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The Ghost Inside Unveil New Album “Searching For Solace”

The Ghost Inside
Unveil New Album
Searching For Solace
Out Now Via Epitaph Records

Touring Australia This September
Supporting Parkway Drive

The Cali metalcore crew unleash a typhoon of destructive djent waves that are dotted with a dizzying, spiraling guitar lead.” Revolver

…underscores the true potential of a band achieving the next tier in their creative evolution.” – Knotfest

a celebration of the wild ride they’ve been on rather than lamenting roads not taken.” – Kerrang!

“you will very likely be inspired to wack it on your ‘top albums of 2024’ list at the end of the year.” – Wall Of Sound

“Vigil builds up to an outpouring of melody and emotion like he’s storming barricades and waving flags.” Hysteria Mag

Photo credit – Markus Hauschild

After twenty years of inspiring audiences around the world, metalcore veterans The Ghost Inside share their highly anticipated sixth album Searching For Solace out now via Epitaph Records.

LISTEN TO ‘SEARCHING FOR SOLACE’ HERE

Four years since their self-titled album was named one of Loudwire’s Best Rock and Metal Albums of 2020, Searching For Solace arrives at an optimal time in the lives of The Ghost Inside. Nine years removed from the horrific bus crash that forever changed their trajectory, vocalist Jonathan Vigil, guitarists Zach Johnson and Chris Davis, bassist Jim Riley, and drummer Andrew Tkaczyk have learned an esoteric truth about tranquility. As the axiom says, “it’s the journey, not the destination” – a theme explored throughout the band’s dynamic sixth album.

People always ask me how I remain positive,” Vigil muses. “I’m realizing now that there’s never really a time where you reach that point of ‘happiness.’ It’s a constant journey. I know that life is hills and valleys. You must be willing to embrace new things, stand up for yourself, and adapt. Because the goalposts just move further away. The search for solace never ends.

Since their 2004 formation in El Segundo, California, The Ghost Inside merges metalcore’s proficiency with punk’s urgency. Searching For Solace features production from Dan Braunstein (Spiritbox, Dayseeker) who took the reins on most of the record, with other tracks handled by Cody Quistad (Wage War), Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland (August Burns Red, Bloodywood). Building a bridge between more aggressive sounds and thoughtful messaging, the album boasts the most fundamental elements of The Ghost Inside: honesty, vulnerability, the message, and the melody. Unafraid to embrace darker themes and expanded sonic landscapes, Searching for Solace is a quintessential entry to their catalog.

There’s more singing and song structure than on the previous album, but there are also some of the heaviest songs we’ve done,” notes Jim Riley (bass). “We really know who we are, and we also feel comfortable stepping into the future. This is a new chapter, but it’s not disconnected from what the band sounded like before. It’s more of an extension of it. We’re excited by it.”

The metalcore giants will be in Australia this September supporting the legendary Parkway Drive on their 20th anniversary tour. Full tour details below.
Destroy All Lines Presents

PARKWAY DRIVE
20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
I PREVAIL (USA)
THE GHOST INSIDE (USA) + VOID OF VISION
TOUR DATES:

Friday 20 September – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane SOLD OUT
Saturday 21 September – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Sunday 22 September – John Cain Arena, Melbourne SOLD OUT
Friday 27 September – AEC Arena, Adelaide
Sunday 29 September – HBF Stadium, Perth SOLD OUT

Tickets on sale now from destroyalllines.com

Searching For Solace Tracklisting

Going Under
Death Grip
Light Years
Secret
Split
Wash It Away
Cityscapes
Earn It
Wrath
Reckoning
Breathless

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Void Of Vision Share Ferocious New Single ‘Empty’ & Touring Nationally This September Supporting Parkway Drive

Raw, ferocious and oozing with caustic dexterity, come and witness the high octane new single Empty from metalcore mavericks Void Of Vision, officially out today via UNFD.

Following the quartet’s transmutation via the razor-sharp 2023 single Angel Of Darkness, Empty is a sweltering blend of pummeling beats and oscillating melodics, complete with jagged riffs, voracious vocals and a fiery breakdown that all combine to unite the recent journey behind the scenes in particular for frontman Jack Bergin.

“Empty was written halfway through our Australian tour in October last year,” shares Bergin. “We’d just completed our first run of shows back since I had surgery following a brain AVM rupture in April, which left me facing mixed emotions I didn’t expect. On one hand, we were playing our largest ever headline shows to date and selling them all out, and on the other I was facing the fear of getting up on stage every night risking another potential rupture every set I played.”

“Performing under the ‘Angel Of Darkness’ persona for the single campaign, I’d get up on stage and play it down from the usual high energy show we’re known for, leaving every second of gratitude or appreciation to be communicated by a backing track in between songs to communicate with the audience,” Bergin continues. “A protective measure sure, yet I felt vapid and far from the engaging stage persona that had led us to playing these bigger stages in the first place. We were at the peak of our career and I felt nothing but imposter syndrome up where I usually feel most at home.”

“Everything quickly snowballed into more bottled up emotions surfacing, all of a sudden finding myself coming to terms with unprecedented body dysmorphia after my hospital stay. I had never even processed losing all my hair from alopecia until I had to return to societal norms after hiding away for months straight off the back of touring. I’d just been diving into a world of fashion and makeup trying to cover everything up just to hide my face and body in a world where I couldn’t avoid comments and remarks, no matter how I presented myself.”

“Following the Sydney date of tour we found ourselves in the studio on an off day, laying down the foundations of what would by the end of the day, become Empty,” Bergin concludes. “I took the first words off the top of my dome, and screamed that chorus at the top of my lungs, leaving the take from that very demo the exact same as the intro in the final track you hear today. It feels suiting to return now with a song all about perception, not only by the public but also one self.. and it feels like true growth now feeling entirely realized and ready for whatever is to come.”

Photo Credit: Cian Marangos

Melbourne’s Void Of Vision have solidified their standing as one of the most innovative and sonically explosive acts in the modern heavy scene for over a decade. Performing at Australia’s first-ever Knotfest edition, alongside Slipknot, Parkway Drive, Megadeth and more, to collaborating with metal-meets-electronic DJ and producer PhaseOne, Void Of Vision also recently unveiled the amalgamated CHRONICLESseries as a complete album, bringing together the previously standalone EPs LUST, HEAVEN and UNDERWORLD into a gripping snapshot of Void Of Vision‘s relentlessly inventive past, present and future.

From their debut EP, 2014’s Broken // Bones through to 2016’s Children of Chrome, 2017’s Disturbia, 2019’s Hyperdaze and the release of CHRONICLES, a new future was heralded in 2023 by the standalone single Angel Of Darkness; an alt metal rager weighted equally by searing heaviness and pulsing pop, helmed by the titular Angel Of Darkness as the band’s representative during the single’s campaign.

Supporting Invent Animate last year as well as touring the UK and Europe supporting Stray From The Path, Void Of Vision closed out 2023 with their biggest Australian headline shows to date. And kickstarting 2024 with an appearance at Homegrown Festival in Melbourne and with a special headline show in Narre Warren, Void Of Vision are firmly poised for an explosive year ahead, touring North America supporting ERRA as of next week, before joining Aussie juggernauts Parkway Drive on their gargantuan 20 Year Anniversary Tour in Australia this September along with I Prevail and The Ghost Inside.

EMPTY – OUT NOW
https://vov.lnk.to/Empty

VOID OF VISION

UPCOMING SHOWS

SUPPORTING PARKWAY DRIVE
20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR
WITH I PREVAIL (USA) & THE GHOST INSIDE (USA)

FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER – BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE SOLD OUT
SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER – QUDOS BANK ARENA, SYDNEY FINAL TICKETS
SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER – JOHN CAIN ARENA, MELBOURNE SOLD OUT
FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER – AEC ARENA, ADELAIDE FINAL TICKETS
SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER – HBF STADIUM, PERTH SOLD OUT

Tickets on sale now
Tickets from www.destroyalllines.com

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FeaturedNews

Parkway Drive Sell Out Brisbane, Melbourne & Perth 20 Year Anniversary Tour Shows. Sydney & Adelaide Selling Fast!

PARKWAY DRIVE
SELL OUT BRISBANE, MELBOURNE & PERTH SHOWS!
SYDNEY + ADELAIDE SELLING FAST,
LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN.

20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS I PREVAIL (USA)
THE GHOST INSIDE (USA) + VOID OF VISION

Australian metal juggernauts PARKWAY DRIVE continue their domination with their upcoming 20 Year Anniversary Tour shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth sold out within 1 hour. Fans who missed out can sign up to the official waitlist for each city for further ticket updates.

Marking the Byron Bay band’s biggest shows of their careers to date, PARKWAY DRIVE‘s shows in Sydney and Adelaide are also now over 90% sold, and remaining tickets definitely won’t last long for some history-making PARKWAY DRIVE performances this September, alongside very special guests I PREVAIL (USA), THE GHOST INSIDE (USA) and VOID OF VISION.

“Australia, I’m stunned. I’d like to play it cool and say we expected this response, but what the hell? Selling out the biggest gigs of our lives in just a couple of hours is mind melting to a whole new degree and the rest will be gone soon after you read this statement. Thank you so much to everyone that has purchased tickets. We’re doing our best to get second dates in sell out cities, so keep ’em coming. This is going to be monumental. We can’t wait, bring it on.”
– Winston McCall, Parkway Drive

Two decades ago, a band that would go on to pioneer and dominate the landscape of heavy music was born on the sunny shores of Byron Bay. Now in 2024, Australian metal titans PARKWAY DRIVE will triumphantly return to home soil this September to celebrate their 20th anniversary with their biggest headline tour to date, with the 20 Year Anniversary Tour set to ignite stadiums and arenas across the country.

A world-first experience and 20 unforgettable years in the making, Australia will play home in 2024 to PARKWAY DRIVE‘s brand new production; the band’s biggest show they have ever produced fittingly set to christen in their own backyard as part of the 20 Year Anniversary Tour.

Wielding an incomparable legacy lined with boundless innovation, the juggernaut journey for PARKWAY DRIVE from teenage metal underdogs into becoming an unstoppable global force is one most could only dream of. With seven full-length albums in their wake, PARKWAY DRIVE have also scored three consecutive #1 releases on the ARIA Albums Chart courtesy of 2015’s Ire, 2018’s Reverence and, most recently, 2022’s Darker Still. With six of their albums certified Gold in Australia and multiple ARIA wins under their belts, the five-piece have also garnered worldwide chart success, cementing their status as a festival-headlining behemoth alongside three documentaries, a live album, millions of streams and thousands of live performances.

Also armed with an unforgettable live prowess which has sold out arenas and stupefied festival crowds worldwide, PARKWAY DRIVE‘s formidable reputation in a live setting doesn’t merely live up to the hype; it sets the hype on fire, literally. Transcending their metalcore foundations into another stratosphere, the spectacle of a PARKWAY DRIVE performance is one that stays with you well after the stage has emptied, with the band previously headlining the likes of Wacken, Good Things Festival in Australia and So What?! Festival amongst countless shows with some of the biggest names in metal, including Lamb Of God, Soulfly and Killswitch Engage.

Platinum-certified and twice Grammy-nominated Michigan rock powerhouse I PREVAIL will return down under this September to unleash their towering wares Australia-wide. An arena-level band, I PREVAIL have racked up billions of streams, close to 400 million views on YouTube, and toured the globe extensively. Catch I PREVAIL playing hits from across their entire catalogue this September.

Forming in California, THE GHOST INSIDE have survived and thrived against unimaginable odds since erupting onto the scene with their 2008 debut album Fury and the Fallen Ones. Blending the new wave of metalcore with driving punk hues, THE GHOST INSIDE cleave aggressive sounds with thoughtful thematics and melodics, and are set to release their sixth album Searching for Solace this April.

The Melbourne entity known as VOID OF VISION have solidified their standing as one of the most innovative and sonically explosive acts in the modern heavy scene for over a decade. From performing at Australia’s first ever Knotfest in 2024 alongside Slipknot, Parkway Drive and Megadeth through to their most recent groundbreaking single Angel Of Darkness, VOID OF VISION ceaselessly astonish.

Don’t delay and definitely do not miss your chance to witness PARKWAY DRIVE‘s biggest headline tour to date this September, this will absolutely be one for the ages. Final tickets for Sydney on Saturday 21 September at Qudos Bank Arena and Perth on Sunday 29 September at HBF Stadium are on sale now. Fans in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth can join the waitlists below for further ticket updates.

Join The Waitlists For Brisbane, Melbourne & Perth shows
Brisbane -> https://daltours.cc/PWD_Briswaitlist
Melbourne -> https://daltours.cc/PWD_Melwaitlist
Perth -> https://daltours.cc/PWD_Perthwaitlist

Tickets for Sydney and Adelaide are on sale now
Tickets from destroyalllines.com

Destroy All Lines Presents

PARKWAY DRIVE
20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
I PREVAIL (USA)
THE GHOST INSIDE (USA) + VOID OF VISION

FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER – BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, BRISBANE SOLD OUT
SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER – QUDOS BANK ARENA, SYDNEY FINAL TICKETS
SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER – JOHN CAIN ARENA, MELBOURNE SOLD OUT
FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER – AEC ARENA, ADELAIDE FINAL TICKETS
SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER – HBF STADIUM, PERTH SOLD OUT

Tickets on sale now
Tickets from destroyalllines.com

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FeaturedNews

Parkway Drive Announce 20 Year Anniversary Tour With Special Guests I Prevail (USA), The Ghost Inside (USA) & Void Of Vision

PARKWAY DRIVE
ANNOUNCE 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
I PREVAIL (USA)
THE GHOST INSIDE (USA) + VOID OF VISION

Two decades ago, a band that would go on to pioneer and dominate the landscape of heavy music was born on the sunny shores of Byron Bay. Now in 2024, Australian metal titans PARKWAY DRIVE will triumphantly return to home soil this September to celebrate their 20th anniversary with their biggest headline tour to date, with the 20 Year Anniversary Tour set to ignite stadiums and arenas across the country, alongside very special guests I PREVAIL (USA), THE GHOST INSIDE (USA) and Void Of Vision.

A world-first experience and 20 unforgettable years in the making, Australia will play home in 2024 to PARKWAY DRIVE‘s brand new production; the band’s biggest show they have ever produced fittingly set to christen in their own backyard as part of the 20 Year Anniversary Tour.

“Australia, it’s been a while. To be honest, it feels like forever. We didn’t plan it to be this way, but then again we didn’t plan on making it this far in the first place.
So here it is, we’re finally back, with the biggest headlining tour we have done, anywhere, ever, full stop. A celebration of a 20 year journey, of the roads we have walked through, the generations, to the path we still define, our own. 20 years, through blood sweat and tears. Still Australian, still unbreakable. Australia, turn the fuck up and make us proud, this is one for the history books”
– Winston McCall, Parkway Drive

Wielding an incomparable legacy lined with boundless innovation, the juggernaut journey for PARKWAY DRIVE from teenage metal underdogs into becoming an unstoppable global force is one most could only dream of. With seven full-length albums in their wake, PARKWAY DRIVE have also scored three consecutive #1 releases on the ARIA Albums Chart courtesy of 2015’s Ire, 2018’s Reverence and, most recently, 2022’s Darker Still. With six of their albums certified Gold in Australia and multiple ARIA wins under their belts, the five-piece have also garnered worldwide chart success, cementing their status as a festival-headlining behemoth alongside three documentaries, a live album, millions of streams and thousands of live performances.

Also armed with an unforgettable live prowess which has sold out arenas and stupefied festival crowds worldwide, PARKWAY DRIVE‘s formidable reputation in a live setting doesn’t merely live up to the hype; it sets the hype on fire, literally. Transcending their metalcore foundations into another stratosphere, the spectacle of a PARKWAY DRIVE performance is one that stays with you well after the stage has emptied, with the band previously headlining the likes of Wacken, Good Things Festival in Australia and So What?! Festival amongst countless shows with some of the biggest names in metal, including Lamb Of God, Soulfly and Killswitch Engage.

Platinum-certified and twice Grammy-nominated Michigan rock powerhouse I PREVAIL will return down under this September to unleash their towering wares Australia-wide. An arena-level band, I PREVAIL have racked up billions of streams, close to 400 million views on YouTube, and toured the globe extensively. Catch I PREVAIL playing hits from across their entire catalogue this September.

Forming in California, THE GHOST INSIDE have survived and thrived against unimaginable odds since erupting onto the scene with their 2008 debut album Fury and the Fallen Ones. Blending the new wave of metalcore with driving punk hues, THE GHOST INSIDE cleave aggressive sounds with thoughtful thematics and melodics, and are set to release their sixth album Searching for Solace this April.

The Melbourne entity known as VOID OF VISION have solidified their standing as one of the most innovative and sonically explosive acts in the modern heavy scene for over a decade. From performing at Australia’s first ever Knotfest in 2024 alongside Slipknot, Parkway Drive and Megadeth through to their most recent groundbreaking single Angel Of Darkness, VOID OF VISION ceaselessly astonish.

Don’t miss your chance to witness PARKWAY DRIVE‘s biggest headline tour to date this September, this will absolutely be one for the ages.

Early bird pre-sale tickets on sale: Tuesday 26 March @ 9am local time

To Gain Early Ticket Access Register Here -> https://daltours.cc/PWD20Yrs

General tickets on sale: Thursday 28 March @ 9am local time
Tickets from destroyalllines.com

PARKWAY DRIVE
20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
I PREVAIL (USA)
THE GHOST INSIDE (USA) + VOID OF VISION

FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER – BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, BRISBANE
SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER – QUDOS BANK ARENA, SYDNEY
SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER – JOHN CAIN ARENA, MELBOURNE
FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER – AEC ARENA, ADELAIDE
SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER – HBF STADIUM, PERTH

General tickets on sale: Thursday 28 March @ 9am local time
Tickets from destroyalllines.com

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Gig ReviewsReviews

[Review] Knotfest @ Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne 24/03/2023

Review by Cassandra Hale

It has been a long time coming, we have been waiting patiently, and now the inaugural Knotfest was upon us. The Maggots were festering and ready to burst, the excitement was palpable, the hoards were bouncing on the balls of their feet waiting for those magical gates to swing open and let them the hell in.  The colour of the day was black, it came in every possible version with only the odd orange boiler suit thrown in for good measure. Masks were plentiful strapped on with precision in various arrays which were laboriously removed for the id checks on arrival. I bet the owners weren’t quite expecting that!  Eager to go hunting for all the hidden gems and scope the lay of the land before Malevolence kicked off the proceedings I set off, and man oh man what a huge area to explore. The trek to the Slipknot Museum and other offerings such as flash tattoos and a cheeky haircut felt like walking between suburbs, the area was vast but did not take long to fill. With plenty to keep you entertained and a massive amount of food options it was a great place to come and chill for those seeking some down time.  There was even a tent complete with a wrestling ring which held some pretty feisty matches over the course of the day if you were that way inclined. But for now it was time to get the party started.

Hailing from South Yorkshire, Malevolence hit the stage running, wowing the masses from the first song. I was blown away by these guys. They were super tight and extremely entertaining to watch, and I did not seem to be alone as they amassed people as far as the eye could see. The circle pit made its first appearance and it was rabid, punters so happy to get amongst it. From the outside it looked to be moving at warp speed with people riding on shoulders while making the crazy annulus. A few that caught my attention were Still Waters Run Deep and Self Supremacy, and I will be looking into their back catalogue pronto, these guys were worthy of a spot much higher up the order and set the bar very, very high for the rest of the day.

Malevolence @ Knotfest Melbourne

Melbourne’s Void Of Vision took their place on Stage 2 and I could not believe the early turn out of people, no one wanting to miss one band. They had thousands in front of them as they blasted out their thirty minute set with, singer Jack Bergin pulling out all the stops. With blackened eyes and studded collar, he led the boys as they opened with Into The Dark and I pondered how far they had come since I last saw them. They crammed a lot into their set including HELL HELL HELL and DOMINATRIX and closing out with THE LONELY PEOPLE.

The weather remained favourable after a brief shower early on, but it did not deter a single person as they flowed back to stage one for Melbourne based superstars Alpha Wolf. Opening the pit up instantaneously the boys flew through their set with Hotel Underground being a standout. I could see how overcome they were with the turn out and they seemed humbled on many occasions during their time on stage.  Sabian Lynch even taking to the speaker tower to get a bird’s eye view of the crowd. Nearing the end of their stage time they punched orange and white Alpha Wolf beach balls into the pit which were happily pounded around for the duration of the set.  I was left well impressed by these guys and if you are yet to check them out get on it stat!

Alpha Wolf @ Knotfest Melbourne 2023

Making a dash to try and find a shortened line at any of the four merch counters proved impossible, they were one hundred deep at every one, disheartened I vowed to try again later and headed back to catch the end of Knocked Loose. This Kentucky based five-piece had a huge crowd in front of them as they ploughed through their set including Dead Ringer and Counting Worms. After being around for ten years they have certainly earned their spot and were eager to entertain, singer Bryan Garris bringing his energy to the forefront.  One that definitely took me by surprise was Spiritbox, this Canadian outfit instantly grabbed your attention and held it for the duration of their set. Singer and founding member Courtney LePlante engaging with fans as they powered through with a set of eight including Yellowjacket, Rule of Nines and Hysteria. I can see why their sideshows sold out in minutes; these guys kicked serious arse.

Story Of The Year were earning their spot on stage 2 as the sets grew slightly longer and they threw in a quickfire 9 songs. The mosh was piping up and fans were surfing across the top with vigour. Hailing from Missouri these guys have been around a while and knew how to entertain the swelling masses treating us to We Don’t Care Anymore, Tear Me To Pieces and In The Shadows to name a few. Closing out he set with Until The Day I Die leaving the fans fully satisfied and ready to mix it up with InFlames. Hot off their sideshow with Megadeth these Swedish megastars had the punters in a frenzy, the mosh circling like their life depended on it.  With a terrific span of songs on their setlist the fans were awash with happiness and had their heads banging in approval as Cloud Connected, Only For The Weak and State of Slow Decay were among the treats provided. The punters more like the walking wounded as they slammed over the barrier, many hobbling for help as they were dragged and dumped. But that is the nature of the beast and if you can’t handle the heat get out of the damn kitchen. It was at this point that a wheelchair was raised in the crowd much to singer Anders surprise, but hell, this is Knotfest so anything goes! It would be a sin not to mention Chris Broderick who was shredding up a storm, it was so awesome to see him having so much fun onstage and engaging with the fans, and while I may have been distracted briefly by his bulging biceps I tried to stay focused as they closed out with Take This Life.

Viking heavyweights Amon Amarth have a following like no other and it would be a sin to miss their set for the spectacle alone. It takes you on a historical journey, their songs forged in time, flying Thor’s flag as they navigated through passages of history with vigour and conviction. Guardians Of Asgaard, Deceiver Of The Gods and The Pursuit Of Vikings turning up the heat. As expected, Put You Back Into The Oar saw the heathen army take a seat and ‘row, row, row’ if you are yet to see this in action please add it to your bucket list it is quite the spectacle. The masses raised cardboard swords and shields which did not go unnoticed by singer Johan Hegg, their dedication unwavering. I did see one man in full Viking regalia complete with fur and I was impressed by his enthusiasm.

Northlane really did bring the heat as they turned it up to 11, our own Aussie bands stacking up with the international superstars with ease. The mania had well and truly descended as they opened with Clarity and Plenty. The stage set with LED screens from which the drum riser nestled in between, creating a terrific stage dynamic. The hoards not messing around as a wall of death was quickly established, leaving the weak to fend for themselves as the craziness arrived. Cypher, Clockwork and Bloodline all worthy additions as these boys from Blacktown were overwhelmed by the scene in front of them. Closing out with Talking Heads the boys were well spent and had earned a cold refreshment, but there was none of that for the punters who were back to it with the mighty Trivium. Anyone who has seen these guys in action knows exactly what is in store, these guys play hard and instantly turned the heat metre to 100. Matt Heafy had a smile for miles, his face ever expressive as they worked through an impressive set including Rain, Feast of Fire and Down From The Sky. The pits were intensifying which each band and they took on a pulse of their own as Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr rang out, it was Trivium’s fourteenth trip to Australia and gauging the crowd response it definitely won’t be the last.

Stalwarts of thrash metal and members of The Big Four, the highly anticipated Megadeth’s time had come. The chants of ‘Megadeth’ started long before they hit the stage, the thrash army pumped and ready to mosh. The intro to Prince Of Darkness got the juices flowing as the band unleashed with Hangar 18, Dread And The Fugitive Mind and Angry Again. Dave Mustaine in peak form and smashing out all the hits with ease. Kiko Loureiro working the stage with ease his guitar shredding exemplary, it was such a joy to watch him at work, he owned the stage and boy can he play a guitar! Their stage also came complete with LED screens and an elevated drum riser giving a terrific view of Dirk Verbeuren as he smashed the skins to within an inch of his life. James LoMenzo is the god of bass and so much fun to watch on stage, his crowd engagement is undying giving every fan an up-close experience. Symphony Of Destruction with its signature intro set fans into a frenzy and made them hungry for more. But would any Megadeth show be complete without a quick appearance from Vic Rattlehead, of course not. Peace Sells was the song when he staggered out and the punters went crazy, taking the mosh up a level and saluting this iconic mascot.  There was only one song the fans wanted to finish out the set and it had to be Holy Wars, a Megadeth classic and one that left an air of contentment across the smiling faces of the pit.

Parkway Drive is a household name worldwide these days, the boys have worked ridiculously hard to forge their place in the music industry and it is now paying off in spades.  Their show is a spectacle to behold and I can not begin to describe the size of the crowd that had amassed, there was literally thousands upon thousands as far as the eye could see.  A sea of people moving as one so eager to regain their lost years of music and soak up every minute on offer. They don’t get much bigger in Australia than Parkway Drive and they delivered a show with every bell and whistle and then some. It had flames, it had pryo, it had smoke, it even had a drone taking in all the action. Winston McCall a born entertainer, had the crowd eating out of his hand as the band worked through their hour and a quarter set, including Glitch, Carrion and Vice Grip to name a few, his graciousness was unending to the fans and his face showed his happiness all night. The addition of strings lifted the show to new heights, the violin and cello setting a sunning scene as the sun set over Flemington Racecourse. Winston returned shirtless to start a few hearts racing as they finished out with Crushed and Wild Eyes, flames blasting off every place possible and warming up the quickly cooling venue.

The time had come to honour the name’s sake of the festival itself, Slipknot. The build-up had been one of gargantuan proportions, selling out every show in Australia, the fans voting with their hard earned desperate to see their musical heroes. It has been a long wait six years in fact, the maggot family reunited and ready to raise hell.  Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 played briefly before the AC/DC classic For Those About To Rock stilled the fans, tension was palpable the giant Slipknot banner waving in the wind across the stage, as it dropped Flemington Racecourse exploded. Disasterpiece, Wait And Bleed, and All Out Life got pulses racing and the collective mosh bouncing. Corey Taylor demanded your attention and every eye was on him as fan fave, Sulfur rang out, the stage a mass of impressive screens and lighting, flame throwers rocking the night sky. The show briefly halted while one bozo tried his luck climbing a speaker tower, but the problem was quickly rectified, and the show went on without a hitch. The stage having the trademark Slipknot drum set up on either side raised high to give everyone a perfect viewing platform while the main kit took pride of place. Psychosocial left the hoards panting along with Duality and Custer which just formed a small part of the blistering setlist.  Spit It Out took the show to new levels as we all got ready to get low and hold until our preacher Corey ‘mother fucking’ Taylor told us to ‘jump the fuck up’ it was surreal moment and one that always brings the chills with it. The hold he had over the thousands was masterful to watch, the power he held in his hands mind blowing.  After a quick trip off stage the night was complete with People = Shit and Surfacing what a way to finish of the most amazing day, Corey constantly thanking the fans for their unwavering support, his appreciation paramount all night.

As the war-wounded and weary made their way from the stage, their faces tired, their bodies feeling every bit their age I know with all certainty they would jump back in the pit to do it all again without a moment’s hesitation. The sound, the lighting and effects made the festival what it was, kudos to all involved your dedication and attention to detail made for a wonderful experience and it did not go unnoticed.

Knotfest Australia 2023 was a resounding success, congratulations to each and every person involved, you brought so much joy to the fans and gave them memories to cherish for a lifetime. Now we wait with bated breath until next time……

Amon Amarth, Trivium & Malevolence will be back on stage at the very first KNOTFEST AUSTRALIA kicking off today in Melbourne!

KNOTFEST AUSTRALIA 2023
LINE UP:
 
Slipknot | Parkway Drive | Megadeth | Trivium | Northlane | Amon Amarth
 In Flames Knocked Loose | Spiritbox | Story Of The Year | Alpha Wolf
 Void Of Vision | Bad Omens | Malevolence

DATES AND VENUES:
Friday 24 March 2023 – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne SOLD OUT
Saturday 25 March 2023 – Centennial Park, Sydney
SOLD OUT
Sunday 26 March 2023 – RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane 
SOLD OUT

Information available at destroyalllines.com

March 24th, 2023 – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne

Saturday 25 March 2023 – Centennial Park, Sydney

Sunday 26 March 2023 – RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane 

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