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DECADE OF DIVINATION TOUR

IN HEARTS WAKE
+ Stray From The Path
+ The Gloom In The Corner
+ Diamond Construct
@ UniBar, Adelaide,
5th May 2023
(Live Review)

Review by Kayla Hamilton

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IN HEARTS WAKE, Metropolis Fremantle, 6th May 2023 // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography

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It’s not often that a show in Adelaide sells out super quick, but if you slept on getting tickets to In Hearts Wake ‘Decade of Divination’ show at the Adelaide Uni Bar, then you probably missed out. 

If you did miss out, well hate to break it to you, it was one for the ages.

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IN HEARTS WAKE, Metropolis Fremantle, 6th May 2023 // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography

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The sold-out Adelaide Unibar welcomed in a sea of punters, all of who were ready to get down. That was obvious from the moment Sydney metalcore/djent band Diamond Construct took the stage. Going straight into Animus, the crowd was moving instantly. Somebody lost their beer before even the second song. Going straight into Enigma, the two-stepping had started. This is one of those bands that are truly taking metalcore and transforming it into their own.

Bass player Alexander is an absolute technician, but the whole band delivers one of the tightest live shows you can ask for. Unfortunately, they had to cut their set short due to technical difficulties, but not before dropping their latest release Hit it Back. Disappointing that they were not able to give us their full set but judging from the reception, they will be welcomed back to Adelaide with open arms.

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THE GLOOM IN THE CORNER, Metropolis Fremantle, 6th May 2023 // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography

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It was not long until Nickelback’s San Quentin started blasting through the speakers and for those in the know, that was a warning sign: The Gloom in the Corner was about to hit the stage. For those having their first Gloom experience, it was not long until they were drawn in. Singer Mikey Arthur starts the show with the stripped-back intro for From Heaven to Hell. It is cinematic, building and for those curious, when they are hit by the wall of sound that drops in- it certainly got the crowd moving.

The Gloom in the Corner’s sound is monstrous. Their concept-driven metalcore weaves a fabric. Their set is filled with ups and downs, stories and of course the most important thing- some filthy breakdowns. Bass player Paul Musolino is a force of nature, throwing his instrument around the stage with reckless abandon. Highlights of the set are hard to pick but Misanthropic and Behemoth always go down a treat. 

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STRAY FROM THE PATH, Metropolis Fremantle, 6th May 2023 // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography

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After The Gloom in the Corner finished their set, the UniBar was well and truly warmed up. The Aussie support acts were such an incredible treat to an already hyped-up show, but it was clear that many of the attendees were waiting on bated breath for the special guests from overseas. The reception that New York’s own Stray From the Path got from the sold-out Adelaide crowd was electric.

The pit was already open and from the moment the band hit the stage, the crowd was on the move. Opening the show with Needful Things, there are so many adjectives to describe what truly happened, but the most accurate word is people were goddamned hyped to see them. Moving away from the technical and theatrical, Stray From The Path are the hardcore Rage Against the Machine.

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STRAY FROM THE PATH, Metropolis Fremantle, 6th May 2023 // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography

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Their music is tough, it’s angry and straightforward but it is also catchy as hell. Being in the pit meant being on guard because there was no safe spot to stand. Andrew Dijorio is an exceptional frontman. His ability to bring the crowd in and make it feel like it us against the world. His belief in his lyrics does not mitigate any of the positive vibes he exudes. 

Leaving the crowd hanging for more with First World Problem Child, it feels like it won’t be too long before we see Stray from The Path on our shores again. It is not a stretch to say that the audience wouldn’t have minded them playing at least another half an hour, and that is a sentiment that has been echoed across all the shows on this tour.

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IN HEARTS WAKE, Metropolis Fremantle, 6th May 2023 // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography

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There are not many bands that could follow the heat that all three support acts brought, but luckily In Hearts Wake were. Beloved and that was evident by the crowd’s eruption as they hit the stage. Wearing an outfit straight out of 2012, it was obvious that the band was having fun celebrating their journey over the last 10 years.

Obviously walking out to Neverland (The Star), the band wasted no time diving right into playing their album Divination in full. It was a set full of nostalgia and reflection. Titbits behind certain tracks. Celebrating traditions. It felt like going to a milestone birthday party- their songs were like pictures in a slideshow. The stories feeling like reminiscing between friends. As they played through the album, flashes of memories flashed across audience members’ faces. It was heart-warming to see them smiling as they sang. 

Having fun did seem to be the mission of In Hearts Wake. Masterchief from Halo joined them onstage for an audience game of capture the flag. A deer mascot, inspired by the album’s artwork also had a brief rendezvous. Soulful moments, like bass player Kyle Erich sharing the moment behind him starting to add clean vocals to the band’s music. The crowd joining in with Shapeless.

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IN HEARTS WAKE, Metropolis Fremantle, 6th May 2023 // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography

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Once the album had been completed, the Byron Bay Metalcore icons returned to the stage with a few newer tracks, to get the very last of this active’s crowd energy out. As somebody who did not go through the last decade with In Hearts Wake, it did feel like I was a plus one of a guest at a special celebration during their set. That did not make it any less moving. 

In fact, one moment stood out. The dedication of B.I.A (The Hanged Man) to a passed friend. Frontman Jake Taylor said to “make art so they can live on”. This show was a reminder in a time where art is losing its humanity, the world is divided through hate and there is so much loss and pain that the best thing you can do is just to keep making art.

You never know who it will resonate with. Perhaps ten, twenty or even fifty years later, a sold-out crowd may come together to celebrate it.

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IN HEARTS WAKE, Metropolis Fremantle, 6th May 2023 // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography

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Check out Pete Gardner’s full gallery of the Fremantle event HERE

Follow IN HEARTS WAKE
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter – Spotify

Follow STRAY FROM THE PATH
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

Follow THE GLOOM IN THE CORNER
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

Follow DIAMOND CONSTRUCT
Facebook – Instagram

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IN HEARTS WAKE, Metropolis Fremantle, 6th May 2023 // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography

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Press Release 7th February 2023 (below) HERE

IN HEARTS WAKE
announce 2023
DECADE OF DIVINATION Tour

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

STRAY FROM THE PATH (USA)
THE GLOOM IN THE CORNER
DIAMOND CONSTRUCT

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AMNPLIFY – DB