Brisbane fans of Escape The Fate (ETF) were lined up around the corner of the block at The Tivoli (22 April), with the flock gathering to see The Dead Masquerade Tour that also included support acts Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (D.R.U.G.S) and The Beautiful Monument (TBM).
The party hasn't even started and already the atmosphere inside is feeling charged as right on time, TBM instrumentalists make it to the stage.Some punters continue to chat and sassy vocalist Lizi Blanco, dressed in black (p)leather and lace mesh, is having none of that. "That was piss poor! How are you feeling, Brisbane?" she asks again as heads in the crowd snap towards the stage and punters raise their hands while giving TBM loud cheers.
The Beautiful Monument - image © Clea-marie Thorne
TBM ceremoniously rip into their killer opener 'Deceiver'. Instantly fans and punters know the band is all about bringing us a tight and zesty set of post-hardcore and heavy pop-rock. 'Manifestation' is next and Blanco is singing while stalking back and forth across the stage. She's enchanting the crowd with her commanding presence and showcasing her compelling set of pipes.
Amy McIntosh (bass) and Alex Henderson (guitar) are flanking her. These axe-wielding fiends easily amp up the energy in the room with their immense playing precision, while enthralling us with their kicks, hair flicks and cool guitar stances.
TBM is more than the perfect primer, playing well-rehearsed songs, including 'Burn' with its intense guitar riffage, and driving beats by Adam Pinzone on tubs up the back. Blanco sings out in anger and resentment before belting out lyrics of frustration and pain at the chorus.
Fans are leaping up and down and screaming along. Blanco ensures we know how much of a big deal it is for her to be touring with ETF before treating us to the haunting, yet beautiful ballad 'Stay'. The emotive songstress has me truly feeling the longing and despair of the protagonist.
The Beautiful Monument - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Thankfully, the feels do not linger as I move to enjoy the ending of their glorious set with their recent single 'Hellbound' as Blanco dedicates it ". . . to every f...ing Queen inside this fair venue", while inviting us "to have a boogie". Oh, it explodes with relentless fretwork and is backed by a riotous rhythm section that is getting our booties shaking and heads banging. It is simply furious and so freaking impressive.
A short break ends with D.R.U.G.S kicking us back into gear with their potent anthem 'If You Think This Song Is About You, It Probably Is'.
D.R.U.G.S. fans are quick to add their vocals to this popular tune and the flowing classic banger 'Graveyard Dancing'. Gosh, the hammering guitar riff and smashing tubs are sending punters into a joyous frenzy that is in vast contrast to the lyrics Craig Owens is singing about.
'Mr. Owl Ate My Metal Worm' has Owens ordering punters to perform a wall of death. His wish is granted with intense enthusiasm. Continuing to crush us with the relentlessness of 'Destiny', I head-bang like a bobblehead doll.
D.R.U.G.S. - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The band shifts into a lower gear, to the slow burn that's the epic peak of 'The Only Thing You Talk About'. Punters around me are excited for this as they sing along loudly.
A Chiodos' cover mid-set, 'The Words 'Best Friend' Become Redefined' has Owens flaunting his vocal range and fans unapologetically sing with him at the top of their own lungs. For the uneducated, Owens was one of the vocalists of the defunct alternative post‑hardcore band.
Owen screams the command: "Get 'em up, get 'em up!" He wants our phones to be held up high before the band gets the nod to play their slower track, 'The Longest Road'. Owens thanks us and confesses there was a time he was unsure if they'd ever play again He relays: "It feels so f...ing good to be back in a packed room, for f...ing rock & roll."
He then yells: "This next song is called 'Gold' and I say let's put these gentlemen [security guards] to work. Let's see some f...ing crowd surfing!" Punters readily ride the waves of hands to the pit barrier. Owens is encouraging and relishing in this rebellion.
Owens tells us to "give it up for security guards who are catching your asses" before commanding us to get off our "motherf...ing feet" and jump to the next song. He threatens he'll stare right in our eyes until we do.
D.R.U.G.S. - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The bodies on the floor surge up and down as a single mass as D.R.U.G.S. play their penultimate song 'Laminated ET Animal'. This one is 'stabbing' at our hearts with its cranking guitar solo and we cannot help but warble "Whoah ah-oh, whoah ah-oh".
Post-show rumours are confirmed as Owens invites the room to come party at O'Skulligans in the Valley for free after the show. Screeches respond to him asking "Who's going to come party tonight?" I wonder how the smaller venue will handle the masses.
It is on in the mosh, as the unmistakable rocking vibes of 'Sex Life' hammer our ears. Team crowd-choir, carols: "Desperation, before I hit the ground reaching out for something. We lost it all before and we still want something more. We want it all!" as Owens yells: "Jump! Jump! Jump!" Rest assured the carolling fans are now jumping with hands up high.
With a tempo change this sea of bounding bodies subsides and flat-foot moshing ensues. Punters around me agree that after such a long absence, D.R.U.G.S has rekindled a love of their music. The promise of new material also ensures we will be in the queue for another hit of live D.R.U.G.S. on their return.
The energy in the room has intensified so much from the aural assault of the preceding acts that anticipation for the headliners is at peak. Calls for the band are heard over the chant "Choose your fate, choose your fate" playing over the speakers.
Escape The Fate - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Collective bursts of energy erupt throughout the venue in boisterous cheers greeting ETF's band members to the stage. High-pitched squeals are thrown in the audible mix as lead singer Craig Mabbitt swaggers to the fore.
ETF launch hard into the dynamic and ferocious 'Massacre'. Robert Ortiz on drums creates a resounding thunder in the room that is accompanied by the heavy hardcore guitar by Matti Hoffman with Erik Jensen adding to the bass beats reverberating in our chests.
I wonder how this intensity (even with TJ Bell MIA), can be maintained throughout the set. Is there such a thing as being gleefully massacred by music? Pun intended, but this could be a thing!
Mabbitt tells us how great it's to be back playing in Australia and introduces 'Issues'. This song has punters turned metal choir as fans belt out the lyrics in stiff (volume only) competition with the vocalist.
Fascinated by the portable fans circulating the air onstage, Mabbitt kneels before one letting his hair be blown about making a joking reference a well-known albeit incorrect beauty brand. Punk-rock infused 'Zombie Dance' is followed by the melodic 'Gorgeous Nightmare' and then 'City Of Sin'.
Uplifted mobile phones and the heads of tall persons have me relocating upstairs for a better view. The 'Day Of Reckoning' incites fans and crowd surfing increases showing a relentless, energetic enthusiasm. The live recital of the album ends with 'Prepare Your Weapon' and 'The Aftermath' omitting the penultimate album track 'World Around Me' (its pensive beginnings and long length may be the reason it has been left off).
The band departs. Fans hold their ground calling for one more song – screw "one more", I'll take a dozen!
Escape The Fate - image © Clea-marie Thorne
ETF return. While Mabbitt is soaking in the cheers, Ortiz stands behind his kit claiming the crowd is not loud enough and ETF are just getting started. ETF are set to dish up a delicious supper of their most popular and best of the rest they have saved for last. Okay, maybe I have seen the set list. Bring it, I say!
There are screams from punters as heavy riffage proclaims 'Low' to the room. My skin prickles with the amplified feels while things got happily messier in the mosh below. The barrage of another new track 'H8 Myself' hits us with full force and punters maintain momentum.
I'm infected with joy as I watch moshers going hard on the floor below. Roars of fanatical passion escape from the throats of punters all across the venue. Like most in the room, I am hearing this song live for the first time and I tell you, it is epic!
Mabbitt interacts with the crowd throughout their set. He's making many fans feel especially exclusive. One fan offers Mabbitt their mobile phone to take selfies. He takes this to the other side of the stage. Lies down and takes snaps of himself striking poses in front of the portable fan – the man is just obsessed with it!
Another punter throws up a flag from the barrier. Mabbitt is holding it up high for us to see, before respectfully returning it. This guy is winning hearts. There are also many punters that get a nod, a look, or a mention such as the one made to the man in a pink Power Rangers suit sitting on the shoulders of his mate. Hell, even I scored one wide-mouthed, teeth-baring cheeky grin!
Escape The Fate - image © Clea-marie Thorne
After 'Lightning Strikes' Mabbitt is convincing the band to deviate from the set list to play fan requests 'Ashley' and 'The Flood'. These are devoured by the crowd before returning to 'Broken Heart' from the list.
Excitement escalates more during their iconic banger 'This War Is Ours (The Guillotine II)'. Mabbitt leaves the stage to sing to us hanging from the mezzanine balcony. At the end the crowd sing loud and clearly: "Yes, I will see you, through the smoke and flames, on the front lines of war."
Mabbitt then makes the sign of the cross and faith drops into the trusted arms of screaming Brisbane devotees. He then crowd surfs with a huge grin on his way back to the stage. Yeah, Sydney. He did!
'One For The Money' is incredibly dynamic and powerful. Its catchy guitar riffs and thumping drumming is smacking us in the chops and begs to be shouted out loud. The heavy lead towards the ending is immense. Punters are squeezing out every bit of energy through hoarse throats.
Escape The Fate - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The band concludes the show with group photos with the crowd. Mabbitt appeared to revel in every moment – his beaming smiles reflecting enjoyment. Hoffman let his share of smiles and poking tongues tell a similar story.
ETF gave an explosive set that left The Tiv shaking on its foundations that's for sure. D.R.U.G.S and TBM were hot on their heels. Tonight's wild performance is a good indicator that ETF are nowhere near done with live shows.
I trust this tour leads to more recordings and future shows. Live is best. I will never willingly miss another ETF show, headliner or otherwise.
More photos from the show.
