With Flint, Michigan nu metallers King 810 in town, opening the night at Max Watts Melbourne (5 March) was Melting, who started with their signature brand of aggressive positivity, calling for everyone to come close, have fun and push each other around.
With a focus on older tracks, the crowd began shifting from a standstill to a frenzy, one punter going so far as to fling himself across the entire venue to keep the pit alive.
DREGG entered the stage to great applause, a great local act, immediately treating us to the second coming of Limp Bizkit, getting us all singing along and bouncing.
With a beautiful mix of all genres, we were treated to a jaw-dropping performance that I'm still processing; definitely an act to catch the next time they play in your area.
DREGG - image © Connor Mackinnon
A slow, lilting start by comparison, The Gloom In The Corner walked in from stage right ready to explode our hearts from our chests with a finely tuned set list built from their latest cinematic album, 'Royal Discordance'.
Singer Mikey Arthur lead us through each song like an experienced guide, showing us the ins and outs of the band's new record, bringing the crowd together for a sing-along of my personal favourite track, 'Angel's Wrath Whiskey'. They tied a bow on the set by delivering some older favourites to light a fire under the crowd and prepare them for King 810.
A brief interlude to set up the stage, King 810's drummer, John Paul Vega, walks onstage and karate chops the two-minute long intro into existence. Slowly but at the same time quick, singer David Gunn enters the stage cloaked like a villain, perfectly setting up the rest of the night.
The band's unique blend of nu metal and well, every other metal genre, delivers a sonic wave of furious political commentary and stories from their home town of Flint, Michigan.
They moved through a set list filled with power and aggression, David weaving a very tight tapestry of music that is to be seen to be believed.
King 810 - image © Connor Mackinnon
They ended the night with a simple "thank you," the band leaving the stage and the house lights returning, leaving us to find the pieces of our jaws that had fallen to the floor during this performance; all this on just the second night of tour.
Go catch the next one, you won't regret it.
