Think Outside The Square

They are no longer the new boys of metal. Back in 2003, Pennsylvania's metal scene was blossoming and the boys of August Burns Red were still in school. As they worked and studied, they found that music got in the way. It was not a bad interruption from hitting the books. “I'm from South Carolina so I can't speak for the rest of the band, but I did quit college to focus on music, which is probably a similar story for the rest,” laughs August Burns Red vocalist Jake Luhrs.

Since the release of their 2009 breakthrough album, Constellations – a record that earned them a number 24 placement on the Billboard 200 – the band has found itself in strange territory. Guitarist JB Brubaker previously said it was time to break some rules. “You'll have to ask JB exactly what he meant by that,” says Luhrs. “I think he was referring to us in general and breaking the rules regarding metalcore as we really wanted to step outside of the metalcore sound. It's really us thinking outside of the square and showing how much we've grown as a band.”

Doing the unexpected and thinking outside the proverbial is the norm. After numerous tours, the band recorded two covers of popular songs: an instrumental version of the Christmas classic Carol Of The Bells and, of all things, a cover of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time for the Punk Goes Pop 2 compilation.

The band's musical memorandum contains copious riffs and breakdowns and, in true metal, thrash metal/metalcore style, it is all nicely rounded with frank, thunderous vocals. So when it came to record their fourth album, Leveler, they decided to break more rules. “We could have played it safe and just made another record like Constellations, but we all felt it was time to move out of the metalcore box. We made Leveler as mad and as crazy as we wanted. We wanted to try different things and take the band and sound is different directions,” explains Luhrs.

He makes a salient point. After around eight years and a quarter of a million albums sold, it would have been easy to retain the status quo. But that's not how August Burns Red move. Leveler was not a game-changer, just a leap forward and a tiny stride backwards. “We have a dedicated and supportive group of listeners who are generally supportive of us trying new things. Our music is progressive and our lyrics are positive. We deliver a message of hope,” he tells.

Positivity and messages of hope? Is this a metalcore band? He laughs, “We're not scary and don't wear dark or black makeup. We're just normally looking dudes who love music.”

Luhrs speaks of the band's different direction, or point of difference, particularly on Leveler. In theory anyway, the points of difference are thus – the drums patterns are faster, the heavy parts are heavier. Of course, shifting direction – albeit slightly – carries risk. Alienating the fanbase is one. “We wanted to keep the characteristics that made the band a success. None of us are really inspired by other metal bands as we just like different things and different sounds. I'm certainly not inspired by metal,” reveals a candid Luhrs.

Like many bands, there are hidden stories of triumph and adversity whereby personal addiction and demon fighting are prevalent. Luhrs has battled his own inner monsters, including substance abuse, to take the reigns and deliver poignant and emotive performances. “In the past I've had problems with alcohol and even with porn. Being on the road and on tour does not help as it exposes you to everything. As a band, we're one big family which is one big support network,” he explains.

He is honest in what keeps him strong. “I put a lot of things down to my relationship with God. If I'm struggling or not right with a situation, I seek His guidance. I also surround myself with good people and a good support network,” he reveals.

Christianity runs deep throughout. They may thrash, pound and belt out ear-exploding lyrics delivered with maximum penetration, yet listen attentively and the lyrics are indeed heartening and optimistic. They do not preach but persuade. Not that everyone has endorsed the band's lyrics. “I've had a few Christians come up to me and tell me that they don't like my vocals and that God would not approve of a metal band because of the way it sounds. I normally reply by saying that music is a way to express and some people should really listen to the lyrics,” he reveals.

For a proclaimed Christian band, the name August Burns Red has roots in anger. He laughs, “Yeah, apparently the name came from an encounter that our first lead singer [Jon Hershey] had with his ex-girlfriend. Her name was August and after he broke up with her, she went over to his house one night and burned down his doghouse. Inside the doghouse was his dog, Red. The dog died in the fire and the newspaper headline said 'August Burns Red'. When the band first started, they all went with the name.”

It has not all been brotherly love between band members. “Yeah, we have our tiffs now and again. We just work through the issues by talking things through. We have a system where we discuss things and everybody can say what's on their mind,” says Luhrs.

He adds that collaboration is evident during the songwriting process. “JB is our main songwriter. He'll write lyrics and a basic drum pattern and will then email it to everyone so they can familiarise themselves with the track and prepare comments and feedback when we meet. We talk about what we like and what we don't like. It's all very open and transparent,” he tells.

Over the past eight years, they have also had three different vocalists – each one coincidentally started with the initial J. He promises it is not a prerequisite to join the band. Regardless of the band's recruitment policy, it has been a big few years for the American rockers. Success, praise and goodwill has followed, seemingly wherever they've toured. “We've toured with a variety of bands and never thought that I'd get to travel the world. It's all been such a blessing.”