It might be hump day, but The Triffid's already got punters piling in raring for a night of metalcore nostalgia from one of the OGs that helped spawn the genre.
Atreyu chose Brisbane to kick off The Curse 20 + 1 Years anniversary tour (9 July); and for even more audible pleasure, they're bringing along co-headliners Memphis May Fire.Fans are frothing over cold beers, a few Origin jerseys are among the crowd – I'm impressed they elected to catch a live show on such a night. Moving from the rowdy beer garden into the hangar, fans are already beside themselves before a single scream rings out.
This isn't just another night on the town – it's a 20-year war cry, and Brisbane's answering the call with a sold-out sign that's been doing overtime. To my surprise, Melbourne's Future Static march in early and throw down hard. I didn't know they were support until now.
Amariah Cook (vocals) belts into 'Chemical Lobotomy' like she's exorcising demons – and by 'Waves', she’s grinning: "Are you ready for a hectic breakdown?" with zero interest in waiting for approval. She slams it straight into us. Divine.
Future Static - image © Clea-marie Thorne
As the gathering crowd grows, so does interest in their offerings. Kira Neil (bass) is holding it down with enough bottom-end to rattle bones, but it's her harmonies that sneak in and elevate the whole damn thing. The balance of brute force and finesse is criminal.
'Plated Gold', 'The Hourglass', and 'Venenosa' flow like molten steel – and when 'Roach Queen' crashes in to close, it's less 'warm-up' and more full-scale detonation. This was my pick from their set. Brutal, beautiful, and bloody loud.
A breather. Some reconfiguring. The backline turns into a jungle gym of guitars and kit. Then. . . Memphis May Fire hit the stage with big grins and bigger riffs – and it's instantly clear they've missed us over the last ten years.
Memphis May Fire - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Opening with 'Shapeshifter', 'Paralyzed', and 'Overdose', they waste no time getting limbs down the front moving. The punch lands early, but no pit eruptions just yet.
"Let me know if you remember this one!" Matty Mullins (vocals) grins – and as soon as 'Somebody' explodes, Brisbane fans lose it. The familiar banger has MMF fans screaming back every line like they've waited a decade to do it – because they have.
Before 'The Abandoned', Mullins asks: "How many old-school fans are here tonight?" The roar back is seismic. "I believe in you, Brisbane!" he screams, and the band hammers in the intro like a freight train.
'Bleed Me Dry' brings a shift in tone, and Mullins welcomes the newbies with heart: "Who's seeing us for the first time?" Cue a huge cheer. "Welcome to the MMF family!" Groups of fans scream "you want me dead, but I'm alive," back at him with full volume.
'Infection' creeps in with a sinister spoken-word intro, and halfway through Mullins teases: "Have you learned the chorus yet?" We scream it back, even my mate who has never heard their music before. I get a chuckle when he coughs at the end with perfect timing. A filthy, live human touch.
Memphis May Fire - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Necessary Evil' pulls in a massive groove – a breather moment, and then bang: a drum solo launches 'Vices'. The crowd erupts again. "Jump, Brisbane, jump!" he hollers for 'The Sinner', and for a minute it's absolute bounce-mania from barrier to bar.
Even with all the guitar swaps and blackout breathers (maybe the jet lag's hitting, maybe it's Red Bulls side stage), the energy never dips. "Have you still got some stuff inside of you?" Mullins calls out, and 'Chaotic' launches with renewed fire. The front barrier is becoming as animated as the mosh that is evolving. Everyone's in it.
The red lighting kicks in and we know what's next. 'Hell Is Empty', but not The Triffid – it's alive and banging. They waste what's left of their fans with 'Blood & Water'. The last CO2 blasts are spent, and we're grinning. Done.
Another turnover. Darkness. That eerie tape: 'Blood Children (An Introduction)'. We know exactly what's coming next. Atreyu. 'The Curse'. In full. The second 'Bleeding Mascara' detonates, it's 2004 and "gooooo" all over again – except somehow bigger, sweatier, and more unhinged.
Atreyu - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Brandon Saller (vocals) is on fire. Dan Jacobs (guitar) and Travis Miguel (guitar) are riffing like they've sold their souls for downstrokes. Marc 'Porter' McKnight (bass) is pacing like a lion and barking his own vocal parts like his mic's on fire. Kyle Rosa (drums) is a bloody freight train.
'Right Side Of The Bed' reeks with tubs and riffs conjured from the depths of chaos. 'This Flesh A Tomb' and 'You Eclipsed By Me' keep the fists flying and elbows high.
Then before the walls sing with 'The Crimson', Saller steps back to speak – and it's a moment: we're told Australia's the chosen continent to kick off this tour; and the kicker? They've re-recorded 'The Curse' in full – but no one knows yet. Except us. We're the first to hear it. Vinyls in tow, of course. Saller elicits cheers as he gets us to erupt into the old faithful: "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!"
Atreyu - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Close and personal time with fans on the barricade, then into the crowd! 'The Remembrance Ballad' hits soft but deep. 'An Interlude' and 'Corseting' follow, then circle pit alert – Saller calls for one before 'Demonology And Heartache', and we spin like it's a bloodsport.
Speaking of which, a couple of douches get called out for fighting and Saller tells us the next one to start a fight will get a full mouth kiss from him. I'm not sure that was a deterrent for everyone in the room. I blame it on the Origin – can't be the boogie, right?
We're then treated to an insight on the merch. Apparently, every shirt design has a hidden dick. Yep. Welcome to the Atreyu easter egg hunt.
Atreyu - image © Clea-marie Thorne
He reminisces about the old Arena (RIP) and a shout from the crowd gets personal. One punter yells: "You let me in," and Porter recognises him. He walks left of stage and gives the guy a nod. You can see the dude vibrating with joy.
The album wraps with 'Nevada's Grace' (or if you're reading the set list typo, 'Nevada's Grave') and 'Five Vicodin Chased With A Shot Of Clarity'. We're toast, but they're not done.
Encore time. 'Becoming The Bull' is followed by 'Ex's And Oh's'. Crowd surf time: Saller himself, a koala plushie, and a bloody party box of doughnuts (shared generously). Picks have been flying like confetti all night.
Finally, the mighty 'Lip Gloss And Black'. "Live, love, burn, die," is roared back by every soul in the building. One of the wildest encores this joint's seen.
Atreyu - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Twenty-plus years on and Atreyu are still bleeding for it. No nostalgia gimmicks. Just riffs, guts, sweat, and crowd-killing catharsis. 'The Curse' lives – and Brisbane's still howling at the altar, fangs bared, necks offered.
Blood rites sealed in sweat. Immortality earned in blast beats. Live. Love. Burn. Die. Repeat.
More photos from the concert.
