As It Is makes their triumphant return to New Jersey’s House of Independents |11/9/25 | Photos & Review

November 20, 2025 Leave a comment

For those of us who felt an As It Is-shaped hole in the scene when they announced their hiatus last year, we have never been more back. The British-American pop-punkers are currently on the road for their first United States headliner in over six years to commemorate their return and the 10th anniversary of their debut album Never Happy Ever After. On November 9th, I had the awesome opportunity to catch the band at House of Independents in Asbury Park, New Jersey for a very special show (that also happened to be on my birthday!).

Cherie Amour was the first band of the night and one that I have been dying to see live for a few years now. The energy during their set was absolutely electric. From frontman Trey Miller’s vibrant stage presence to their infectious songs, there wasn’t a soul in that venue who wasn’t moving whether they knew the band or not. 

 

 Bearings took the stage next fresh off the release of their most recent full-length album Comfort Company, which released two days prior. The Ottawa-based group delivered a high-energy set that was a fun mix of older fan favorites and tracks from the new record. I love catching these guys live and it was exciting to hear some of the newer songs, especially “Water Your Flowers” and “Float Away.” 

 

If I was to sit here and say I didn’t tear up a little bit once As It Is got onstage and opened with “Speak Soft,” I’d be the biggest liar. I’ve been listening to the band since 2017, but had never gotten to catch them live until now. They absolutely exploded with energy once their set began and you could tell just how much the crowd and the band had been anticipating this moment. 

The first half of their set was a full play through of Never Happy Ever After. “Dial Tones,” “Sorry” and “Cheap Shots and Setbacks” were some clear standouts of the night. It was awesome to watch everyone come together to celebrate a 10 year old album like it had been released yesterday. 

The second half of their set compiled songs from the rest of their discography, including their emotional new single “Lose Yourself & Find Your Way.” Before they played this one, frontman Patty Walters confirmed that new music was being worked on and the band’s fifth album would be released sometime next year. 

I was most excited to hear tracks from their 2017 album “okay.” and I think somehow the band sensed that. After “Patchwork Love,” Walters announced to the crowd that they were about to play a song that they haven’t yet on the tour and one that they thought “New Jersey would go crazy for.” I, in fact, went crazy because the song in question was “Hey Rachel,” which is my all-time favorite of theirs. It was so fun and special to hear this song live and I can confirm that New Jersey also went crazy for it too. 

The night ended with “The Stigma (Boys Don’t Cry)” and you could feel everyone in the room trying to hold onto the moment for as long as they could. This show was extra special for so many reasons. Not only was it a successful return back to the east coast for As It Is, but it was a full on celebration of their art and the community they’ve built surrounding it. Not to mention spending your 22nd birthday photographing one of your favorite bands since your teenage years is pretty cool, too. 

Review & Photography by Amber Bintliff

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Grayscale kept the Wellmont Theater alive with breathtaking performance | 9/12/25 | Photos & Review

September 26, 2025 Leave a comment

Often dubbed one of my personal favorite things to come out of Philadelphia, Grayscale have been a riveting force in the alt-rock scene since their formation in 2016. Consisting Collin Walsh, Andrew Kyne, Dallas Molster and Nick Veno, the four-piece released their emotionally compelling fourth studio album The Hart in January. The band previously hit the road this year for an Australian headline tour and as support for Mayday Parade’s Cheers For 20 Years Tour in the spring. 

Now, Grayscale joins Our Last Night for The Final Tour across North America alongside Wind Walkers. As someone who has been listening to Grayscale since high school and went to college 10 minutes from the Wellmont Theater, seeing the band so close to home was everything I could’ve ever dreamed of. 

The night kicked off with Wind Walkers, a vibrant post-hardcore and alternative metal band from central Massachusetts. I’ve been casually listening to the band for a little over a year now, but their live energy blew me away. “Drowning Hymns” and “Bodybag” are two of my favorite tracks from Wind Walkers and hearing them live elevated them in a way I can’t even describe. The band was a lot of fun to watch on stage and I’m excited for their upcoming EP I Don’t Belong Here. 

Grayscale followed shortly after and, as always, delivered a killer set. Opening with “Kept Me Alive,” the Philly rockers showed the crowd that they were in for one hell of a 45 minutes. I’ve been lucky enough to catch the group on tour twice now and Walsh’s vocals have immediately sent chills down my spine the second he picks up the mic both times. His voice especially shines through on “Through the Landslide” and “Talking In My Sleep,” showcasing his incredible range. 

The first older song of the night was “Dirty Bombs,” a fun track from their 2021 album UMBRA. This one in particular was a highlight of this night for me. Getting to sing along to every word and look around to see others in the crowd doing the same felt so healing. Grayscale also played “Fever Dream” from their 2017 debut album “Adornment.” This song is always a treat live, especially when you hear how loud the audience gets at the “So sit down, shut off / I don’t know how I let you lead so long” part. 

After listening to Grayscale for almost 8 years, finally getting to hear one of my favorite songs of theirs truly took the cake for the best part of this night. When I saw my first Grayscale show at The Stone Pony Summer Stage back in May, they had skipped over “In Violet” on the setlist for a special surprise performance of “Mum II.” Being able to finally hear this one live after so many years was a beautiful experience and I even found myself in one of the few mosh pits during their set for it. I’m not kidding when I say that this song was on almost every single Spotify playlist I made from the ages of 14 to 18 (and still is scattered amongst a few I listen to daily). 

Between songs, Walsh took the time to make some funny comments and express his gratitude to Our Last Night for taking the band on this tour. My personal favorite moment was when he asked the crowd if Montclair was Jets or Giants territory before exclaiming that it doesn’t matter and “Go Birds!” in honor of their home team the Eagles. He also acknowledged how they’re a bit out of place on the lineup of heavier artists, to which their solution was to perform an epic cover of Van Halen’s “Panama.” 

They ended their portion of the night with the closing track and lead single from The Hart, “Not Afraid To Die.” This song live is so special for so many reasons. From its beautifully motivating message to its cinematic production, Grayscale put their heart and soul into this track and it shows every time they perform it. “Not Afraid To Die” still hits so hard even two years after its release and remains as a dazzling finale to their live shows. 

While I’m not as familiar with or as big of a fan of Our Last Night, their energy on stage blew me away. The post-hardcore band first popped into the scene in 2004 and has since built a massive discography that blends re-imagined covers of popular songs and their own stellar original music. They kicked off their set with a cover of Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” and I could feel the entirety of the Wellmont Theater come alive for the band. 

While the band announced they’d be halting touring to spend more time with their families and focus on new music, Our Last Night presented an energetic and bittersweet final show in New Jersey on the 12th. The Final Tour wraps up on Friday, September 26th in Nashville, TN at Ryman Auditorium.

Review & Photography by Amber Bintliff

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The Afterglow Tour Lights Up Anaheim: Sleep Theory Feat. Nevertel, Oxymorrons, & Stray View Deliver Big | 5/31/25 | Photos + Review

August 27, 2025 Leave a comment

Sleep Theory has been on heavy rotation for me ever since their 2023 EP Paper Hearts dropped. Their sound is an electrifying blend of modern metalcore and hard rock, laced with just enough 2000s nu-metal nostalgia to hit that sweet spot. They’ve been storming the scene like a summer downpour in the South, and honestly? It shows. For the first leg of their debut headliner in support of their debut album Afterglow, Sleep Theory ripped through Anaheim alongside Nevertel, Oxymorrons, and Stray View—selling out their only California stop. From the pit to the stage lights, the energy never dipped once.

Stray View (Dallas, TX)

Opening the night was Stray View, who wasted no time setting the bar high. Easily the heaviest support on the bill, they kicked things off with “Who You Really Are” from their Displace/Erase EP—a synth-heavy punch that locked me in immediately. Frontman Dave Escamilla commanded the stage with a presence that felt larger than life, while guitarist Brandon Rodriguez’s downtuned riffs hit like a hammer. Bassist Jake Lewis provided crushing low-end, especially on the freight-train intensity of their newest single “Come Down”. Their experimental streak shined on “Forget It”, which pulled the crowd into an industrial haze, showing just how versatile this band can be. With drummer Lucas Vitullo driving everything forward with relentless energy, Stray View’s seven-song set was a perfect spark to ignite the night.

SETLIST

  1. Who You Really Are
  2. Come Down
  3. Forget It
  4. Escape
  5. Vivid
  6. Wasteland
  7. The Riddle

Oxymorrons (Queens, NY)

Next up were Oxymorrons, who brought rap-rock chaos and swagger in full force. Brothers Dave “D” and Ashmy “KI” Bellevue worked the crowd with co-lead vocals, bouncing between fiery rap verses and raw screams with ease. They opened with Enemy off their newest album Melanin Punk, laying trap-infused beats over sharp nu-metal riffage that had the crowd moving instantly. Green Vision and Head For The Hills followed, with Jafe Paulino’s guitar work slicing through and drummer Matty Mayz pounding out massive grooves. Oxymorrons thrive in high-energy delivery and crowd interaction—their eight-song set felt like a party onstage, a collision of grit and swagger that proved they’re not just part of rap-rock’s revival, they’re pushing it forward.

SETLIST

  1. Enemy
  2. Green Vision
  3. Head For The Hills
  4. Definition
  5. Melanin Punk
  6. Insomnia
  7. Look Alive (Netic)
  8. Justice

Nevertel (Tampa, FL)

By the time Nevertel hit the stage, the room was buzzing. I’ve been spinning them since their 2021 album Everything In My Mind, so finally seeing and photographing them live was a huge moment. They opened with Losing Faith from their upcoming record Start Again, locking the crowd in immediately with their blend of heavy rock and melodic flair. Jeremy Michael’s smooth, almost delicate vocal tone stood in sharp contrast to Raul Lopez Jr.’s rap and R&B layers—together, their dynamic felt fresh and exciting. Tracks like Sacrifice and Back On Me leaned hard into trap-rock fusion, with Kevin Marks’ precision drumming and Alec Davis’ downtuned riffs pushing the breakdowns into filthy territory. Over ten songs spanning their catalog, Nevertel showcased why they’re one of the most compelling crossover acts in the scene right now. Genre lines blurred, energy soared, and by the end, they’d set the stage perfectly for Sleep Theory’s arrival.
SETLIST

  1. Losing Faith
  2. Sacrifice
  3. Back On Me
  4. Sym
  5. Feed The Machine
  6. Modified
  7. Some Things
  8. No Reverse
  9. Everything In My Mind
  10. Criminal

Sleep Theory (Memphis, TN)

Finally, it was time for Sleep Theory—and they did not disappoint. They stormed in with “Fallout”, the perfect mission statement for their sound: modern hard rock colliding with Linkin Park-style nu-metal and a dose of metalcore grit. Cullen Moore’s vocals were the centerpiece, soaring and crystal-clear, cutting through every layer of sound. Daniel Pruitt’s riffs and grooves paired perfectly with Paolo Vergara’s deep basslines, both pulling double duty with strong backing vocals, while Ben Pruitt’s intricate drum patterns elevated tracks like “III” and “Paralyzed”. This debut headlining setlist was no half-measure. Twenty songs stretched across Paper Hearts and Afterglow, bolstered by bold covers—Paramore’s “My Heart”, NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye”, Boyz II Men’s “Can You Stand The Rain”, and even Nevertel’s “Break The Silence”. Pair that with a slick lighting production, and Sleep Theory felt like a band already built for arenas. They’ve solidified themselves as one of the fastest-rising names in the heavy scene, and if this first tour is the blueprint, their trajectory is only up from here.

The best part? All four bands are hitting the road again for the second leg of The Afterglow Tour (Sept 18–Oct 12, US). If it comes to your city, don’t miss it. These are the acts shaping heavy music’s future.

SETLIST

  1. Fallout
  2. Enough
  3. Parasite
  4. Hourglass
  5. Just A Mistake
  6. Gone or Staying
  7. Can You Stand The Rain (Boyz II Men cover)
  8. Bye Bye Bye (NSYNC cover)
  9. Afterglow
  10. Gravity
  11. III
  12. Paralyzed
  13. Break The Silence (Nevertel cover)
  14. My Heart (Paramore cover)
  15. It’s Over
  16. Another Way
  17. Words Are Worthless
  18. Stuck In My Head
  19. Numb
  20. Static

Sleep Theory | Nevertel | Oxymorrons | Stray View

Photos + Review Courtesy of Jamie Kaufman | Instagram | Facebook | X

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Joywave bring ‘Permanent Pleasure’ to New Jersey’s White Eagle Hall 5/21/25 | photos & review

May 31, 2025 Leave a comment

If you’re looking for a new “Obsession,” look no further than a Joywave show. The Rochester, New York indie rock superstars brought their Here To Perform… Spring 2025 Tour to New Jersey’s White Eagle Hall on May 21st with support from little image. 

The penultimate show of this tour began with a phenomenal opening performance from pop-rock trio little image. They were a fun start to the evening and I ended up completely falling in love with their music and pure talent. The band’s drummer, Troy Bruner, is admittedly the most fun to watch on stage. I lost count of how many times he stood on top of his drum kit to get the crowd hyped during and in between songs. 

Shortly after little image left the stage, fans began anxiously awaiting Joywave as soon as they unveiled the giant cat that’s featured on the cover of their latest record, Permanent Pleasure. This little guy is visually one of the best parts of the show and gets a 10/10 for being such a cute addition to their set design (especially when he starts spinning around!).

If there’s one thing Joywave knows how to do, it’s perform. Seriously, there was not a second of this show where my eyes weren’t glued to the men in matching blue silk pajamas that stood before me. Frontman Daniel Armbruster is truly a natural talent who could probably give the performance of a lifetime just about anywhere. The few moments I was released from this trance allowed me to take in the pure joy from those who surrounded me. Everyone in the crowd was singing and dancing like this show was the only thing that mattered in the world at that point–and ever would. 

Their setlist blended a mix of songs from Permanent Pleasure, along with some gems from the earlier parts of their discography. “Hate To Be a Bother,” “Funny Thing About Opinions,” and “Traveling at the Speed of Light” are some Joywave songs I hope are never retired from their time in the setlist spotlight. 

The night ended with the classic double “Destruction,” a track off the band’s 2015 record How Do You Feel Now? that has pretty much taken on a life of its own. Armbruster joked about how they played the song 7 times in a row the last time the band played in New Jersey, confusing an entire crowd of people and probably making them feel like they were going insane. Unfortunately, the state of New Jersey was not blessed with “Destruction” 7 times over this time around, but twice was just as fun. 

I think I’m at the point in my life where I can safely say that I’ll never miss a Joywave show whenever they’re in town. This night at White Eagle Hall was yet another reminder of how much the band enjoys what they do and how dedicated they are to giving their fans a show they’ll remember for a long time. Their shows are a treat, from the immaculate stage presence, good music, and comedian-level jokes scattered throughout the set, Joywave is a band you’ll want to see live at least once in your life.

Photos & Review by Amber Bintliff

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Caskets W/ Wind Walkers and Colorblind | Fall North American Tour | 10-15-24 | Photos

November 6, 2024 Leave a comment

Colorblind

Wind Walkers

Caskets

Caskets | Wind Walkers | Colorblind

Photos courtesy of Jamie Kaufman | Instagram | Facebook | X

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Citizen Soldier Feat. Icon For Hire & Halocene | Thank You For Hating Me US Tour | 10/6/24 | The Observatory Orange County | Photos + Review

October 14, 2024 Leave a comment

Step into the world of group therapy, where music becomes the vessel to help you connect with your pain and emerge stronger together. Citizen Soldier orchestrates this transformative experience through their concerts, providing a safe haven to unleash emotions, find solace, and revel in the moment. During their Thank You For Hating Me Tour, they united with one of my beloved bands, Icon For Hire, and Halocene, to curate an unforgettable night brimming with raw emotions and breakthrough moments that will leave you feeling truly alive.

Halocene, an extraordinary band hailing from Phoenix, AZ, set the stage on fire as the opening act. They launched their performance with the electrifying “Just Won’t Die”, a mesmerizing fusion of progressive metalcore, pop punk, and synth-infused radio rock. Despite guitarist and co-vocalist Bradley Amick being under the weather and unable to perform, vocalist Addie Amick delivered a breathtaking performance, effortlessly taking charge of both vocal parts. The live lineup, featuring guitarist Ben McSherry and drummer Quinton Kufahl, exuded undeniable energy. With a repertoire of 7 songs, including captivating covers of “Unholy” by Sam Smith and “The Kill” by Thirty Seconds To Mars, the band left the audience spellbound. Their invigorating performance was an unforgettable start to the show, and I am eagerly anticipating the chance to capture their magnetic presence once again on their future tour.

SETLIST

  1. Just Won’t Die
  2. When Demons Come To Life
  3. Repent
  4. Unholy (Sam Smith cover)
  5. This Is Our War
  6. The Kill (Thirty Seconds To Mars cover)
  7. Maleficent

Up next, we were treated to the exceptional talents of Decatur, Illinois’ own Icon For Hire. This marked my seventh time catching the band live in the last decade, with the initial experience dating back to the 2014 Warped Tour. I cannot emphasize enough the profound impact their music has had on me.. The experience kicked off with the electrifying “Gatekeepers” from their latest album, The Reckoning. Vocalist Ariel Bloomer’s commanding presence immediately took center stage. They seamlessly transitioned into “Get Well” from their debut album “Scripted”, with guitarist Shawn Jump anchoring the band with a powerful, infectious groove. Icon For Hire’s music is an eclectic fusion, seamlessly blending alternative metal with elements of electronica, hip-hop, post-hardcore, and EDM. Their music spans across all the genres that hold a special place in my heart, and witnessing their ongoing sonic and visual evolution has been nothing short of breathtaking. They have never been afraid to be outspoken about mental health through their music, which is something I wholeheartedly commend and love. The band delivered an enthralling performance of 11 songs, showcasing the depth and breadth of their discography. I was particularly elated to see them play songs like “Venom” and “Ready For Combat” from their more recent releases. Without a doubt, Icon For Hire has solidified their status as THAT BAND.

SETLIST

  1. Gatekeepers
  2. Get Well
  3. Pulse
  4. Off With Her Head
  5. Last One Standing
  6. Iodine
  7. The Grey
  8. Bleed It Out (Linkin Park Cover)
  9. Venom
  10. Ready For Combat
  11. Make A Move

Citizen Soldier from Salt Lake City, UT delivered a powerful performance, taking the stage with their emotionally charged set opener “Save Your Story.” The band’s roots go back to 2016 when vocalist Jake Segura wrote the poignant lyrics to “Let It Burn” during a stay in a mental hospital. Now, as a practicing clinical therapist, Segura uses his emotionally intense lyrics to create a safe space for exploring feelings in a group therapy setting. Their sound is rich and multifaceted, combining a hard rock edge with heartfelt ballads. The band’s lineup includes vocalist Jake Segura, guitarists Matt Duffney and Kooper Hanosky, bassist and keyboardist Wonitta, and drummer Kyle Persell. Citizen Soldier pulled out all the stops for this tour, featuring an elaborate light show and a powerful sound that fully immersed the audience in emotion. Their 16-song set even included guest appearances from Addie of Halocine on “Wish I Could Cry” and Ariel of Icon For Hire on “Victim or Survivor.” Despite not being familiar with Citizen Soldier before the show, I was completely captivated by their performance. The tour, which also featured Icon For Hire and Halocene, felt like a deeply cathartic group therapy session.

SETLIST

  1. Save Your Story
  2. Face To Face
  3. Everybody Hates You
  4. Strong For Somebody Else
  5. Where Were You
  6. My Own Miracle
  7. You Are Enough
  8. Tattoos
  9. Wish I Could Cry (Feat. Addie Amick)
  10. Dead-End Life
  11. Wired For Worthless
  12. Victim or Survivor (Feat. Ariel Bloomer)
  13. Burden
  14. Afterlife
  15. Would Anyone Care (ENCORE)
  16. Thank You For Hating Me (ENCORE)

Citizen Solider | Icon For Hire | Halocene

Photos + Review courtesy of Jamie Kaufman | Instagram | Facebook | X

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Leprous Featuring Earthside & Fight The Fight | Melodies of Atonement North American Tour | 9/27/24 | House of Blues, Anaheim, CA | Photos + Review

October 3, 2024 Leave a comment

I recently stumbled upon the mesmerizing sounds of Leprous and was captivated by their extensive discography, especially their latest album “Melodies of Atonement.” When I found out about their North American tour, I knew I couldn’t miss the chance to witness their brilliance live. Due to a medical emergency, Monuments was unable to perform on the tour as initially planned. However, Earthside and the electrifying Fight The Fight performed as opening acts, promising an unforgettable evening.

Hailing from Oslo, Norway, Fight The Fight set the stage on fire with their performance of “Serpent of the Sand.” Bathed in striking red and blue lights, they delivered an intense 30-minute set, showcasing nine songs, including tracks from their new album “Shah Of Time.” Their fusion of groove-heavy influences and a perfect blend of melody and heaviness left a lasting impression. With a stellar lineup of vocalist Fredrik Teig Bergstrom, drummer Sander Lambrechts, guitarists Tord Larsen and Tobias Rekke, and bassist Hans-Magnus E. Hermansen, Fight The Fight’s performance was an exhilarating mix of diverse sounds that left me craving for more!

SETLIST

  1. Serpent of the Sand
  2. Ascent
  3. Monarch
  4. Shining
  5. Heart of Stone
  6. A.I.
  7. Alien
  8. 12800
  9. In Memory

Earthside from New Haven, Connecticut was the next band to hit the stage. The band can be best described as cinematic progressive metal. This four-piece is quite unique as it is an instrumental quartet consisting of guitarist Jamie van Dyck, keyboardist Frank Sacramone, bassist Ryan Griffin, and drummer Ben Shanbrom. The band opened with their song “We Who Lament,” for which they recently released a video. Throughout the set, vocals from the featured vocalists on the album echoed through the backing tracks, adding a full-rounded sound to songs such as “We Who Lament” and “Let The Truth Speak.” The lighting during their set was dynamic, with lots of moody backlighting to enhance the atmosphere. The band played a total of five songs, most of which came from their newest album “Let The Truth Speak,” released in 2023 via Mascot Label Group and Music Theories Recordings. It was really cool to finally see Earthside live, especially since I’ve been online friends with Jamie for quite some time. They were truly incredible and really moved me.

SETLIST

  1. We Who Lament
  2. Pattern of Rebirth
  3. Watching the Earth Sink
  4. Let The Truth Speak
  5. The Closest I’ve Become

The all-mighty Leprous from Notodden, Norway hit the stage next. The band put on an amazing hour and 40-minute show with a fantastic light display. They started with the opening track “Silently Walking Alone” from their new album “Melodies of Atonement”, showcasing Einar Solberg’s incredible vocal range. Throughout the set, they performed a total of 15 songs. The band’s lineup includes guitarists Tor Oddmund Suhrke and Robin Ognedal, bassist Simen Børven, drummer Baard Kolstad, and keyboardist Harrison White. During the song “Faceless”, they invited local fans onto the stage to sing with them as their choir, which was a really cool moment. They closed with my personal favorite song “Atonement” and then came back for an encore, letting the fans choose between three songs. The crowd chose “Illuminate”, which was an amazing way to end the show. It was an incredible performance that left me speechless. They prepared an amazing tour, and with Earthside and Fight The Fight alongside them, they brought a progressive metal show that was to die for.

SETLIST

  1. Silently Walking Alone
  2. The Price
  3. Mirage
  4. I Hear The Sirens
  5. Like A Sunken Ship
  6. Slave
  7. Distant Bells
  8. Unfree My Soul
  9. Below
  10. Faceless
  11. Castaway Angels
  12. From The Flame
  13. Atonement
  14. The Sky Is Red (Outro)
  15. Illuminate (ENCORE)

Leprous | Earthside | Fight The Fight

Photos + Review Courtesy of Jamie Kaufman | Instagram | Facebook | X

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Incubus w/ special guest Coheed and Cambria | PHOTOS & REVIEW

September 18, 2024 Leave a comment

September 6, 2024 | The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

What a way to start a show with the Hardrock Legends, Coheed and Cambria. They begin the night with their album title song, “ In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3,” to get the crowd in the mood for what is to come and I can say personally, it was the best way to kick it off, Claudio never disappoints with his energy. 

It was a beautiful, cool Friday night at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, in Irving Texas. Coheed and Cambria played all their hits ranging from. “ Ten Speed (Of God’s Blood and Burial)”, “A Favor House Atlantic,” too, “A Disappearing Act,” “Shoulders,” and “The Liars Club,” from their 2022 album, Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind. 

It wouldn’t be a Coheed and Cambria show if they didn’t end it with their most popular track, “Welcome Home,” from their 2005 album Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV, Vol. 1 – From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness. Wow, what a mouthful! It was a great way to end their set cause it get the crowd pumped for the headliners… Incubus.

The stage has been set, lights have been cut and the sounds from the first song “Nice to know you,” kicks on and you can just feel that it was going to be some Morning Views indeed.

The energy the band put on the entire night of the set was just calming, relaxing, putting you in a state of pure bliss. Playing the album in its entirety was phenomenal, the crowd was grooving along with the band playing the songs, “Wish you were here,” “Just a phase,” “11 am,” and then the acoustic version of, “Blood on the Ground.’ Just beautiful.

As the night progressed it just got better and better, Brandon singing his heart and soul out with such passion shows how much he loves this music so much, Nicole Row playing an incredible bass line with such accuracy you just had to see it to believe it. Just wow! Mike with the iconic guitar riffs and a surprise at the end that I will fill you in on in just a bit. Gavin with such technical sounds from his turntable brought so much to the band. Last but not least, we cannot forget about Jose Pasillas and his cool smooth drum technique, one more time WOW!!

Incubus was nearing the end of the album Morning Views, with their songs, “Have you Ever,” “Are you in,” but then they mixed in Phil Colins popular song, “In The Air Tonight,” which brought the crowd alive once again, but it didn’t stop there, just for a little bit of a kick they played a Rhianna cover!!! It was awesome to see them play, “Umbrella”

Aqueous Transmisson, which got you locked in on Mike playing the Chinese instrument the Pipa and it was everything just everything. Such a beautiful song you can listen to it so many times that you will never tire of it, ever. As the album came to a close they stayed on stage and gave the crowd what they wanted, the hits from all the albums, from “Anna Molly,” “Karma,” Pardon Me,” too, “The Warmth,” “Vitamin,” “Dig,” and the classic, “Drive.” What a way to end the night Incubus giving it all and playing their hearts, it was a great evening, with some Morning Views.

Coverage courtesy of Angel Castillo

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Spending Halloween night with Buc-ee… I mean Polaris

November 1, 2023 Leave a comment

October 31st, 2024

Polaris’ The Fatalism Tour plowed through town on Halloween night, at the amazing Echo Lounge & Music Hall. Can you say they delivered with an amazing set? You bet your sweet Halloween candy they did. In true Texas fashion, they came to the stage wearing Buc-ee the Beaver onesies, form the world famous store Buc-ees. From that point forward it was on!!

        They opened with their first song from there new album Fatalism entitled, Harbinger. Starting with a smooth intro and onto a face punching riff to get this Dallas crowd going. Making the mosh pits go hard and the crows jump go harder. It didn’t stop there, next they played Nightmare, and from there the energy went sky high and blew the roof right off. Jamie Hails vocal energy that had the fans literally stretching passed the barricade screaming and singing the lyrics with him.

        After they played their fourth song of the set they took a little breather. Asking if the crowd wants more, they happily obliged and dug deep too their 2017 debut album The Mortal Coil, with the first song off that album, called Lucid. It was just pure energy from the back to the front, including the second level of the venue. You can feel the passion as Polaris performs.

        Two more songs in Polaris dedicated their next song Martyr to the memory of there guitarist Ryan Slew. He passed away June 19, 2023, the crowd clapped and cheered loud with the load roar of chants of Ryan’s name. Emotions took over and they delivered a powerful performance.

        Filled with emotion and passion they played song after song, but they weren’t done yet! Beginning the close out, with the first encore song being Pray for Rain, from their album The Death of Me. Crowd surfers flying over a fast paced mosh pit, fans head banging and singing along with the band that it was like they were just getting started all over again. However, they were not leaving Dallas without giving it the last blow from down under with the song The Remedy. WOOO!!!!! It’s all I can say cause holy hell this band was giving it all and left it all on that stage. Freaking amazing way to close out Halloween night in Dallas Texas.

Coverage courtesy of Angel Castillo

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Cannibal Corpse 2023 North American Tour ft Mayhem, Gorguts, & Blood Incantation | Photos + Review 

October 16, 2023 Leave a comment

 Palladium, Worcester, MA  |  9/29/23                                                                    

On a very rainy Friday night the Cannibal Corpse 2023 North American Tour came to destroy the sold out Worcester Palladium. Supporting this tour was the one and only Mayhem, Gorguts, & Blood Incantation. I have been to the Worcester Palladium at least a hundred times but I have never seen this iconic venue as electric as it was. I rushed in to just make it down the four packed levels into the photo pit to start my coverage. 

Being a little overwhelmed having to hurry in after waiting in traffic, running through the rain to collect my credentials at the box office, getting down to the photo pit, and immediately starting to photograph half way through song one, I finally had a second to turn around to take in what was hands down one of the most religious concert experience I have ever attended. 

Not knowing the two opening acts until this bill was announced, Blood Incantation was up first, a death metal band out of Denver, CO started in 2011. With dark blue and green lights, with an occasional white light shining, & endless fog, this band was a little hard to capture, but the job got done. Lead singer & guitarist, Paul Riedl had the softest most humble speaking voice to hype up crowd, then went into this deep death metal scream. You could barely see drummer Isaac Faulk whaling on the kit that made the whole room shake. The guitars were flawlessly melodic as Paul was joined by guitarist Mossis Faulk, and of course, the bassist Jeff Barret matched this vibe. As an opening band, sometimes it’s hard to get the crowd going and ready to rage but not on this night. The mosh pit was massive and going hard and people were flying through the air endlessly.

Gorguts was next. A seasoned Canadian death metal band out of Quebec formed in 1989. Lead singer & guitarist, Luc Lemay is the only original member left, but with how this band was flowing together you wouldn’t have known that. This group isn’t just death metal, they are technical death metal. Having fast blast beats, aggressive build ups, and guttural low screams, it’s honestly quite catchy to keep the head banging. Each band definitely had its collection of fans there but everyone was so electric that it almost was hard to tell.

I stated at the beginning of this “The one and only Mayhem” because that is truly what this band is. Formed in 1984 in Langhus, this Norwegian black metal band was one to put this genre on the map. The fog machines went off every 30 seconds, making the band members silhouettes during some of their performance. Front man Attila Csihar, known as Void, was dressed in a long tattered up robe with his entire face painted up moving across the stage like Voldermont did in Harry Potter. Memorizing the audience. Actually the entire band did that. Morten Bergeton Iversen, known as Teloch, one of the guitarists, was sporting his face being painted up as well, with a gothic style outfit, while everyone was wearing black shirts and jeans. The other members of the band did not sport the look those two did which was interesting to me but it didn’t matter due to what these musicians brought to the Palladium. I felt like I was on a Norwegian journey. The bass, played by Jorn Stubberud, known as Necrobutcher. The drums, ripped on by Jan Axel Blomberg, known as Hellhammer.  Seamlessly flowing riffs being played by Charles Edward Hedger, known as Ghul alongside Teloch, and those vocals shook the house in a way I’ve never experienced. Mayhem brought an intensified element to this bill. I highly suggest catching them live at any point in time.  

Waiting for the headliner, as the stage hands cleared the stage, the venue was still going hard with its wild energy. The merch booth still had a massive line half way down the venue steps, fans were still moshing & crowd surfing while waiting for the band to go on, I have yet to see that live at any show! Cannibal Corpse, starting out in 1988, originally out of Buffalo, NY, was on. If you’re a death metal fan, I’m going to say most likely you’re a Cannibal Corpse fan. George Fisher, aka Corpsegrinder, wore his very own “Respect The Neck” shirt which I thought was great. If you know anything about him, you know he is known for his unmatched headbanging, windmill whipping massive neck! The screams that came out of that man’s mouth may actually be talking demons, it was a little imidateding being that close but it was absolutely amazing. This seasoned band was nothing short of perfect, which was to no surprise. Playing a variety of fan favorites, the wild energy the Palladium held in its walls all night elevated to 11 for the entire 14 song setlist. It seriously never stopped. Alex Webster, the original bass player & founding member, guitarist Rob Barrett & Erik Rutan (who is fairly new to the band), and drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, all in sync. The solos and riffs were dirty ripping through the hammering of the drums, in the best way we all want our riffs to be. They weren’t flashy in the way they looked or how the stage looked. The fog machine was barely pressed and the lights weren’t anything fancy whatsoever, but none of that mattered to anyone. I think at this point in time people from quite young ages to older folks in that crowd were heart warmed to be watching and respecting legends. Being able to witness all these things I have heard about Cannibal Corpse was one to cross off the bucket list. I am truly grateful I was able to attend this tour passing through. It was one for the books.

Coverage courtesy of Ashley Grace of aGrace Photography

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