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ESCAPE THE FATE
+ D.R.U.G.S
+ The Beautiful Monument
@ The Governor Hindmarsh,
Adelaide
20th April 2023
(Live Review)

Review by Kayla Hamilton

Photos – Matt Young

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ESCAPE THE FATE, The Tivoli Brisbane, 22nd April 2023 // Photo – Matt Young

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Lines down the road. Sold-out VIP tickets. Merchandise off the table before even the opening act was finished. Adelaide came out in droves to see Escape the Fate on their “Dead Masquerade Tour”. Playing their 2010 self-titled album in full and bringing fellow US band D.R.U.G.S (Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows) with them, it was a helluva showing for the Las Vegas-based post-hardcore band.

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THE BEAUTIFUL MONUMENT, The Tivoli Brisbane, 22nd April 2023 // Photo – Matt Young

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Kicking off their night as their Australian support band was Newcastle band The Beautiful Monument. A band that dedicated their existence to Escape the Fate, it was obvious that they deserved a spot on the tour. Hauntingly beautiful, effortlessly catchy and most importantly loud as hell. Opening the show with Deceiver, the band came in with high energy. Lead vocalist Lizi Blanco’s voice is an immediate pull-in, powerful but also whimsical. To their testament, as amazing as Blanco’s voice is, every member took up a spot on the stage and their unity as a band is incredibly evident.

As they continued into their 2017 track Manifestation, they had already convinced a growing crowd of their credibility. From the second they started to the moment they walked off the stage, they were tight, polished and an absolute treat to witness. By the time they played their final track, their latest single Hellbound, the energy was electric. Winning new fans and satisfying those in the know, the appearance of The Beautiful Monument t-shirts in the crowd multiplied after their set.

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D.R.U.G.S, The Tivoli Brisbane, 22nd April 2023 // Photo – Matt Young

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In a quick turnaround, it was not long till a hungry audience was treated to an epic entrance from D.R.U.G.S. Hitting the stage following an epic light show and backing track, they went straight into the fan favourite If You Think This Song is About You, It Probably Is. The band in its current iteration is founding member Craig Owens with a touring band, but that doesn’t mean that their set was any less tight. Owens was snarly, gritty and an absolute rockstar as he powered through the set. Having the crowd eating out the palm of his hand, the singer asked to see some “Australian Chaos” and the people of Adelaide were ready to give it to him. The pit was open only a few songs in and it was hectic in there.

Owens’ frontman swagger continued and by the time they got into The Only Thing You Talk About the temperature of The Gov had raised by at least 20 degrees. Playing an eclectic setlist of classic tracks and new songs like The Longest Road, this show was both for “the OGs” (as Owens himself stated) and for the new fans. Finishing off their set with Laminated E.T Animals and Sex Life, Owens ordered the crowd to move, because “nobody is too cool for this shit”. The order was received loud and clear, sending the band off with a huge return on energy.

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ESCAPE THE FATE, The Tivoli Brisbane, 22nd April 2023 // Photo – Matt Young

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There is no doubt that by the time Escape the Fate started their set that the audience was well and truly ready to party. As the lights dimmed and the intro to their self-titled album, the instrumental Choose Your Fate played through the speakers, the bubble of energy that was lingering over the room was ready to burst. From the second they entered the stage, playing Massacre, most of the room lost it. Craig Mabbitt has a different swagger to Craig Owens. It’s one of gentle charisma. With a gesture, a look, he completely engages the audience. Guitarist Matti Hoffman looks like he walked straight out of a 2010 music video, with his emo haircut and youthful face, shredding up a storm.

Escape the Fate is one of those bands that can create nostalgia without being a nostalgic act. As a long-term listener watching these songs being performed thirteen years later, their innovation and signature sound as a band stands out. Powering through their self-titled album, the energy does not drop for a second. Zombie Dance, City of Sin– it was a hard rock party. The punters are moshing at the front, dancing in the back and screaming their hearts out. Taking a break from the party vibe, Mabbitt took a moment to pay tribute to a fan who unfortunately passed away, dedicating the song Lost in Darkness to her and her friends that were in the crowd. Emotional, vulnerable and such an awareness of his audience, it hit home just how strong the connection is between their music and the fans.

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ESCAPE THE FATE, The Tivoli Brisbane, 22nd April 2023 // Photo – Matt Young

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There has always been a strong war and battle symbology throughout Escape the Fate’s music, and there is such a special way that the band is able to create that soundscape. The ever-cool-looking Robert Ortiz is an absolute weapon himself behind that kit and his machine-gun style of drumming is the backbone of this band’s sound. It is so incredible to witness live. After the album was played, the band exited the stage for a moment, coming back out to indulge fans with some of their other hits. Coming back with their latest single Low, there was no difference in reception. Everybody just wanted more. Then hitting H8 Myself and Lightning Strike, the set started to hit its peak when Mabbitt asked the audience to put their “spirit fingers” up. The seasoned fans knew what was coming; This War is Ours.

From there, the atmosphere became unhinged. Spine-tingling and stirring, the energy of both the band and the audience melded in this moment. It was only topped when they paused for a guitar solo, a sneaky stage exits and then powered into Ashley. Mabbitt found his way to a nook on the side of the stage, singing the rest of the track from up high, eventually leaping into the audience. Absolute chaos reigned and the band sent the crowd out into the night with Show Me the Money and a selfie for good measure.

There are only a few more dates on this tour, so if you have not got your tickets then jump on them right now. It surely was a night to remember and you will not regret it a second.

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ESCAPE THE FATE, The Tivoli Brisbane, 22nd April 2023 // Photo – Matt Young

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Follow ESCAPE THE FATE
FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM – TWITTER
 TIKTOK – SPOTIFY – APPLE MUSIC
AMAZON MUSIC – YOUTUBE – WEBSITE

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ESCAPE THE FATE, The Tivoli Brisbane, 22nd April 2023 // Photo – Matt Young

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Press Release 1st November 2022 (below) HERE

ESCAPE THE FATE
announce 2023 Australian Tour
performing self-titled album in full
with very special guests
D.R.U.G.S. (USA)
+ THE BEAUTIFUL MONUMENT

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AMNPLIFY – DB