A lot can happen in nearly a decade; in the case of We Came As Romans, in the eight years since their last Australian visit, their world has changed significantly.
Eager punters lined the street in front of Brisbane's The Princess Theatre (2 September) in anticipation for WCAR's final show of the Australian leg of their near-sell out 'Darkbloom' tour, supporting the band's 2022 album of the same title.Supporting the Michigan, USA, metalcore quintet throughout their Australian dates are Texas natives Invent Animate. Brisbane locals Headwreck provided support in opening the evening's proceedings.
Invent Animate, known for their progressive modern metal riffing, expansive and atmospheric soundscaping, and raw storytelling and vocalising, began a crushing set to a near full-house, packed shoulder to shoulder, and with a full mezzanine.
Wasting no time in giving their loyal and patient fans – having not appeared in Australia since 2017, alongside Aussie progressive pioneers Northlane on the 'Mesmer' world tour – exactly what they had come for, the band launched immediately into 'Shade Astray'.
From the soaring atmospherics to the crushing, down-tuned breakdowns, there is no questioning the musicianship of each member of Invent Animate.
Invent Animate - image © Clea-marie Thorne
After releasing their fourth album, 'Heavener', earlier this year through Australian label UNFD, their seven-song set consisted solely of tracks from this release – an understandable compromise when considering the quality of the release and adoration of fans.
Of notable highlight was the frantic and furious delivery of their closing song to their set, 'Immolation Of Night'.
The stage was then set for the headliners with tension and energy high, as fans were met with a pre-set notice that the band was not only minutes away from taking the stage, but that they were also 'greasy', 'greased up' and ready to party. I don't know exactly what that meant, but the promise of WCAR stepping onstage within minutes drove everyone in the venue forwards and to the front.
The lights dimmed and the electronic intro to their sixth studio album, 'Darkblooom''s title track commences. The crowd erupted into an unruly choir, chanting, yelling, singing and screaming along to the anthemic display as the band struck the first notes of their instruments as they emerged from the darkened edges of the stage.
As the band commenced their first breakdown for the evening, there was no question that WCAR were here and ready to make up for lost time with their adoring fans.
We Came As Romans - image © Clea-marie Thorne
With WCAR' last Australian appearance occurring in 2015 on the back of their then recently released, fourth studio album, ('We Came As Romans') there was a huge back catalogue of monumental tracks to hear live for the first time.
However, we were quickly reminded that the WCAR camp has changed more significantly than most could imagine.
In 2018, almost twelve months after WCAR released their fifth album, 'Cold Like War', the band's co-vocalist and keyboardist, Kyle Pavone passed away. Since his devastating and untimely death (accidental drug overdose), remaining co-vocalist Dave Stevens (and band in its entirety) have stepped up and opted to honour their fallen brother in a way so genuine that through their optimistic and positive ethos, it truly lights the collective as a shining light.
Stevens – now lead vocalist, delivering both his original dirty vocals, and now, also tasked with the clean vocals – took a brief moment early in their set to reach out to the crowd and speak about positivity, growth, and sharing love with those you hold close to you. There was no mention of Pavone by name, however I would be shocked at any person present to not have connected the dots and silently pay their respects to Pavone.
We Came As Romans - image © Clea-marie Thorne
WCAR delivered a high energy, 13-song set, with the majority of songs performed from their 'Darkbloom' record (2022), alongside several tracks from 'Cold Like War' and 'Tracing Back Roots' (their third studio album, 2013).
While maintaining an intensity synonymous with a band of their tenure, fortitude, and ethos, WCAR took a moment to deliver some crowd service and not only instigate their own collection of shoeys to celebrate the successful conclusion of their tour, but also honour us with the potentially world-first 'sockie'.
For those that cannot fathom what this may have entailed, let me assure you it was as silly and mildly sickening as it sounds. Bassist and crowd favourite Andy Glass – who prior to this had already taken it upon himself to explore the mezzanine seating and pull up stumps with some lucky punters in the front row, all while performing without missing a beat – called drummer David Puckett to take off his sock, hold it above his head, pour a beer into it, and then wring it out into his mouth (it also landed all over Glass) to cheers of adoration mixed with slight disgust.
We Came As Romans - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Tracks like 'Wasted Age', 'Plagued', 'Learning To Survive', 'Daggers' and an encore and closing song 'Black Hole' all raised the room to their toes as the quintet danced across a near-empty stage, highlighting that WCAR's music can stand alone, and that intricate set design is not required when you have the excitement and enthusiasm of hundreds of WCAR-starved fans.
WCAR proved that while their music is laden with confronting, saddening, and somehow contrasting uplifting messages and subject matter, catharsis can be achieved through the simplest of pleasures, like sharing music and childish laughs with friends – close and extended.
More photos from the show.
