As I approach the iconic The Tivoli in Brisbane for a night of aural and visual heavy metal debauchery, I see a line of eager fans snaking down the street.
These lucky souls clutch tickets to the sold-out In Hearts Wake (IHW) Incarnation tour. The energy is palpable with a promise of chaos. Tonight (7 September) is a significant show, with Kyle Erich (vocals, bass) exiting the band and the release of a new album.This pivotal tour allows fans to taste some new stuff and witness Erich perform one last time his greatest hits, marking the end of an era of his journey with IHW.
Gravemind, hailing from Melbourne, are the first of four acts set to decimate the stage. With their distinct deathcore sound, they launch into a blistering set that pulls no punches. Bailey Schembri (vocals) leads the charge, flanked by Miki Simankevicius (guitar), Aden Young (guitar) and on tubs, Karl Steller.
The band is tight, passionate, and clearly having a blast playing to us. Though their set is brief, Gravemind leaves an indelible mark with charged vocals, ferocious fretwork and complex drum patterns satiating die-hard fans and claiming new converts.
Gravemind - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Standouts include the bold beast 'Deathtouch', from 2024 album 'Introsphere', and the explosive closer 'Volgin', which seals the deal and leaves the moshpit sweaty and breathless. Punters take a much-needed breather, grabbing merch and refuelling for the next sonic assault all the way from Flint, Michigan.
I understand it's been a decade since original members David Gunn (vocals) and Eugene Gill (bass) of KING 810 last performed in Australia. Roars of excitement erupt as their atmospheric intro concludes with 'Hurry Hurry Ahura Mazda' setting the tone for utter chaos onstage and in the pit.
'Alpha & Omega' greets 'Brains On The Asphalt' – a powerful delivery from all band members in equal measure. What I believe is a masked Tim Lucier (guitar) adding an air of mystery to his performance, and similarly a masked drummer hits hard behind the drum kit.
As KING 810 rips into their set, it's clear we are being sonically flogged into a state of insanity. There remains a lingering question in the air – Gill can't possibly play bass and drums simultaneously. Or can he?
The mosh mutiny continues with surfers riding-head-over feet to the stage during 'Hellhounds' and 'Fat Around The Heart'. Incidental exercise is an unintended benefit at a live gig and there'd be many racing 'Heartbeats' by the time that song hits our ears.
Gunn is a maniac on the stage doubling all energy thrown up from the crowd and hurling it back through his powerhouse pipes as he darts around. 'Vendettas' is followed by the final song 'Killem All'. I thank the heavy metal gods the set is done, for no reason other than punters need some energy for the last support Paleface Swiss and the headliners, IHW!
KING 810 - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Although Paleface Swiss – featuring Marc Zellweger aka Zelli (vocals), Colin Hammond aka CJ (drums), Yannick Lehmann (guitar), and Tommy-Lee (bass) – are newcomers to Australia's live music scene, their music is familiar to many punters.
Fans make their presence known, going wild for tracks like 'Please End Me'. Crowd surfers rise like waves, carried on the shoulders of their moshpit family. Zelli channels raw aggression during 'The Orphan', leaping across the stage and repeatedly screaming: "Get the f... out!"
As 'Nail To The Tooth' hits, the intensity cranks pushing the frenzy to breaking point and mosh injuries feel inevitable as the crowd carries off a savage wall of death. They wrap up their chaotic set with what I believe was 'The Gallow', but honestly, my brain was too scrambled from head-banging to be sure. I am sure however, that Australia needs more Paleface Swiss!
Paleface Swiss - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Water! I take the break to down a few glasses, recharging just in time for IHW. I notice Jake Taylor (vocals), Eaven Dall (guitar), Ben Nairne (guitar), and Conor Ward (drums) take the stage as the now permanent four-piece since Erich's departure. Taylor's scream shatters the moment: "Let's get this place f...ing jumping," and jump we do.
IHW unloads a barrage of brutality with 'Spitting Nails' – a visceral, bone-crushing opener that leaves us craving more. Next, we're swept up in the dynamic, shifting tones of 'The Flood'; screams from the bowels of hell before the song lulls like deceptively calm floodwaters, before hitting out again with an unstoppable undercurrent. We ride the surge all the way through (and no, for those wondering, Winston McCall didn't make a surprise appearance).
"Brisbane! How we doing tonight?" Taylor yells, met with an uproar of cheers and whistles. "It feels so good to be here, playing to what feels like home. You've been so f...ing good to us!" Why wouldn't they feel at home? After all, Byron Bay's just down the road.
Taylor takes a moment to further address the crowd, his voice filled with emotion. "Tonight isn't just about celebrating the release of 'Incarnation', an album we've poured everything into," he says, pausing briefly to touch his chest. "It's also about celebrating 12 years of playing with a brother."
His voice falters for a second, and then, with misty eyes, he adds: "A friend. He's f...ing family, Brisbane!" The crowd roars in approval as Taylor wipes his eyes. "Let's make some noise for Kyle!" he shouts, and the audience doesn't hesitate.
In Hearts Wake - image © Clea-marie Thorne
They erupt, clapping and chanting Kyle's name, their energy electric. On the left riser, Erich joins the moment, placing his pick in his mouth and forming a heart with his hands, sending love back to the fans.
The emotion of the night is demonstrable as he reunites with the band to deliver a beloved classic – Taylor's personal favourite – 'Traveller (The Fool)' from their 2012 album 'Divination'. The crowd goes wild, singing along to every lyric. Erich's sweet, clean vocals flood the room, a reminder of what fans will sorely miss as he side steps from IHW.
Taylor's voice cuts through the noise with a raw scream: "I will stand alone," signalling another dive into 'Divination' with 'Departure (Death)'. Erich stays onstage for this one too, and the moshpit transforms from wild to absolute chaos – promise fulfilled!
The instant the intro hits, bodies surge forward, and crowd surfers again ride the wave of hands toward the barricade. When Taylor commands "jump the f... up" the entire room obeys, and suddenly, four bouncing silhouettes fill the stage.
The security team has their hands full, but remain calm and vigilant, expertly catching surfers and ushering them along. Their patience is tested when a would-be stage diver tries to sneak up from the side, but they quickly pull him out. The room is a whirlwind of madness, and we're only four songs in!
In Hearts Wake - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Ward hits the drums, introducing 'Gaia'. This song hits hard live, adding to the energy in the venue. We're all riding the high as they transition into 'Earthwalker', and the crowd screams the chorus in unison: "We give everything, everything just to feel alive!"
A vibrant light show paints the room in shifting colours, illuminating the beads of sweat flying through the air as the fans lose themselves in the music. The scene is a hot, sticky mess. I swear I see steam rising as a haze from thrashing bodies. It's pure, unfiltered bedlam and nobody wants it to end.
Erich takes centre stage to share the story of how he became part of the IHW brotherhood, inviting fans to join him in singing 'Wildflower'. This moment offers a brief respite, allowing the crowd to catch their breath before diving headfirst into the relentless energy of the rest of "Kyle's greatest hits".
In Hearts Wake - image © Clea-marie Thorne
With each song, the intensity builds and Taylor keeps the momentum alive, hyping the crowd between and during songs. He signals for circle pits, jumping with his arm gestures perfectly timed with the breakdowns and thundering drums that crash over us, pushing everyone to scream even louder.
The chants for "Kyle" rise from the crowd as surfers are lifted above the sea of fans, determined to reach the front barrier. Phones are held high, capturing every electric moment, their owners aware they're documenting something truly special.
In Hearts Wake - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The night's set list is packed with fan favourites, including 'Aether', 'Skydancer' and 'Breakaway', while 'Refuge', with its killer riffs, sends the audience into a frenzy. I feel like a state of mania should be declared – Brisbane fans can't get enough of IHW.
After 'Ark' comes 'Passage', and the crowd remains fully immersed, drawn into the show by the moody lighting cutting through the darkness between songs. Being far from over, the band launch into 'Hellbringer' from the 'Kaliyuga' album (2020). Just when I thought the moshpit couldn't get any wilder, it does.
The perfect time arrives for the band to slow things down again to share a deeply sentimental gesture to Erich. It's a video montage of Erich's journey with the band and his humour shines through, along with the deep camaraderie he has shared with his bandmates.
In a hilarious twist, Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On' soundtracks most of the clip, with Dion herself appearing alongside snapshots that perfectly capture Erich's essence. It's bizarre, but it works – and it's as hilarious as it is heartwarming.
In Hearts Wake - image © Clea-marie Thorne
It's only fitting that Erich is leading us into 'Farewell', a breathtaking rendition resonating with emotion. When he brings his baby boy onstage for a photo with the band and the crowd, the venue fills with an even deeper sense of connection. I catch glints of light reflecting off misty eyes throughout the room.
As Erich bids farewell to his time with IHW, it's a momentous exit from band life. Yet the fans aren't ready to say goodbye to IHW. Our chants for one more song are answered not once, but three times.
First comes 'Orphan', followed by another 'Kaliyuga' banger, 'Worldwide Suicide', a track that pushes the crowd and those still moshing and surfing to their limits. However, even after that we're not done. The energy in the room peaks as we scream along to 'Hollow Bone' with the moshers thrashing until the very last note. It’s a colossal effort, both from the IHW and their fans.
Though Erich will be missed, his departure doesn't signal the end for IHW. To quote Dion, the band "will go on and on" as it should. IHW has firmly cemented its place in the heavy music scene here an overseas, and fans eagerly anticipate the old favourites and whatever new music lies ahead.
In Hearts Wake - image © Clea-marie Thorne
As I make my way home, exhaustion looms after the night's dopamine high – even though I didn't go hard in the moshpit, IHW and their three support acts delivered heavy-hitting performances worth every punter dollar.
This tour showcased precision musicianship and vocal prowess with each band proving to be a brutal force. If you haven't yet, add 'Incarnation' to your playlist – but know that IHW live, is an entirely different beast.
There's an energy at their shows that can't be bottled or replicated. So, listen to your tracks however you like, but the next time IHW comes to town, go, and experience it firsthand.
More photos from the concert.
