Alpha Wolf blew the roof off a sold-out Fortitude Music Hall in their Half Living Things tour finale on Saturday.
For most regular patrons of Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, seeing an extensive, weaving line wrapping around from The Fortitude Music Hall through Warner Street isn't unusual. However, I can wholeheartedly say I've never seen the sheer number of eager fans awaiting their injection of live music like I did on this night (10 August). In absolute chaotic scenes, hundreds (potentially thousands, given the 3,000 capacity of the venue) of black-clad metalcore enthusiasts patiently waited in line, ensuring they wouldn't miss a second of the music.
The stellar line-up Alpha Wolf had put together was undoubtedly a significant draw. Opening the evening were Swedish newcomers Thrown. I, among many others, would challenge any modern metal fan in 2024 (and 2023) to be unfamiliar with this heavy and aggressive quartet.
Thrown has skyrocketed to near-household name status in recent times. I truly believe their almost instantaneous growth will be studied in the future as an example of how to effectively push your music on a DSP like Spotify, which is known for limited push without big label support (not to mention the minuscule streaming royalties it offers).
thrown - image © Clea-marie Thorne
As a relatively young band, with just one five-track EP and a number of incredibly successful singles to their name, thrown emerged from the darkness of a dimly lit stage and launched into 'Guilt', setting the tone for their set.
The Swedes are heavy, aggressive, dissonant, and groovy. In a tone very similar to this evening's headliners, thrown layer their abrasive, low-tuned guitars with sharp, screeching dissonance over driving drum beats, often drawing on near-hip-hop-influenced grooves.
Known for their short song lengths, averaging around two minutes apiece, the four-piece opted to seamlessly flow through the majority of their set quite quickly – it was apparent they were here to prove themselves and satisfy fans by playing all their viral hits before the night was over.
With a small catalogue, fans were thrilled to hear tracks like 'New Low', 'On The Verge', and 'Grayout'. I have no doubt thrown will be back and bigger than ever in no time at all – definitely an act to keep an eye on.
Next on the evening's run sheet were Texas locals Invent Animate. The metalcore quartet is truly making their mark on the Australian music scene, having toured just shy of 12 months ago in support of We Came As Romans.
Invent Animate - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Unfortunately, considering the relatively short time between tours, Invent Animate played a very similar, quite short, six-track set list to last year's, as there hasn't been much time to release new music (aside from their 'Definitive' edition of the 2023 release, 'Heavener').
Don't get me wrong – their performance was enigmatic, with powerful vocals ranging from distorted growls and piercing shrieks, to beautiful and elegant near-angelic deliveries. In the 12 months since I last saw this fantastic group, there's a new level of confidence, flavour, and star power.
There's no doubt why these Texans are making a name for themselves and working hard on their touring cycle – as they follow up win with win, I'm excited to see where the band heads with future releases, as I'm certain it will only further bolster them to the top of the pecking order.
As a self-proclaimed elder emo, not taking the opportunity to catch an irregular The Devil Wears Prada set within Australia would almost be taboo (it's somehow been six years since they last touched down here; how time flies).
TDWP has been a quintessential staple of the emo-screamo-metalcore scene since, well, the scene was all the rage (we're talking MySpace, Limewire, and overly long, irrelevant song titles).
In my opinion, a band who in their early days seemed a bit overhyped or potentially oversaturated have now put on a masterclass in how to grow as a band without reinventing their identity entirely in the process.
While we may no longer have the quirky, random song titles of yesteryear, what we do see now is a band that has grown and matured alongside their music, continuing to define a genre and set the bar incredibly high for newcomers to meet.
Leading with the driving, riffy 'Watchtower', fans erupted in circles or with fists raised. Again, in keeping with what could be presumed the directive of "get out there and hit 'em hard," TDWP smoothly transitioned into crowd favourite (and emo classic) 'Danger: Wildman'. Thousands of devoted fans screaming "I know a ghost" felt more like a festival than a support slot of a tour package – there was a shared moment of excitement that was magnetic to witness and be a part of.
The Devil Wears Prada - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The Ohio-native six piece swooned, crooned, and evoked big emotions throughout their short and sharp set, including 'Salt', 'Ritual', and, of course, 'Chemical'. As somewhat of a surprise, we were also graced with 'Outnumbered', a track from arguably one of the best metalcore EPs to be released, 'Zombie EP', which was greatly appreciated by their fans – the crowd loved it.
Watching this band with a nearly 20-year history (and seeing how they've grown together and adapted – think changes in vocal range for guitarist/ clean vocalist Jeremy DePoyster, additional vocal harmonies and support from keyboardist and electronic instrumentalist Jonathan Gering and bassist Mason Nagy, as well as additional guitar support from lead vocalist Mike Hranica on various tracks), it's refreshing to see this band become more than just a band, but a cohesive unit, understanding their strengths and executing the largest, most sonically satisfying delivery of their hits.
Finally, the moment of truth – Australian powerhouse Alpha Wolf took to the stage, and when I said they blew the top off the venue, I meant it. Alpha Wolf has risen to a level of success and notoriety that many local bands envy.
Alpha Wolf - image © Clea-marie Thorne
While the band continues to write and release songs that are impossible to miss with fans, they've supported their rambunctious and infectious music with a touring schedule akin to that of early days Parkway Drive.
Alpha Wolf (cult) have been almost continually on tour over the last two years – both internationally and on home soil – in support of and with support from some of the biggest names in heavy music.
Take this tour package, for example – Alpha Wolf and their team truly understand what their fans want, and many could learn from this; big tour packages deliver big results, like a sold-out, 3,000-capacity finale show, their largest headline performance to date.
Similarly to thrown, where it seems the band can do no wrong considering the virality and reception of their music, Alpha Wolf's set list was absolutely packed with their biggest tracks.
To list all the highlights of their set would be exhaustive, so for brevity, I'll save you the long-winded individual analysis and reflection. 'Haunter', 'Creep', 'Sucks 2 Suck', '60cm Of Steel', and of course, 'Akudama' delivered absolutely crushing scenes of chaos with pyrotechnics, confetti cannons, an absolutely monstrous circle pit, and enough strobes to give the famous Pokémon 'Porygon' episode a run for its money.
Alpha Wolf - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Alpha Wolf's live set is, in my personal experience, always tight, heavy, energetic, and still somehow playful. Maybe that's just me, but when the infectious groove of drummer Mitchell Fogarty hits, it's hard not to find yourself grooving (unless you're more inclined to participate in the more aggressive side of the fence).
The stage presence of both Lochie Keogh and Sabian Lynch is second to none, and their energy is passionately returned by their fans. There is no doubt in my mind Alpha Wolf will continue to build on their success and continue to explode onto the scene they are helping cultivate.
More photos from the concert.
