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TO THE GRAVE
Enigma Bar, Adelaide
19th February 2022
(Live Review)

Review by Kayla Hamilton

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To The Grave ex Earth Caller

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Adelaide metalcore/deathcore fans have been starving for shows. With high profile acts postponing show after show, festival cancellations and even local shows suffering under restrictions, it was almost a won’t believe it until doors open mentality walking into this show. Luckily, in front of a sold-out crowd, TO THE GRAVE brought a show that will be talked about for years.

Performing in front of a seated/unable to mosh crowd is always a challenge for bands but the line-up on this show was able to bring the energy regardless. Kicking off the night with local deathcore act HIGH GROUND, the bar was set high from the jump. From the Star Wars references to the brutal breakdowns, HIGH GROUND is for sure the future of Adelaide deathcore. Brutal vocals, courtesy of vocalist BLAKE GODDEN, emitting equally as brutal lyrics combined with driving metal riffs and stellar drumming- HIGH GROUND is a band to keep an eye on.

Backing up HIGH GROUND’s energy and using it as a launchpad to get this sold-out crowd going, was another local Adelaide band 23/19. The bittersweet feeling lingered behind the set with it being vocalist NATHAN STUCKEY’s last show with the band, but if anything, that just urged the crowd on more. Coming out to a stirring crowd karaoke session of Aerosmith’s ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing’, 23/19 had the audience eating out the palm of their hand. Bringing their brand of heavy hardcore, the set was delivered at such high energy that it felt insanely short. 

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Order HERE

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By the time Melbourne’s EARTH CALLER hit the stage, it was becoming a battle for patrons to remain seated. Playing Adelaide for the first time with their new keyboarder MISSTIQ, EARTH CALLER brought a special something. Atmospheric, exhilarating, hard-hitting, rallying- these are just some of the words you could use to describe EARTH CALLER’s set. Stomping, headbanging, throwing arms- all from their seats patrons were doing their absolute most to show the love while abiding by restrictions. In the way that hardcore, metalcore and deathcore do best, EARTH CALLER blurred the lines between the band and the crowd. One cannot exist without the other and the rallying yells of both the band and the audience showed that. 

In a blink of an eye, again just to sheer electricity and pacing of EARTH CALLER’s set, it felt like it was over. As sad as it was for their set to be over, it meant that the much anticipated TO THE GRAVE was about to hit the stage. After the postponements of not just TO THE GRAVE’s tour but for so many other acts, Adelaide deathcore fans were chomping at the bit to see the Sydney deathcore giants. There is no way that this crowd would’ve left disappointed last night because it was one for the books. Making security work overtime, the sheer intensity that rippled through the crowd as TO THE GRAVE hit the stage was remarkable. Channelling the stress, anger and frustration that is being felt by so many now, TO THE GRAVE’s set was cathartic and uplifting.

Ripping mercilessly into their catalogue of brutal tracks, no seat was left in its original spot. Proving time and time again that Australian deathcore is in good hands with bands like this. As the crowd and band merged, the set was ended with a stirring deathcore cover of My Chemical Romance’s Ghost of You, which does feature on their latest album Epilogue.

All in all, with this final stop before TO THE GRAVE return to Sydney, this show was more than just a stunning display of brutality and power. It was a glimmer of hope, a reignition of motivation and a reminder that Aussie bands are out here, ripping it up and that there is nothing better than being in the pit.

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AMNPLIFY – DB