Metalcore has been a huge driving force in my heavy metal education. From the screaming vocals to the blistering riffs, the resonant blast beats, and hellacious moshing to go along with the music, metalcore will always be a part of me. When it comes to this subgenre, one band from Ocala, Florida is looking to become the best of the best. I am talking about my boys of Wage War. What sets Wage War apart is their ability to throw in djent, hip hop, and nu metal into their signature sound and create magic with it. They proved that in 2021 with their latest release, Manic, and now they are back on the road to spread manic chaos to the masses. Joining them were metal/deathcore thrashers Spite and trap artist nothing,nowhere. One of their stops was at our favorite spot in Anaheim, the House of Blues on April 20th, so Rabit and I hopped in our car, and headed off to another heavy metal adventure.
Starting off the night were Bay Area bashers, Spite. This must be the 3rd or 4th time seeing them, and they always put on a spectacular performance. Darius Tehrani brings rage and viciousness to his vocals, throat punching us every time a verse comes out of him. His brother, Alex, slays the guitar riffs like Freddy Krueger slicing through your dreams. Bassist Stephen Mallory and drummer Cody Fuentes rounded out the group and they both brought destruction to the beat (and that’s a compliment). Spite recently put out their first record with Rise Records, Dedication to Flesh, and it has brought them up a peg in the metal community because the metalheads of that night were digging the new tunes they had created. From “Lord of the Upside Down” to “Caved In,” “Dedication to Flesh,” and “Crumble,” deathcore and metalcore mated together and gave us carnage. The rest of their set included the fan favorites like “IED,” “The Root of All Evil,” “Kingdom of Guts,” and “Kill or Be Killed.” The House of Blues is the biggest stage that I have seen them on, and after that night, I have a good feeling that the stages for Spite are only going to get bigger and meaner.
Up next was an artist known as nothing,nowhere. I’ve heard of this person in passing, but not had a chance to really look listen to him before this night. I have heard him feature on some pop punk and emo bands songs, which I thought might not fit with the more metalcore/hardcore energy of the night. But when he hit the stage, the genre of music that was played caught me off guard. Nothing,nowhere’s own music is more of a trap metal/emo rap style which find sonically into the night perfectly. Backed by a band of musicians, who’s names I unfortunately could not find, they brought the heaviness to nothing,nowhere’s sound that still let the raging fans go crazy in the mosh. Nothing,nowhere played a solid 40 minute set that kept the crowd jumping and going crazy with songs like “THIRST4VIOLENCE,” “PSYCHO_PSYCHIATRY,” “SUICIDE_PACT,” “dread,” “ANX13TY,” “Skully,” “TRAG3DY,” “buck,” “hammer,” “VEN0M,” and ending his set with “death.” Nothing.nowhere was the curve ball to the nights list of bands, but still managed to bring the house down.
Following nothing,nowhere’s performance, the crowd took a brief breather for merch and beer. About 30 minutes later, room goes dark, and war commences as Wage War starts off their set with “Relapse.” Frontman Briton Bond blew the audience away with his killer screams and at times, harmonious tones. Brute strength is what he displays every time he speaks. Along with rhythm guitarist Cody Quistad who sings the chorus’, both continue to make an effective duo on the mic. Lead axe man Seth Blake layered the tunes with vicious hooks that were also melodic. He did not always play solos, but his riffs along with Quistad’s brought the house down. Drummer Stephen Kluesener continues to put in elements jazz and blues to his post-hardcore & metalcore suave, while bassist Chris Gaylord kept the beat steady with his deafening blast licks. The whole night Wage War had the crowd in the palm of their hands with their great set list. Majority of their songs that night came from Manic, and they sounded fantastic. From “Teeth” to “Low,” “Southbound,” “Indestructible,” “Godspeed,” “High Horse,” “Slow Burn,” “Youngblood,” “Stitch,” “Me Against Myself,” “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” and “Circle the Drain,” it was metalcore excellence. For the encore, Wage War hit it home with a stripped-down version of “Johnny Cash” and the new favorite, “Manic.”
Like I said before, metalcore will always be a part of my life, and I cannot get enough it. Wage War put on their best show yet. Their willingness to experiment with their sound with the fans to see how they will react. Result, the metalheads of Anaheim caused chaos in Wage War’s honor. Same can be said about nothing,nowhere’s and Spite. Finally with a major metal label, they have reached the promise land. Metalcore was on fire at the House of Blues in Anaheim, and I cannot wait to go back for more. To Wage War, nothing,nowhere, and Spite, I salute you. Horns up!!!
Photos by Matt “Rabit” Martinez
