Few people can say they have seen one of their favorite bands dozens of times, let alone have the chance to photograph them multiple times. But I am one of the few who can say I have done both. Whitechapel was one of the first bands that got me into listening to heavier music and opened the door to me discovering many of my favorite deathcore bands. Watching the band evolve over the last 15 years, from performing at tiny venues in our hometown, to touring the world has been incredible to witness. So whenever the band hosts their annual Christmas charity show, us long time fans are sure to show up to support them just as we have done since the beginning.
This year the band hosted their 7th annual charity event at the Mill and Mine in Knoxville, TN and the roster included local favorite band The Guild, along with Orthodox and Entheos. Upon entering the venue you could immediately feel the excitement in the air. For most like myself, this would be our last show of 2022, so we had to make it count. Just as the year before the show completely sold out and the crowd quickly filled the historic warehouse-styled venue with fans ready to headbang as if their lives depended on it.
Up first was Knoxville’s own The Guild. This wasn’t my first time seeing these guys but I was curious as to how their newly announced guest frontman would mesh with the band’s vibe and I was thoroughly impressed with how seamlessly Mark kept up with the band. As always the band’s energy was off the charts and they quickly incited a mosh pit and had everyone screaming along to their track Baba Yaga by the end of their set.
After the crowd was thoroughly warmed up it was Orthodox’s turn to take the stage. I sadly hadn’t heard of these guys before the show announcement but I can say I quickly fell in love with them once they hit the stage. There are plenty of deathcore bands that bring a massive amount of energy to their performances but this four-piece brought an intense amount of energy that was sometimes difficult to keep up with in the photo pit. Needless to say, it took no time for crowd surfers begin flying overhead and the mosh pit to grow two times in size.
Two bands down, two to go. There was just enough time to cool down and grab another drink before Entheos took the stage. By now the the venue floor was at capacity and the rambunctious crowd was ready to get back to it. Entheos had been on my radar for a while but I hadn’t had a chance to catch them live yet. I had heard nothing but glowing reviews of their live performance, but nothing prepared me for what I was about to witness. Firstly the band’s vibe was immaculate and they immediately demanded the whole rooms attention. I was completely entranced and in awe of Chaney’s vocals and dominating stage presence. The band used the show as an opportunity to film a live music video and fans became unhinged and started a crowd surfing competition. I’ve been to a lot of shows and I can say I have never seen fans be so savage, they were matching the bands energy note by note.
Finally it was the moment that local fans had waited 370 days for. As someone who has seen Whitechapel dozens of time over the years, I knew exactly what to expect, or so I thought. But this show was a little different as I had one of my best friends in tow and not only was it her first Whitechapel show, it was also her first deathcore show. After giving her a quick run down of deathcore show etiquite, I entered the photo pit to the band opening with one of my favorite songs, When a Demon Defiles a Witch, from their album The Valley.
Donning six members, the bands stage presences is undeniable. Yet each member has their own on-stage persona that gives the crowd something to gaze upon at every turn. Vocalist Phil Bozeman’s unique bellowing screams and hauntingly soft vocals memorize everyone. Ben Savage stuns on lead guitar, Alex Wade captivates with his animated facial expressions on rhythm guitar, Zach Householder seamlessly headbangs along to every song while strumming away on third guitar, Gabe Crisp holds it down flawlessly on bass and Brandon Zackey is percussion perfection on drums.
After playing Doom Woods, the band exits the stage and the room becomes silent. Zach Householder then returns to the stage alone, with a mic to chat with the audience about Young Williams, a local shelter that the group chose to donate a portion of the show’s proceeds to. After a moment he pauses and brings out his girlfriend to talk more in depth about the shelter and their programs, but before she got a word in he dropped to one knee and proposed to her on stage and fans began thunderously cheering them on.
Everyone took a moment to celebrate the newly engaged couple and to wipe tears of joy from their eyes, but it was now time to get back to the show. The mosh pit had since grown three times the size and the crowds energy had only intensified. The band continued on with a mix of songs from The Valley and Kin ultimately ending their set with the ever so fitting This is Exile. But fans weren’t allowing a Whitechapel show to end without hearing Saw is the Law, and they began loudly protesting until they resurfaced for an encore.
The band’s 7th annual charity show was a huge success overall, as they ended up raising over $4000 for Young Williams Animal Center. For most fans this show felt like the perfect start to the holidays. It was indeed a very Whitechapel Christmas. And as for my friend, she has officially been converted to a deathcore and Whitechapel fan!
