After 20-plus glorious years, Stray From The Path are set to turn the final page on their rambunctious and powerful career.
Fans were left screaming, crying, throwing up, and clambering to their nearest venue's homepage to experience one of New York's finest as they set out on their swan song lap around the globe; supporting their most-recent release – 'Clockworked' – after a shock-release and equally shocking retirement announcement.
'Clockworked' demonstrates some of the band's most creative, enthusiastic and collaborative musicianship to date – a real kick in the proverbial to fans of the politically-charged Long Island locals.
Alas, all good things must come to an end, and punters are lucky enough to bear witness to the band's continued devotion to those who have elevated them to the level they have achieved.
It's a final opportunity for fans who've supported Stray's platform to stick a couple of rigid middle fingers to the bigots, fascists, and proprietors of a system they believe destined for failure (with maybe a little support for a revolution or two) with one more tour around the globe to tell Nazi punks to F-off ('Goodnight Alt-Right', for those playing at home).
For an act that fuses metal, hardcore, hip hop and punk elements, finding supports appropriate would be no easy task. However, bringing US metalcore-ers Orthodox and Australia's own Diamond Construct makes as much sense as needed to satiate fans for an evening of aggressive, heavy, chaotic and attitude-driven music.
In saying that, having been lucky enough to witness Stray in support of Counterparts several years ago just down the road, I can't help but reminisce that fantastic evening and exceptional pairing.
For local-loving Brisbanites, we're also treated to hometown up-and-comers Zuko – you love to see the old-school, DIY-mentality of pulling a local act onto an internationally-touting show at everyone's favourite stomping grounds, The Tivoli.
Discovered and shared later in the evening (15 August) by Stray's frontman – Andrew Dijorio aka Drew York - this was the first international outing for Orthodox, a moment Drew shared excitement to have played a part in.
Not to discredit the performances of all acts on the evening's bill, and with absolute respect, as a veteran fan of Stray's, we'll save the word count for them and them alone tonight – as the spotlight belongs to them.
Stray have never been an act to jam-pack their set with dozens upon dozens of tracks, and their farewell set is no different – short, sharp and filled to the brim and beyond with the steeze and swagger they've gained international notoriety for.
Bursting straight into their groovy and uptempo 'Kubrick Stare', inciting immediate enthusiasm and engagement with the now near-filled room chanting in unison to "just walk it off", the quartet have immediate command of their enthusiastic patrons.
Wasting no time – in what becomes a theme for the evening – the New York citizens barrage punters with song after song, launching straight into 'Needful Things' for a highly intense and angry delivery.
From the first note of the evening, bodies begin to fly across the room, carried by their peers above eye level, and, as later highlighted through genuine thanks and appreciation, receiving support from professional and caring venue security.
With as much fan-service as could be hoped for, the quartet share the set list love across some of their more recent, and arguably more successful records including 'Subliminal Criminals' (2015), 'Euthanasia' (2022), and of course, 'Clockworked'. Although this is not exhaustive with 'Internal Atomics' (2019) and 'Only Death Is Real' (2017) also making respective appearances.
As Stray continue their audio onslaught for the evening, guitarist and founding member of the band, Thomas William, took to the front of stage to animate the iconic intro to 'III's gunshots ('cause f... one or two).
Fans of modern, tweaky, tap-dancing guitar work are all too familiar with William's swagger, of which the band has relied heavily on for decades. Phasers, flanges, pitch-shifting and loops (I think?) are executed flawlessly by this hardcore trend-setter. All with a similarly swagger-laden delivery in-tune with the band's holistic persona.
The rhythm section delivered near perfectly, with tight, punchy drums and bass that fans have come to expect from Stray. There's two-stepping, arms waving, huge chants and sing-alongs, and more than a few circle pits that break out each and every song.
As previously mentioned, these four men onstage are just straight-up, undeniably cool. No cliche bullsh.t, just four blokes breaking their necks and bouncing around for the pure love of it, and love of their fans. The action-packed set contained only a dozen tracks, being closed out by fan and personal favourite, 'First World Problem Child'.
Supporting the brutally honest nature of this act was a brief interlude before the final song wherein Drew told the crowd they were playing a final song – no adult hide-and-seek where they run off stage only to return moments later and continue performing.
When they're done, they're done, and that's the last time (at least for any foreseeable future) that many – if not all – of us will see these fine gentlemen.
Those of us who live perpetually online and have a lil ol' crush on drummer, YouTuber and podcaster, Reynlord (Craig Reynolds), the unfortunate reality of being a touring alternative and fringe band in the current global economy has been explained and commented on in some significant depth.
Though always defiant against the structures of oppression in the modern world, the harsh truth remains; art made with pure (if antagonistic) intent rarely pays the bills and has played a significant part in the decision to call it a day for these modern-punks.
Reynolds has spoken candidly on both his podcast – often with support of other musicians who are all-so-familiar with the struggle and grind – and across social media, about the toll of trying to stay financially afloat as a full-time touring musician.
While obviously never in it for the money, there unfortunately comes a point in most people's lives where the sacrifices made to the mind, body, soul, and life reach a tipping point, potentially impacting the level of love and enthusiasm that can be put into the art.
Art without love (or hate, as its juxtaposition) can barely be called art (in my humble opinion). Understanding the sacrifice-laden drivers behind this unfortunate and arguably early demise of this exceptional band, saying goodbye is a hard pill to swallow.
However, as Stray bow out with the same grit, fire, and defiance that made them essential listening, they cement their place as one of the most influential voices in modern hardcore.
