With three bands to sink their teeth into it was great to see attendees arrive early to catch Whanganui locals Pull Down the Sun, who laid down the foundations for the evening with their expansive sound. The trio consist of Healey on guitar, Wegman on vocals/guitar and Bourke on drums – but don’t be fooled, these guys may not have a dedicated bassist, but they know how to produce atmosphere.
Oh how the metal gods have been smiling upon Aotearoa, with Lorna Shore already this week and now Killswitch Engage over Halloween weekend, what more could one ask for!
Pull Down the Sun
Inspired by the very sounds of the land and nature surrounding them in the beautiful home town, Pull Down the Sun took the audience on a journey through tracks such as Of Rivers And Glaciers and Pierce The Sea; their sound which can traverse seamlessly through melodic and groove laden riffs, Wegman shifting from clean vocals to howls that would summon the spirit of Maui himself, immersive in nature.
Breakdowns were heavy, the three piece tight in their delivery and well versed in their instruments and how to elicit soundscapes from them that at times were beautifully ambient before pulling people back in to bone crunching goodness. What a way to start the night!
Sylosis
A double international headliner is always a treat, and Sylosis knew how to give those present just what they asked for.
Having formed in Reading, Berkshire twenty-six years ago, the British legends have had more than a couple of decades to hone their sound, and it shows thanks to the one consistent member Josh Middleton who morphed from lead guitarist into vocalist (which he took over the role of for their second album Edge Of The Earth).
Kicking off their set with Beneath The Surface and Poison For The Lost, it was clear that Sylosis wanted to make an impression on their first visit to New Zealand; Middleton thanking all those who had shown up early to witness them and joking how the Aussies liked to say “good bastards” but that kiwis leaned towards a more vulgar version that is actually the highest bestowment one could receive here.
Weaving together thrash, progressive and melodic death metal, Sylosis have built an enviable discography over the years, Lacerations from their latest album The New Flesh released earlier this year seeing a more metalcore approach to their classic metal foundations, and it pays off. Live Middleton’s vocals are aggressive with blood curdling howls which then soar into a melodic clean chorus. Glorious.
These guys have a knack for anthemic tracks and breakdowns that dig deep, and it is clear to see that much of this is driven by Middleton who balances shifting vocal styles and killer guitar solos with grace. Shout out to the sound techs as well for a mix that ensured vocals were audible and clean throughout the set.
Mirror Mirror was a stomper, Middleton pushing the fans to fill in the gaps in the mosh pit as Richardson punished the skins and Ben Thomas on Bass drove that churning sound that just had peoples skulls begging to headbang; the thrash style squeal of the short but sweet guitar solos reminiscent of many of the classics.
Sylosis leaned heavily into their latest album by following up with All Glory, No Valour, and who can blame them as it is a solid body of work. Telling the fans “this one is simple, only four words to remember”, those who were already familiar with the song gleefully chanted the chorus with fervour, the thrash speed intensity of the track refusing to let any body remain still, the chorus a chant that demanded to be chanted.
Joking that all he wanted to do was go to bed, Middleton announced that they had three songs left to go and he was determined to get everything he could out of the audience, calls for a wall of death during Deadwood happily granted by those who were more than keen to smash into their fellow metalheads for the love of the game. Coupled with the previous track Pariahs, both from their 2023 album A Sign Of Things To Come, Sylosis were making damn sure that heart rates were accelerated before Killswitch Engage took the stage.
Closing with the title track of their new album, Middleton called for the room to give “everything you’re worth” and they complied, the aggressive urgency of the song itself driving them on. This is a track that was born to be played live, tight, heavy with insane thrash riffs, one could not ask for more, Middleton embracing a little hardcore to his vocals.
It may have been their first trip to NZ, but there will be many that hope it will not be their last as Sylosis know how to deliver live!
Killswitch Engage
Entering to fanfare worthy of their almost three decade long career, the metalcore boys from Massachusetts were grinning ear to ear as they walked onto stage, and it took no more than their opening track Fixation On The Darkness before vocalist Jesse Leach was in the front row, up close and personal with his fans.
In many ways it is odd for a band to change vocalists halfway through their career and then change back to their original again and still hold their fanbase, sure there a few who have done it but not many successfully. Killswitch are that band, many of their followers both enjoying and supporting what Howard Jones brought to the band.
But it is hard to deny that Leach just has a persona that draws people in, not only is he an incredible vocalist but he genuinely loves what he does, who he does it with and most importantly his audiences.
Ripping straight into the fast and heavy riffs of This Is Absolution, it was great to hear Leach singing the lyrics that album wise are done by Jones; one thing that can be heard regardless though is how much both vocalists were influenced by the legend that is Mike Patton of Faith no More.
The End Of Heartache and once again Leach is back in the front row, this is a man who truly does appreciate in this day and age (and frankly this economy) the dedication of people who pay good money to come out and witness their favourite band. The comradery that was instantly built in these moments was palpable.
Moving into their latest album, Leach and lead guitarist Dutkiewicz joking that they were “going to play some shit off the new record – well it’s not really new at this point, new to us!” Aftermath went down a treat, the clean guitars and soaring chorus feeding into the emotional resonance of the song.
The bond had been made, and it was summed up during In Due Time as an attendee handed Leach a beer and he took a sip before handing it back; this is what the metal community are all about, and this moment summed it up better than anything else could.
Sons Of Man was for the old school fans, those who have been with Killswitch since the beginning revelling in the live version; Leach taking a moment to speak of how he would love everyone to just live in the moment, take a break from how fast everything is moving with phones and the internet and just appreciate the community that we are all part of. No wiser words could have been spoke. Live music is life, embrace it, be present and soak in all it has to offer.
Unleashed, Hate By Design and Where It Dies saw the venue drenched in combinations of head-banging chugging guitars, solos that brought a tear to the eye and intricate riffing. These boys know their stuff, and it shows, each and every member a musician of calibre.
Signal Fire which combines heavy metal jaws with the frenetic energy of thrash, also gave a glimpse into how the members look out for each other, bassist D’Antonio’s strap coming off, his fellow guitarist playfully shielding him from view as their tech re-strapped him.
Speaking emphatically about compassion and not allowing political figures or religion to divide people, the band moved into Daylight Dies followed by Rose Of Sharyn, a track that has been heralded by many as defining and a masterpiece of melodic metalcore and live it is easy to see why.
Moving into the final moments of the show Leach spoke of how much fun they were having and enquired as to who was coming to their Saturday night show; “You are? You are?! We are going to be playing some different songs for YOU!” It is almost impossible not to love the enthusiasm this man has for life and music. Thanking everyone once again for supporting artists and human activities, Killswitch Engage moved into My Curse and My Last Serenade, Dutkiewicz taking off into the crowd and playing around the room to everyone’s delight.
Finishing their set on two classic tracks was the icing on the cake, the entire room pulsating, one almost had to pinch themselves to acknowledge the fact that the night had just unfolded before them in all its glory.
So yes, support artists, support the music, and for the love of all things metal, live in the moment.
Sarah Kidd
Photography by Leonie Moreland
Killswitch Engage
Sylosis
Pull Down The Sun
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