September 5th brought to Las Vegas a show filled with horror, gore, face paint, metal core break downs and yes, there was blood. The venue was already packed by the time the first band hit the stage, and the crowd was raring and ready to rock. The first band to hit the stage that night was TX2, an emerging alternative rock and metal band known for blending raw emotion with aggressive, high-energy performances. Fronted by a passionate and dynamic vocalist, TX2 delivers songs that often tackle themes of mental health, personal struggle, and societal frustration, connecting deeply with many people in our scene today. The band’s sound is a fusion of modern rock, rap, and metalcore, with heavy guitar riffs, and punchy drums, but for me it’s all in the delivery. This band is raw and unfiltered energy made up of anger and frustration that has bled through to create a cathartic and overall electric experience. TX2 is rapidly gaining attention for their authenticity and ability to channel angst into powerful, anthemic tracks. TX2 brought out an energy that set the stage (pun intended) for the performances that were to follow.
Next on stage we had Avatar – a Swedish metal band that stands out with its theatrical performances and genre-bending sound, blending elements of melodic death metal, groove metal, and hard rock. Avatar possesses a striking circus-like aesthetic that lends such a fun yet, eerie atmosphere to their performances (and I mean that in the best way possible). The stage presence of their vocalist Johannes Eckerström, is nothing short of astounding. This man knows how the hell to command a crowd, and he does so in a charismatic and sexually charged manner that had fans screaming for more. Each of their songs was accompanied by a compete atmospheric shift that involved colors, costumes, and sometimes props. Avatar delivers a sound that’s both aggressive and melodic, with heavy riffs, pounding drums, and haunting, carnival-esque atmospheres. Avatar is a band that thrives on spectacle, both in their intricate, cinematic albums and their unforgettable live shows. Avatars performance fit the vibe of this tour so perfectly, I don’t think I could’ve chosen a better accompaniment for Ice Nine Kills.
If you’ve never seen Ice Nine Kills, you are missing out. Their performances are a theatrical, adrenaline-fueled experience that merges metalcore brutality with cinematic horror. Imagine a bunch of theater kids who learned how to play guitars and write badass breakdowns. The opening scene alone consisted of zombies and a Resident Evil themed performance for the song “Rainy Day”. The band’s live shows are a spectacle, complete with elaborate costumes, (this tour alone contained Hannibal Lecter, Jason Voorhees and his mother, Ash Williams, Pennywise, and Patrick Bateman) horror movie-inspired props, and frontman Spencer Charnas delivering vocals that range from piercing screams to haunting melodies. Each song feels like a scene from a slasher film, with the band crafting a narrative of fear and chaos through relentless breakdowns, razor-sharp riffs, and spine-chilling lyrics. Their ability to balance melody with aggression keeps the crowd on edge, while their horror homage creates an atmosphere that is equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. Fans know what they are in for when they show up, INK is not shy about their use of theatrics and even still it is difficult to walk away without feeling like you’ve somehow lived through a horror movie. This performance was (as always) fucking perfect. I have yet to see an Ice None Kills show that did not have me completely entranced in the spectacle that was playing out before me. Every song perfectly accompanied by well crafted story lines and perfectly timed explosions of horror and gore. If you ever get the chance, Ice Nine Kills puts in a show you do NOT want to miss.
