Allegaeon w/ Inferi and Paladin | Apoptosis Tour Part II | Photos + Review

Allegaeon Brings The Second Leg Of The Apoptosis Tour To LA

Venue: The Hi Hat on 10/22/19

When I saw Allegaeon was finally coming back through Los Angeles, I was beyond ecstatic. I’ve seen them twice before, both times in 2018, and they blew me away both times I saw them. Allegaeon is the perfect blend between progressive metal, melodic death metal, and technical death metal, which is blended perfectly. Along with them on this leg came melodic technical death metal band Inferi, as well as speed thrash metal band Paladin, making for a tour filled with tons of talent and a mixture of metal genres that blended so well.

Up first was Paladin from Atlanta, GA. I last photographed vocalist and guitarist Taylor Washington in 2018 when he toured with Arsis as their touring guitarist. While Arsis is melodic death metal, Paladin is a mixture of speed metal and thrash metal, which was honestly an interesting and cool way to start off this tour. The band played a six-song set from their debut album “Ascension”, which was released in 2019 via Prosthetic Records. As the band pointed out during the set, a few of their songs are based around video games, which was very exciting to me. They stood out on this tour on a positive note, with melodies and shredding guitar parts, in line with bands like DragonForce, Exmortus, etc. The rest of the four-piece consists of guitarist Alex Parra, bassist Andy McGraw, and drummer Nathan McKinney. I was thoroughly impressed with their set and cannot wait to see them again next time they come out here!

SETLIST

1. Awakening
2. Divine Providence
3. Call of the Night
4. Black Omen
5. Shoot for the Sun
6. Carpe Diem

Next to the stage was Inferi from Nashville, Tennessee. This was my second time seeing this band this year, with the first time being in May when they toured as direct support for Archspire on the Tech Trek IV Tour with Virvum and Wormhole. Inferi is the perfect mix between melodic death metal and technical death metal, which helps them fit with many bands in the death metal genres. The band played a five-song set, which showcased songs from each of their albums, two of which came from their 2019 release “The End of an Era”, two from their 2018 release “Revenant”, and one their 2014 release “The Path of Apotheosis, which were each released via The Artisan Era. Vocalist Steven Boiser crushed it on that stage, with his distinct vocal stylings that drive the band’s performance. Bassist Andrew Kim throws it down with rhythmic bass lines and wild headbangs. Guitarists Malcolm Pugh and Mike Low shredded the stage with dueling guitar solos and technical rhythmic patterns. Holding down the fort on the drums is Spencer Moore, who beats the hell out of those drums with insane precision. I was once again blown away by Inferi’s set and cannot wait to see them again next time they’re in the area!

SETLIST

1. Behold the Bearer of Light
2. Thy Menacing Gaze
3. The Promethean Kings
4. Quest for the Trinity
5. Cursed Unholy

Finally up came Allegaeon from Denver, Colorado. For the second leg of their headlining tour in support of their newest release “Apoptosis”, which was released in 2019 via Metal Blade Records, the band brought with them a programmed light show and a lengthy headlining set that would blow away long time fans of the band and newer fans combined. As I said before, this was my second time seeing this five-piece, with the last two sets being in 2018. Seeing them a little over a year after they opened on the Summer Slaughter Tour, the band was stronger than ever. Their sound mixes together progressive metal, melodic death metal, and technical death metal, giving them a style and sound that can fit perfectly with many bands and tour lineups throughout the metal genre as a whole. The band played a 12-song set, showcasing songs from each of their releases, with five of the twelve songs coming from “Apoptosis”. Vocalist Riley McShane really showcased his vocal abilities on this new album and live, with both his’ clean vocals and wide array of screaming styles. Guitarists Greg Burgess and Michael Stancel performed dueling guitar solos and melodies that meshed and blended oh so well. Bassist Brandon Michael is always the hype man of Allegaon shows, as he is filled with energy that radiates from his’ stage presence and intricate bass lines. Closing out the band’s lineup is drummer Brandon Park, who’s complex drum parts are truly the core of the band’s sound and drive each song to perfection. I was thoroughly impressed with the band’s performance and am so proud to have seen just how much they’ve grown in just over a year.

SETLIST

1. Parthenogenesis
2. Interphase // Meiosis
3. Threshold of Perception
4. Behold (God I Am)
5. Of Mind and Matrix
6. Dyson Sphere
7. Metaphobia
8. Gray Matter Mechanics – Apassionata Ex Machinea
9. The God Particle
10. Stellar Tidal Disruption
11. Apoptosis

ENCORE

12. 618

The Apoptosis Part II Tour was filled with bands of a mixture of metal genres that blended together to perfection. I’m truthfully blown away by Allegaeon’s growth over the last year, and am so proud and happy for them! Definitely check them out when they come to a city near you, and give some love to Inferi and Paladin as well who set the stage and put on epic performances on this night. Overall, I am thrilled I was able to attend this show, as it was a spectacle from start to end!

Allegaeon | Inferi | Paladin

Photos + Review courtesy of Jamie Kaufman | Instagram

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