August Burns Red at Webster Hall's Grand Ballroom

Jake Luhrs

Metalcore band August Burns Red was formed in 2003 when all the members were in high school in the farmlands of Manheim, Pennsylvania. The band rehearsed in an old egg house and began playing shows around Lancaster. The band presently consists of vocalist William Jacob "Jake" Luhrs, lead guitarist John Benjamin "JB" Brubaker, rhythm guitarist Brent Rambler, bassist Dustin Davidson and drummer Matt Greiner. August Burns Red's sixth and most recent album, Found in Far Away Places, was released on June 29, 2015.

Closing a tour tonight at Webster Hall's Grand Ballroom, August Burns Red was solid but only marginally innovative. Bald and muscular Luhrs shouted and growled for the entire set, seldom mixing in clean vocals. Songs featured technical forays, with odd meter riffs, blast beats and breakdowns. Songs were built upon soaring guitar leads, sometimes highlighting twin guitars in harmony. The set consisted of five songs from its newest album and two songs from each of four earlier albums. While the fast and pounding set was performed well, August Burns Red could not help that the unique chemistry that defines and erupts into metalcore required commonly used elements.

Visit August Burns Red at www.augustburnsred.com.