August Burns Red Brought Metalcore Precision and Unrelenting Fire To Culture Room

All images by Larry Marano

Pennsylvania's metalcore titans August Burns Red transformed Fort Lauderdale's Culture Room into a furnace of controlled chaos on January 21, delivering technical brutality that reminded everyone why they've remained genre royalty for two decades. Opening with the explosive "Composure," the band tore through fan favorites including the oceanic devastation of "Marianas Trench" and the redemptive fury of "White Washed," each breakdown landing with surgical precision. Support acts Royal Hearts and Werewolves warmed up the Wednesday night crowd with commendable ferocity, but once ABR took the stage, it was clear the evening belonged to these metalcore veterans. The 7 PM doors couldn't open fast enough for the faithful who packed the North Federal Highway venue, transforming a midweek night into a celebration of polyrhythmic punishment and shred-heavy salvation.