE. To my dismay, HEAVENSGATE ended up missing this show due to travel issues. Fingers crossed they can get up here soon, because I didn’t even know the band was touring, so seeing some of their tunes live cannot come sooner.
With a slightly shuffled schedule, Gold Coast’s Diesect came out first and honestly, put on a slam masterclass. The crowd was bouncing and enjoying the riffage. I was standing right on the edge of the slam pit that opened up 30 seconds in, and the the energy of those inside did not drop for the entire 30 minutes, as Diesect pummeled the Brisbane audience with some heavy as hell tunes. There were times during the show that I thought lead singer Damien Bigara was trying to summon a demon on stage, that’s how sick his vocals were. If you’re not on these guys now, get on it. It’s only upwards from here for these guys.
Diesect – The Princess Theatre – photos by Justin Gittins
As the lights dimmed for Connecticut 5 piece, Currents, the crowd exploded as they walked out on stage. I wasn’t super familiar with the band, outside of hearing the name floated around friend circles. But I was immediately blown away by how heavy and technical their playing was. And with lead singer Brian Wille helming the ship for the night, we were taken on a journey of some absolutely amazing songs. Much like the Diesect set, the crowd matched the energy of the band on stage, and each party was using it to fuel themselves throughout the show, in this amazing give and take connection I haven’t seen from too many bands live with their crowds. After seeing them live though, they’re going to be the band I throw around in my own friend circles, telling people what they missed.
Currents – The Princess Theatre – photos by Justin Gittins
Something I mentioned in my review of their latest record, Death Below, I’ve been a long time fan of August Burns Red. But as time went along I felt like I slowly was moving away from the band and their music. No releases have really excited me, the way I felt when I heard stuff like Messengers and Constellations for the first time. But I feel like Death Below brought me back. As the show opened with the monster riff of ‘The Truth of a Liar’, I was instantly transported back 15 years, to how those records made me feel. And this wouldn’t be the first time tonight this happened.
As the show went along, I started to “get” certain songs. Songs like ‘Invisible Enemy’ from Phantom Anthem. And ‘Ghosts’ from Found in Far Away Places. Albums that I felt zero connection with, took on a whole new dimension hearing them live for the first time. And it now has me revisiting these records, that for years, I wasn’t able to attach myself to. I felt that pull of myself in my early 20s, as to what brought me and ABR together, and those overwhelming feelings and emotions and memories all flooded back, in the best way possible.
August Burns Red – The Princess Theatre – photos by Justin Gittins
The mid to end of the set was filled with a list of potential show closers, from ‘Fault Line’ and ‘Back Burner’, to songs from Death Below, like ‘Backfire’ and ‘Revival’. But the last five songs were probably the most perfect run for the night. Vocalist Jake Luhrs belting out the opening lyrics to ‘Bloodletter’; “You have, you have picked the wrong mark” had the entire crowd moving, as the intensity kicked higher and higher with every song, including ‘Paramount’, ‘Composure’, and set closer ‘Marianas Trench’. With a massive thanks, ABR retired off stage, to massive chants of one more song. And as is customary, August returned to the stage to give big thanks for a brilliant night of music, and to close out the show with ‘White Washed’, leaving everyone in the Princess Theatre going to the Polaris support show, hungry for more Pennsylvania metalcore.
