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LORNA SHORE
+ Bodysnatcher
+ To The Grave
@ Forum, Melbourne,
18th February 2025
(Live Review)

Review and photos by Michael Gow (@alchemi_glow_music_phot)

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LORNA SHORE / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Tonight was a night many years in the making—one of the premier deathcore acts in the world, Lorna Shore, took centre stage at Forum Melbourne. This marked the band’s first-ever visit to Australia, and the demand for their performance was undeniable. Their show at the Forum Theatre in Melbourne, Victoria, sold out quickly, along with many other dates across Australia’s capital cities.

Arriving early at the venue, it was clear fans were eager. The line to get in stretched around the block well before the doors opened.

Doors opened at 7 p.m., and the crowd eagerly filed in—some heading straight for a spot on the barrier, others grabbing a drink at the bar, and a few making a detour upstairs to the merch stand to snag their favourite band’s gear.

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TO THE GRAVE / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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To The Grave:

Opening the night was Sydney deathcore band To The Grave, and they made an immediate statement. The band brought heavy bass tones that reverberated through the floor. Lead singer Dane Evans delivered a theatrical entrance—donning a pig mask and apron while wielding a fake knife. For those unfamiliar with To The Grave, their 30-minute set was an intense introduction. Brutal guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and relentless bass created a crushing sonic assault.

The crowd wasted no time getting involved—crowd surfers launched themselves over the barrier from the first note, keeping security busy. Evans engaged with the audience throughout the set, at one point saying, “Because of you, it’s fortunate that the band is here tonight,” before hyping the crowd for the following act, Bodysnatcher. Fans brought their sense of humour too—one crowd surfer appeared in a Wario costume, another as a banana. The synchronized headbanging from guitarists Jack Simoni, Nic Webb, bassist Matt Clarke, and Evans himself was a spectacle to behold.

Evans expressed his awe at the opportunity to open for Lorna Shore, calling the experience “surreal.” The band played a track inspired by Melbourne before closing with their anthem “Made in Aus.” With the audience fully energized, it was time for the first of the two international acts to take the stage.

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BODYSNATCHER / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Bodysnatcher:

Hailing from Melbourne—Florida, not Australia—Bodysnatcher wasted no time making their presence known. Early in the set, vocalist Kyle Medina joked, “I guess you’re a bit confused,” acknowledging the shared city name. Their performance was tight and punishing, with drummer Chris Whited delivering an especially powerful performance—every beat pulsed through the floor.

While the crowd took a moment to warm up, once they did, the energy in the room was palpable. Medina was an engaging frontman, encouraging the crowd to give themselves a cheer and expressing how much they were loving their first trip to Australia. As the set progressed, the mosh pit expanded, with Medina demanding the crowd open it “three times bigger”—and the fans eagerly obliged.

Before their final song, Medina offered a heartfelt, “Whether you love us or hate us, thanks for giving us your time.” Their raw, intense performance surely earned them new fans and left their die-hard supporters hopeful for a return visit.

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LORNA SHORE / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Lorna Shore:

Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for—Lorna Shore took the stage and delivered an all-out sensory assault. From the first note, the band unleashed a stunning display of power and emotion, amplified by a dazzling pyro and lighting show. For fans who had waited years to see them live, the performance was everything they had hoped for and more.

Will Ramos is a force of nature. His growls and pig squeals are unparalleled in the metal scene, and his commanding stage presence is mesmerizing. The band performed tracks from their groundbreaking EP …And I Return to Nothingness and their critically acclaimed album Pain Remains. Ramos’s lyrical intensity was matched by the emotional reaction of fans—many of whom could be seen headbanging, throwing devil horns, or visibly moved by the music.

The set felt like stepping into a fantasy realm—an epic landscape filled with dragons and goblins. Personal highlights included hearing long-awaited tracks like “Of the Abyss,” “Sun//Eater,” “To the Hellfire,” and the emotional trilogy “Pain Remains I, II, III.” As the night drew to a close, Ramos teased the audience, saying, “I guess you’re all wanting to hear one more song—and it is Pain Remains I, II, III.” The crowd erupted in cheers, and the emotional weight of the performance was felt across the room, with some fans shedding tears as they sang along.

Each band member delivered a masterful performance. Guitarists Adam De Micco and Andrew O’Connor showcased technical prowess with crushing breakdowns and blistering solos. Bassist Michael Yager provided thunderous low-end and powerful backing vocals. Drummer Austin Archey was a relentless force, anchoring the band’s colossal sound.

During the final moments, Ramos addressed the crowd: “Thank you for sticking it out to the end, and thank you for such an amazing night.” He encouraged fans to “take care of each other, love one another, and get home safely.” Before disappearing offstage, Ramos led the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to drummer Austin Archey—a heartfelt end to an unforgettable night.

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LORNA SHORE / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Conclusion:

Tonight’s concert was one for the history books. Lorna Shore delivered an unforgettable performance, cementing their place as one of the most exciting acts in modern metal. Judging by the overwhelming crowd response, both Lorna Shore and Bodysnatcher are sure to return to Australian shores sooner rather than later.

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LORNA SHORE / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Check out Michael Gow’s (@alchemi_glow_music_phot) full gallery of this event HERE

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LORNA SHORE / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Follow LORNA SHORE

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LORNA SHORE / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Press Release 10th June 2024 (below) HERE

Destroy All Lines Presents

LORNA SHORE
announce 2025 Australian Tour

with special guests
BODYSNATCHER + TO THE GRAVE

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AMNPLIFY – DB