Words – CeeCee
Photos – Ben Gunzburg
The tour kicked off with an additional show after the first one sold out—this extra date was added for fans that missed out on tickets to the initially announced performance.
The night opened with Forewarned, Melbourne’s own straight-edge powerhouse. They delivered the high-octane energy you’d expect from a heavy show, instantly igniting the mosh pit. Though their set was brief, featuring only about five songs, they packed in a performance that left the crowd buzzing.
Next up was AWOL, another Melbourne-based band that took the stage to the sound of screaming fans. With their own entourage cheering them on from the sidelines, including members from the other bands, AWOL embodied the tight-knit community spirit that defines this genre. The crowd reciprocated with an intense pit, showing that the love wasn’t just on stage but in the audience as well.
Hailing all the way from the UK, Guilt Trip amped up the energy even further. They delivered a powerful set, featuring tracks like “Eyes Wide Shut” and a killer cover of Machine Head’s “Davidian.” As a personal highlight, their metal-driven performance struck a chord with my nostalgic love for the genre. They wrapped up their set with Creed’s “With Arms Wide Open,” adding a humorous touch that left the crowd smiling.
Finally, the headliners—Kublai Khan TX from Texas—closed out the night with a bang. They kicked off their set with “Theory of Mind,” a track that had me dancing from the first note, thanks to its familiarity from countless nights out. The band showed immense gratitude to their fans, thanking them at every opportunity. This tour marks their first headlining gig in Australia after previously being a support act six times. Front man Matt Honeycutt even took a moment to thank the parents in the audience who hired babysitters to be there, with a special shout out to single parents for their hard work.
Overall, it was a night of incredible performances, intense mosh pits, crowd surfing, and an overwhelming sense of love from both the bands and the audience. It’s nights like these that remind us why we love this scene.
Thanks to the 170 Russell Street Crew for having us and Destroy All Lines for arranging media access.
EVERYDAY METAL – SUPPORT LOCAL HEAVY METAL
