August Burns Red Bridge Metalcore’s Past and Future in Sacramento

Metalcore has been a significant presence in the music scene since its inception. However, it wasn’t until recently that the hard work of bands in this genre has been recognized globally, ranging from performances on late-night TV all the way to Emmy and Grammy wins. Within this genre, it’s no surprise when tenured legends uplift and showcase the young and hungry generation — which has been perfectly exemplified by this tour. August Burns Red, one of the most renowned faces of the genre, joined forces with their longtime friends in The Amity Affliction. Having both formed in the early 2000s, they are bridging their longtime core fans with the newer wave of metalcore sounds and faces, showcased here by the bands Boundaries and Heavensgate. A combination of old classics alongside newer hits, this tour represents a perfect timestamp of what metalcore has been and will become.

Opening their Channel 24 show was Heavensgate, up-and-coming heavy hitters out of Melbourne, Australia. Having released a new EP titled A HEART IS A HEAVY BURDEN, their setlist leaned heavily on recent releases. They started with the energetic opener that is “RAIN,” eventually followed by a slower, almost shoegaze dream-like atmospheric shift to “PETRICHOR.” The set concluded with their heaviest track, “A FAWN FLAYED.” With the rapidly evolving sound in their style and chaotic tone, Heavensgate’s setlist felt like a relentless barrage of their best.

Another band that has been making waves is Boundaries. Fresh off announcing an upcoming full length album Yearning: The unbeautiful after,Boundaries opened up with that album’s first single “Skies cast amber black.” Guttural, mournful, savage, articulate — all fitting descriptions of a setlist containing the best of the best from Boundaries. “My Body is a Cage,” “A Pale Light Lingers,” and “Turning Hate Into Rage,” songs chalked full of breakdowns, beatdowns, and riff insanity — all coming together to highlight how intense this set is. The pit was alive and never ending from that first scream. Finishing with “Easily Erased,” Boundaries ended on a high note with the entire venue singing.

The Amity Affliction (William Manjarrez)

Keeping the momentum going, The Amity Affliction took the stage next. While the opening bands thrived in their chaotic sound, Amity brought a more emotional weight to the stage. Formed in 2003, Amity had an insane setlist covering multiple albums and EPs with hit songs such as “Kickboxer,” “It’s Hell Down Here,” “House of Cards,” and “Death’s Hand.” With over two decades in the genre and several full length albums under their belt, The Amity Affliction showcased why they are still a dominant force in the metalcore scene. Closing with sing-alongs in “Pittsburgh,” and a sea of crowd surfers during “Soak Me in Bleach,” The Amity Affliction showed no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Whether you’ve listened to metalcore for either two decades or two years, you’ve undoubtedly heard the name August Burns Red. Headlining this tour, August Burns Red proved exactly why they have remained at the top of the genre for so long. From the tsunami of lights and strobes to the relentless tenacity of crowd surfers and jumping fans, and a pit that almost engulfed the entire room, August Burns Red’s setlist was explosive from beginning to end. From opening with massive hits like “Meddler” and “Back Burner,” and bookending their hour-long setlist with “Composure” and “White Washed,” August Burns Red delivered a setlist that reflected both their legacy and continued evolution as a band.

This metalcore lineup was an absolute powerhouse, featuring both seasoned veterans and up-and-coming acts that showcase the genre’s evolution over time. From the raw intensity of Heavensgate and Boundaries to the emotional weight of The Amity Affliction, each band contributed to the overall headlining performance of August Burns Red. Their performance solidified their status as one of the most enduring forces in metalcore.