Words by CeeCee
Photos – rixoncaptures

On Saturday, October 5th, The Forum Melbourne hosted the final night of the 2024 “Live in Australia” tour by While She Sleeps. The show featured an impressive line-up, including Stick To Your Guns, Ocean Sleeper, and Boundaries. It was a night of intense performances, marking a thrilling end to the tour and a memorable evening for the crowd.

For the first time since forming in 2014, Hartford, Connecticut-based metalcore band Boundaries graced our shores, kicking off the night with a powerful performance. Though I hadn’t heard of them before, they quickly made an impression, bringing in the crowd early with an intense, high-energy set.

The atmosphere was set from the start, with mosh pits and crowd surfing erupting almost instantly. Frontman Matt McDougal, along with drummer Tim Sullivan and bassist Nathan Calcagno, fuelled the chaos with their dynamic presence and commands like, “When this comes in, all my friends off your feet!” and “I need anything you’ve fucking got right now!” Guitarists Cody DelVecchio and Cory Emond contributed to the energy with head-banging, and Cody even treated fans to a guitar flip toward the end of the set.

The band ripped through a selection of tracks, including “My Body Is a Cage,” “Realize and Rebuild,” “Turning Hate Into Rage,” and “I’d Rather Not Say. ” They closed with “Easily Erased,” one of the most well-known songs from their latest album. 

Ocean Sleeper hit the stage with the electrifying energy that fans have come to expect from this talented Victorian band. Despite vocalist Karl Spiessl performing with a broken leg—an injury sustained toward the end of the tour—his energy remained unshaken throughout the set. From the moment he hobbled onto the stage, the crowd was immediately captivated, erupting into mosh pits and joining in for sing-alongs that echoed through the venue.

The band’s tight-knit performance was elevated by the talents of Ionei Heckenberg, who not only delivered crushing guitar riffs but also contributed soaring clean vocals that added depth to the band’s sound. Stan Liagourdis, on rhythm guitar, kept the energy high with his powerful playing and relentless stage presence, while drummer Jarred Robson provided the driving force behind the band’s intensity. Robson’s dynamic drumming, from thunderous breakdowns to more subtle, melodic moments, kept the crowd on edge, ensuring no one could stand still for long.

The set list featured fan favourites such as “Heaven,” “Light in My Dark,” and the explosive closer, “Never the One.” They also treated the audience to a preview of their upcoming EP with the new track “Maybe Death Is All I Need,” set for release on October 18th. A highlight of the night was the guest appearance of Matt McDougal (Boundaries’ frontman), who joined the band for “King of Nothing.”

What I truly admire about Ocean Sleeper is their seamless blend of melodic passages with crushing breakdowns, creating a performance that is both emotionally charged and bursting with energy. Their ability to craft such an atmosphere is a testament to their unique sound and powerful stage presence.

Stick To Your Guns kicked off their set with a light-hearted twist, playing the track “Tequila,” which had the crowd laughing and quickly transitioning into a sing-along before diving straight into the explosive “Nobody.” It was my first time seeing the band live, and they wasted no time getting my head banging and feet moving.

Hailing from Orange County, California, this hardcore punk band knows how to take control of the room. Frontman Jesse Barnett had the crowd wrapped around his finger, mixing raw vocals with humour, and at one point calling out, “Let’s get some fucking movement in here, open this shit up!”—which, of course, ignited a massive mosh pit. The band’s energy was electrifying, with bassist Andrew Rose and guitarists Chris Rawson and Josh James in perfect sync as they jumped around the stage, while drummer George Schmitz laid down thunderous beats that kept the intensity at a high.

Midway through the set, Barnett remarked, “We had a cold and rainy day, but still a beautiful day though,” before launching into the politically charged “What Choice Did You Give Us?” The band also playing other standout tracks like “Invisible Rain” and their newly released single, “Severed Forever,” which hit hard with the crowd. They closed the night on a high with “Against Them All,” leaving the room buzzing with adrenaline.

For nearly the entire set, circle pits and mosh pits dominated the floor, adding to the chaotic, yet thrilling atmosphere. Stick To Your Guns maintained their electrifying presence from start to finish, proving once again why they’re a powerhouse in the hardcore punk scene. Their blend of energy, passion, and connection with the audience made for an unforgettable experience.

To close out the night, the boys from across the pond, While She Sleeps, delivered an explosive performance filled with energy, laughs, and waves of crowd-surfers rushing the stage to get up close with the Sheffield-based band. From the moment they stepped on stage, it was clear this show was going to be something special.

Front man Lawrence “Loz” Taylor commanded the stage with his quick wit and powerful vocals. His engagement with the crowd was equal parts intense and hilarious, with lines like, “Melllboooourne, how the fuck are you sexy motherfuckers feeling tonight? Make some noise!” and the unforgettable Aussie quip, “We didn’t come here to fuck spiders, if you know what I’m saying.” Loz thrives on interaction, frequently diving into the crowd to get personal with fans, crowd-surfing through the sea of hands during tracks like “You Are All You Need” and “Anti-Social.”

The rest of the band complemented Loz’s energy brilliantly. Guitarist Mat Welsh’s brought not only exceptional technical skill but also a dynamic stage presence, his riffs cutting through the air with precision. His backing vocals added a layer of depth, enhancing the songs. Meanwhile, Sean Long guitar work provided the heavy riffs that defined their sound, with epic solos that had the crowd roaring in approval.

Bassist Aaran McKenzie held down the rhythm with energy, his powerful bass lines providing a solid flow throughout the set. He effortlessly moved around the stage, engaging with the audience and adding more to the electric atmosphere.

Drummer Adam Savage was the driving force behind the band’s intensity, laying down thunderous beats that elevated each song. His impressive drumming helped in fuelling the mosh pit that erupted in the venue, almost taking over the whole crowd. The synergy between the band members was palpable, creating a captivating performance that kept the audience enthralled.

A standout moment for me was when they performed “Self Hell,” one of my favourite songs. The chorus had me singing along, swaying to the beat, completely immersed in the moment. Loz’s passion shone through as he encouraged everyone to join in, creating a shared experience that resonated throughout the venue.

One of the most unforgettable moments came when Loz called out, “I wanna see people’s faces! Get on shoulders, get your torches out, and hold them into the fucking sky—turn this room into a motherfucking skylight!” The crowd followed suit, lighting up the venue as they opened into “Four Walls,” creating a magical atmosphere that connected everyone in the room.

In true While She Sleeps fashion, Loz also took a moment to deliver a heartfelt message before “Enlightenment.” “If we put the fucking phones down for a second, open our eyes and open our ears, we can be there for the people who need it the fucking most. It just takes a little bit of fucking compassion sometimes.” The crowd responded with cheers, clearly moved by the statement.

As the night drew to a close, the band kept the banter alive with another cheeky line: “We did come here to fuck spiders, if you know what I mean,” before throwing in a surprise cover of The Chemical Brothers’ “Go.” They ended their set with the hard-hitting “Systematic,” but not before teasing, “We’ll be back soon, cause we like it down under, if you know what I mean.”

From start to finish, While She Sleeps delivered a high-octane, unforgettable performance packed with humour, passion, and pure metalcore energy. The connection they create with their audience is unmatched, making it clear why they are one of the top acts in the scene today.

If you love heavy mosh pits, sing-alongs, and plenty of laughs, then any of these bands are a must-see! The night was filled with laughter and an incredible atmosphere that kept the energy high. A huge thank you to the crew at The Forum and Destroy All Lines for hosting such a fantastic event!

Thanks to the Forum Melbourne Crew for having us and a special thanks to BIGMOUTH PR for arranging media access.

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