Lorna shore brisbane

it is a fair assessment that as I stood in line outside of the Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane at 5pm on Saturday 22/2/25 afternoon, that I was not prepared at all for what I was about to witness. The energy building in the line as we watched it grow rapidly should have been my first indicator that this show was going to be something special. As the doors opened at 7pm we raced inside to earn a prime position at the rail on the balcony.

To The Grave offered the hardest opening to a concert I have ever seen with ‘Vegan Day of Violence’. The crowd immediately opened into a

circle pit, fight dancing and crowd surfing included. Opening with telling the crowd to “F**k someone up” then proceeded to stop the show after a security guard dropped a crowd surfer on their head when pulling them over the barricade. Dane called for more security to come to the front to help the crowd before continuing. Comments on tiktok videos about the incident recalled hearing the man hit the floor over the crowd and music and hoping he was okay. The crowd could only be described as animalistic as they moshed to hits such as ‘Burn Your Local Butcher’, ‘Wastage’, ‘Made in Aus’ and new release ‘Forced Diet Reassignment.’ To The Grave ensured a permanent spot in my memory as I watched them maintain their high energy performance and crowd control from start to finish; for my first, but hopefully not the last time.

Next up being Floridian band Bodysnatcher. Coming hot out of the gates with 8 of their 10 most played songs, spanning over 4 albums, on their debut support tour in Australia. Inciting a circle pit half the size of the floor with Drop

D tonnes and gutturals, and unusual but not unheard of drummer back up singer in the form of Chris Whited. While not personally my type of metal or knowing much about the band they were definitely interesting to watch and certainly knew how to get a pit going.

From the first tone in low blue light the crowd knew what they were in for. To ruckus

cheers Lorna Shore entered the stage taking their places and no prisoners, but possibly some eyebrows with their fire use, as ‘Welcome back, O’ sleeper dreamer’ filled our ears. As I watched, I found myself finding it difficult to focus on any-one band member as they performed with their full chest. As ‘Sun//Eater’ began I took delight as Nick Chance (Lorna Shore Photographer) dawned the stage to duet with Will. ‘To The Hellfire’ was always going to be a crowd favourite, however the thing I did not expect coming into this concert was how much of a sing along this favourite was going to be. I found myself grinning as the crowd gave back everything the band was offering.

Will Ramos’ level of vocal control, Austin Archey’s drumming skill and Adam de Micco’s, Andrew O’Connor’s and Michael Yager’s guitar playing abilities are unmatched. As a band they perform so effortlessly together, it is honestly a marvel to witness. Bringing the night to a close was the inevitable ‘The Pain Remains’ trilogy. Even knowing the story behind this trio, I was still unprepared for the level of emotion that the sound of the instruments, Will’s vocal tone, the low lighting and crowd engagement would bring out of me. Tears still running down my face, I left the show knowing I had witnessed something truly special, and found myself thinking how nice it was to witness the band through low backing lights throughout the majority of the show, creating an equal balance for all members and letting the music and the performance speak for itself.