August Burns Red in Montréal
August Burns Red in Montréal Delivers a Metalcore Masterclass Alongside The Amity Affliction
The metalcore scene came alive in Montréal as August Burns Red and The Amity Affliction brought one of the heaviest tours of the year to the city.
With support from rising acts Heavensgate and Boundaries, the night showcased every corner of modern metalcore, from crushing breakdowns to emotionally charged clean vocals.
Heavensgate
Opening the evening was Heavensgate, an Australian metalcore band formed during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The group delivered classic metalcore energy with punishing breakdowns mixed alongside atmospheric clean vocal sections that helped set the tone early.
Their 2025 EP, A HEART IS A HEAVY BURDEN, has already started gaining attention, and their Montréal performance showed why Australian metalcore continues to dominate globally ever since bands like Parkway Drive helped bring the scene worldwide recognition.
Boundaries
Boundaries followed with one of the wildest sets of the night. The Connecticut band shared vocal duties between frontman Matthew McDougal, bassist Nathan Calcagno, and drummer Tim Sullivan handling clean vocals, creating a layered and aggressive sound throughout the performance.
Crowd surfers flooded the barricade nonstop to the point photographers were reportedly asked to leave the pit area for safety reasons. Their energy proved exactly why they earned a spot on this stacked lineup. The band also teased their upcoming album Yearning: The Unbeautiful After, arriving July 17.
The Amity Affliction
The Amity Affliction received an explosive reaction from the Montréal crowd. The Australian post-hardcore veterans, formed in 2003, recently released their new album House of Cards on April 24th and fans were clearly excited to see them return.
After uncertainty surrounding the band in recent years, the response from the crowd felt emotional as much as energetic. Their soaring clean vocals and perfectly timed guitar work fueled nonstop moshing and crowd surfing throughout the set. For longtime fans, seeing The Amity Affliction live remains a bucket list experience.
August Burns Red
Closing the evening, August Burns Red in Montréal proved once again why they remain one of metalcore’s most respected bands. The Pennsylvania group performed two singles from their upcoming album Season of Surrender, due out June 5th, while delivering the technical riffs, rapid-fire lyrics, and crushing breakdowns fans have come to expect.
The band elevated the show further with CO2 cannons, lasers, and a massive screen displaying visuals and lyrics behind the stage.
Decades into their career, August Burns Red continue to set the standard for live metalcore performances, and this co-headlining tour with The Amity Affliction felt like the perfect pairing for fans of the genre.
