Words by CeeCee
Photos – rixoncaptures
What an incredible day filled with friends, fun, and unforgettable music! After two long years since the last Monolith Festival, they truly went all out for this one. The lineup was a dream, featuring Silver Fang, Novelists, Intervals, Leprous, Periphery, and Coheed and Cambria — an international celebration of talent that left everyone in awe.
The event was packed with engaging workshops throughout the day. Periphery led a session on songwriting, while also diving into the differences between studio and live performances. Claudio Sanchez hosted a fascinating Q&A on The Amory Wars: The Past, Present, and Future. We also had an exciting drum workshop with David Parks and a guitar session with Keyan, creating the perfect balance of education and music for all to enjoy.
The first band to play of the day was Silver Fang, our Melbourne locals, coming onto the stage with their signature high energy and an infectious drive that immediately set the tone for the day. From the moment they hit the first note, the crowd was hooked, feeding off their raw intensity and tight musicianship. Fronted by a powerhouse vocalist Stephanie Jessica Rose, Silver Fang wasted no time getting the crowd involved, giving us a taste of their unreleased song ‘Bloodlust’ with the lead singer handing the microphone over to an audience member to sing the hook towards the end of the song. It was a moment of true connection between the band and their fans, adding a special, personal touch to the performance.
With their mix of heavy riffs, dynamic vocals, and infectious enthusiasm, Silver Fang delivered a blistering set that kept the energy high and the crowd engaged from start to finish. Their performance was a perfect way to kick off the festival, setting the bar for the rest of bands to follow.
Novelists made their much-anticipated debut on Australian soil, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. They kicked off their set with ‘SmokeSignals’, instantly getting the crowd waving their hands in unison. Camille Contreras, the band’s powerhouse vocalist, picked up a guitar for ‘Colas’, inviting the audience to clap along, before smoothly transitioning into ‘MourningtheDawn’.
Taking a moment to thank the crowd, Camille shared how this was the biggest audience she’d ever performed for, before moving into a special track she featured on, ‘C’estLaVie’, from before she joined the band as their front woman. The set closed with ‘Terrorist’, a playful and high-energy finale. During the song, guitarist Pierre Danel took a seat on the drum riser while bassist Nicolas Delestrade strummed his guitar and Pierre showcased his fretwork, adding a fun, spontaneous vibe to their performance. If this show was any indication, I’d love to see these guys live again!
With the crowd still buzzing from the high-octane performance of Novelists, the mood was set perfectly for Intervals to take over the stage. The Canadian instrumental band immediately captivated the audience with their signature blend of progressive metal and intricate guitar work, opening with the electrifying ‘Neurogenesis’. The bass in this track really stood out, and it wasn’t just me who appreciated it—the crowd erupted in joy at the deep, groovy tones.
Having had the pleasure of seeing Intervals twice this week, I was once again blown away by their raw talent and undeniable stage presence. Their playful nature and positive vibes made them a band you could truly get lost in. Every time Aaron Marshall stepped up to the platform at the front of the stage, the crowd went wild, feeding off his energy. He had the audience in stitches with his lighthearted banter, jokingly introducing their next song, ‘RubiconArtist’, by pointing at bassist Jacob Umansky and saying, “This next one has far too many notes in it—and it’s all his fault!” referring to Jacob’s idea to play it.
They also treated us to ‘Mnemonic’, a standout track from their new record, before bringing the set full circle with ‘StillWinning’—the song that started it all. Aaron shared that it was written in his parents’ basement, a humble reminder of the journey that brought them to where they are now. Every moment of their set was a testament to their incredible musicianship, making it clear why Intervals has such a loyal and growing following.
Following the technical brilliance of Intervals, Leprous took the stage with a completely different yet equally mesmerising energy. Opening with ‘Silently Walking Alone’, the Norwegian band instantly captivated the crowd with their haunting melodies and atmospheric soundscapes. Einar Solberg’s exceptional vocals—shifting seamlessly between ethereal falsetto and raw power—became the emotional core of the performance, pulling the audience deeper into their world with each note.
The band delivered a flawless mix of tracks, including ‘Like a Sunken Ship’ and ‘From the Flame’, blending fan favourites with newer material. Each song highlighted their mastery of complex arrangements and dynamic shifts, weaving together moments of delicate beauty and intense, heavier passages. Drummer Baard Kolstad’s precision was the perfect foundation for the band’s expansive sound, while the entire group’s chemistry created an immersive experience that had the crowd hanging on every note.
Leprous closed with a powerful sequence starting with ‘Atonement’ and leading into ‘The Sky Is Red’, leaving the audience in awe. Their performance was a stunning balance of technical skill and emotional depth, a testament to their innovative and captivating acts.
Periphery hit the stage with an infectious energy that instantly ignited the crowd. Their performance was electrifying, sparking a wave of moshing and crowd surfing that hadn’t been seen all day. Spencer Sotelo’s dynamic vocals—seamlessly shifting from guttural growls to soaring cleans—perfectly matched the band’s intricate, polyrhythmic soundscapes.
Tracks like ‘Reptile’, ‘Marigold’, and ‘Atropos’ showcased Periphery’s trademark ability to blend heavy, technical sections with melodic, atmospheric moments, keeping the crowd hooked from start to finish. Guitarists Misha Mansoor and Jake Bowen’s shredding was in full force, and with David Parks filling in on drums for the Australian tour, the rhythm section was as tight and precise as ever, providing the perfect foundation for the band’s complex compositions.
The crowd went wild during ‘Zagreus’, with fans headbanging and screaming along to every riff. Throughout the set, Periphery made sure to engage with the audience, sharing their excitement about being back in Australia and feeding off the crowd’s energy.
As the set neared its end, they dropped ‘Blood Eagle’, with Spencer joking, “Guys, this is the fucking heaviest one we have played all night”, “I’m gonna need you guys to spread eagle, I’m serious I’m not fucking around” The crowd eagerly split down the middle for a full-blown wall of death, proving just how far Periphery can push the intensity.
The band left the stage to an eruption of cheers and the crowd screaming for more, proving that Periphery is a very thrilling live acts in progressive metal.
As the night wore on and the energy from earlier performances still crackled in the air, it was time for the festival’s final act to take the stage—the legendary Coheed and Cambria, my favorite band of all time. With the crowd still buzzing from the incredible sets that preceded them, there was an electric anticipation, and it was clear this would be the perfect finale to an unforgettable day of music.
As the first notes of ‘Keeping the Blade’ rang out, Coheed and Cambria launched into their iconic album Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness, playing it front to back. The energy in the crowd was off the charts, and I found myself rushing as close to the stage as possible, singing along to every word, completely immersed in the nostalgia and pure joy that only this album can bring.
The band smoothly transitioned into ‘Always & Never’, with Claudio Sanchez’s unmistakable voice carrying the crowd through the album’s intricate melodies and heavy, soaring guitar riffs. The seamless flow between songs was mesmerising, and with every passing track, the crowd’s enthusiasm only grew. From ‘Once Upon Your Dead Body’ to ‘Mother May I’, Coheed and Cambria once again proved why they are one of the most dynamic and electrifying live bands in the world.
But it wasn’t just the music—it was the undeniable connection between the band and the audience that made this performance so special. Claudio’s infectious energy and ability to engage with fans created an atmosphere that felt like a shared experience. During ‘The Suffering’, the crowd erupted into a mass of crowd-surfing, with people flying over my head in a wild celebration of the music.
As the final notes of ‘The Willing Well IV: The Final Cut’ rang through the venue, the crowd erupted into deafening cheers, knowing they had just witnessed something extraordinary. But Coheed and Cambria weren’t done yet. They returned for an encore, playing ‘A Favor House Atlantic’ and ‘In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3’, which sent the entire crowd into a massive sing-along. Claudio, with a smile, teased the crowd and hinted that they’d be back soon—leaving everyone even more excited for their next visit.
This night created a moment of pure musical magic, one that left everyone in awe. As the lights came up, fans lingered, still buzzing from the unforgettable performance they had just experienced.
Coheed and Cambria’s set was the perfect way to close out the festival—powerful, emotional, and full of energy. It was a reminder of why they remain one of the most beloved and influential bands in progressive rock, and why their live performances continue to captivate fans, old and new, around the world.
A big thank you to Destroy All Lines for giving us the opportunity to cover this incredible show, and to PICA for hosting such an outstanding festival. Your hard work and dedication made this event unforgettable for everyone involved.
EVERYDAY METAL – SUPPORT LOCAL HEAVY METAL
