Review and gallery: Luke Petty

For two glorious decades, August Burns Red has been an unrelenting force in the world of metalcore. To commemorate this milestone, The Princess Theatre was graced with a one-off headline performance, demonstrating why this band remains an indomitable powerhouse in the industry.

Currently, on tour with Polaris, they took a night to set the stage ablaze on their own, drawing fans both new and old into their musical inferno. The anticipation in the air was electric as concertgoers flocked to the merch stand, forming a formidable line that snaked through the venue before the lights even dimmed. Although Heavensgate couldn’t perform, the evening’s set times underwent a slight shift, but the audience remained undeterred.

From the darkness emerged the Gold Coast metalcore maestros, Diesect, who wasted no time in delivering an onslaught that ignited the crowd.

Their blistering performance was contagious, with Gary Handelaar’s headbanging and guitar shredding defying the laws of physics. Vocalist Damien Bigara unleashed a powerful live presence, maintaining an unrelenting energy throughout the set. Keep a vigilant eye on Diesect; they’re poised for a promising future in the metal scene.

Straight from Connecticut, the dynamic Currents seized the stage, and their arrival was met with an explosive roar from the audience. Their unwavering presence left no room for doubt regarding their musical prowess. Currents embarked on an exhilarating sonic rollercoaster, delivering both heavy and melodic tracks like “Remember Me,” “Monsters,” and “Better Days.” The mosh pit churned and surged in synchrony with the band’s relentless energy.

Vocalist Brian Wille was a force to be reckoned with, delivering a flawless performance that rivalled their recorded work. The crowd chanted along to every word, even for older hits like “Into Despair.” The lighting production added an extra layer of atmosphere to their set, truly capturing the essence of the night. As they concluded with “Poverty of Self,” it was evident that Currents had won over many new fans that night. We look forward to seeing them back again in Australia.

And then, the moment arrived – 20 years in the making. August Burns Red, returning to Australia to celebrate their enduring success and to deliver a setlist that would ignite the night. Jake Luhrs burst onto the stage, rallying the crowd with his signature screams. “The Truth of a Liar” kicked off the mayhem, and fans responded with an uproarious roar. JB Brubaker shredded through the riffs with finesse, donning the quintessential Australian attire of thongs on stage.

His stage presence was electrifying, complementing Jake’s charisma as he twirled his microphone in a frenzy, delivering his vocals with visceral intensity. Tracks like “Invisible Enemy,” “Ghosts,” and “Empire” left the crowd in a state of frenzied euphoria, each song an unrelenting assault on the senses. Jake even divided the audience into two sides for a colossal wall of death, a moment of sheer pandemonium and unity. As the two sides collided, the sight of bodies, flailing limbs, and headbanging was a spectacle to behold.

With a 15-song setlist, the band displayed sheer brilliance, with “Bloodletter” and “Composure” embodying effortless brutality. They concluded the night with the fan-favorite anthem, “White Wash,” leaving no doubt as to why August Burns Red remains at the pinnacle of the metalcore genre even after two decades.

As the final notes faded away, the audience was left with a powerful reminder of this band’s versatility and enduring success. We can only hope to witness their electrifying performances for another 20 years and see them return to Australia soon. While they continue their support shows on the Polaris tour, this one-off headlining performance was a rare treat that left a blazing mark on the hearts of all in attendance.