WAGE WAR, NOTHING MORE, VEIL OF MAYA, SLEEP THEORY In Charlotte, NC With Photos!
By
Pat Yukon,
Roving Contributor
Sunday, April 21, 2024 @ 10:39 AM
At The Fillmore On April 16th
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All Photos By Pat Yukon/@liveshowpix
SLEEP THEORY, VEIL OF MAYA, WAGE WAR & NOTHING MORE electrified The Fillmore in NC on 4/16.
Opening the empowered evening of music was SLEEP THEORY, a relatively new band that formed in 2020. Cullen Moore's (vocals) stage presence is convinced they have been here for much longer in this realm than just a few years. What was crazy though was his resemblance to another musician, Darius Rucker. I hate putting this visual into any fellow Metalheads brain but he kinda does. I couldn't help but laugh for a minute at the confusion my brain experienced when I thought, "Holy shit, it's heavy metal Hootie!"
Setlist:
- "Fallout"
- "Enough"
- "Paralyzed"
- "Gone or Staying"
- "Stuck in My Head"
- "Numb"
VEIL OF MAYA followed SLEEP THEORY, who as newcomers cast a pretty big shadow to step out of. They pulled from a pretty extensive catalog for their set, since they have been in the scene since 2004. VEIL OF MAYA, in my opinion, are an acquired taste in this genre. They aren't my favorite. We all have preferences in life so don't crucify me on this. I will say however I did enjoy their set. The energy on stage is good. I think they are a band who is better live than reflected on their studio recordings. It was beginning to become an unforgettable evening.
Setlist:
- "Tokyo Chainsaw"
- "Artificial Dose"
- "Godhead"
- "Outrun"
- "Outsider"
- "Red Fur"
- "Mikasa"
During the set change and in preparation for NOTHING MORE, I went for a drink. Their chaotic stage charisma is something to experience. In all my years, I have never dealt with a photo pit like this. Never that many (11 of us) but, it was NOTHING MORE/WAGE WAR and first night of the tour!
Cameras are ready, photographers ushered into position. "If It Doesn't Hurt", the new single from their upcoming album, opens their set. Jonny Hawkins, in war paint, literally was insane and in tune with the band and the fans. The energy only intensified with hits like>"Let 'em Burn" and "Don't Stop", captivating the audience from the get-go. With each song, NOTHING MORE showcased their versatility, seamlessly transitioning from the anthemic tunes to the hauntingly beautiful. The highlight of the night came with the live debut of "House On Sand", a moment that left fans in awe of the band's raw talent and innovation. As the night progressed, the band delved into more introspective territory with songs like "Fadein/Fadeout" and "Ocean Floor" showcasing their ability to evoke emotion. Closing the show with the iconic "This Is the Time (Ballast)", NOTHING MORE left The Fillmore buzzing with excitement and fulfillment.
Setlist:
- "If It Doesn't Hurt"
- "Let 'em Burn"
- "Don't Stop"
- "Angel Song"
- "Go to War"
- "Tired of Winning"
- "Ships in the Night"
- "House on Sand" (Live debut)
- "SPIRITS"
- "Jenny"
- "Fadein/Fadeout"
- "Ocean Floor"
- "This Is the Time (Ballast)"
WAGE WAR comes with relentless energy. They tore through their set with unbridled ferocity. Opening with a barrage of crushing riffs and thunderous drums, WAGE WAR immediately seized the audience's attention. Tracks like "Stitch" and "Low" shook the venue to its core. WAGE WAR's performance was a masterclass in intensity, with each member pouring their heart and soul into every note. The crowd responded in kind, moshing and headbanging in a display of pure adrenaline-fueled energy. But it wasn't just the music that captivated the audience on this night, it was the undeniable chemistry and connection between bands and their fans. For me it was such an incredible night of my two favorite things: music & photography.
Setlist:
- "Stitch"
- "Low"
- "Gravity"
- "High Horse"
- "Godspeed"
- "MAGNETIC"
- "Prison"
- "Teeth"
- "The River"
- "Alive"
- "True Colors"
- "Death Roll"
- "Nail5"
- "Circle the Drain"
- "Manic"
Check out some more photos from the show!
All Photos By Pat Yukon/@liveshowpix
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