For music journalists, inquiring about how a band got its name is terribly clichéd, but in August Burns Red's case it can't be avoided. That's because in an interview last May with DrivenFarOff.com, rhythm guitarist Brent Rambler claimed the Lancaster, Pennsylvania–based metalcore quintet's name originated with a buddy's vengeful ex-girlfriend (August) who set the poor fellow's dog (Red) on fire.

A tad implausible? "You're good for seeing through that story, dude," lead guitarist and songwriter J.B. Brubaker tells the Straight when reached backstage at a club in Harrisonburg, Virginia. "It's a total lie. Back in February 2003, we were joking about how easy it was to create a clichéd hardcore band name. Brent goes, 'Dude, all you need is a month, an action, and a colour. For example, August Burns Red.' We didn't expect to take this band to where it is at this point. Now, the name's just kind of embarrassing, so we made up a story to make it sound a little more legit."

The ABR gossip isn't quite as colourful, according to Brubaker: "Sometimes people spread rumours that we have a Hollister clothing endorsement because we wear non-metal attire on-stage, but that's completely false." No rock-star antics here; such is life when your second full-length album, 2007's Messengers, has sold approximately 30,000 copies, and each band member praises Jesus Christ in the liner notes.

Fans who relish moshing to Darkest Hour shouldn't let ABR's Christian outlook deter them from checking out Messengers, whose 11 tracks were produced by Tue Madsen (the Haunted, Himsa). When absorbing the spiralling, technical, and ultra-melodic riffage on "Composure", it's hard to believe Brubaker took just one semester of acoustic-guitar lessons. Jake Luhrs, ABR's third and most powerful vocalist, brings a scream-charged intensity to pounding numbers like "The Eleventh Hour" and "Back Burner".

Clearly, this ain't Old-Time Gospel Hour. Nonetheless, the band stays on target, whether it's playing for metalheads or bible thumpers. "Lyrically, we have a positive message throughout the album, warning people that life here on Earth is fleeting and unimportant, and you need to worry about what's to come after you die," Brubaker says. "But we don't really talk about God or salvation from the stage. The idea is to be up there and entertain. If we want to get a message across, it would hopefully be in a one-on-one situation."

August Burns Red plays the Croatian Cultural Centre on Monday (October 15).