by photojournalist Ryan Marchese
Metalcore fans packed into a sold-out Ritz Ybor Tuesday night ready to get rowdy for “The Silence Follows Tour.” Co-headlined by Erra and Currents, the tour made its way through Tampa, supported by Caskets and Aviana. By the time I reached the venue, Caskets had already taken the stage, and the crowd stood shoulder to shoulder. With such a stacked lineup, it’s easy to see why the venue was filled to capacity, even with doors opening at 5:30.
Hailing from the UK, Caskets brought their signature melodic post-hardcore style to Tampa. Their set included a mix from their three full length studio albums. The carefully curated setlist showcased just how well they contrast a deep sense of vulnerability with a surrounding brutality. Songs like “Make Me a Martyr” leaned heavily into grand choruses that encouraged the audience to sing along. Several times throughout the set, the expression on singer Matt Flood ‘s face seemed to say “Color me impressed” in response to the crowd singing along with him. But was truly impressive were the high, sustained notes he hit during the performance. Even among a bill stacked with heavy hitters, Caskets proved that melody and emotion can hit just as hard as breakdowns. Although I was rocking out to Erra and Currents on the way to the show, I was blasting Caskets on my way home. That says all you need to know about seeing them live.
A countdown began on the stage’s screen, and the crowd erupted with anticipation. Once the timer reached zero, ERRA stepped out and kicked things off with one of their newest bangers, “Gore of Being.” Their set was dominated by tracks from their brand spankin’ new album Silence Outlives the Earth. “Black Cloud” and “Further Eden” really highlighted the intricate guitar melodies, driving force of the rhythm section, and vocal range this band possesses, but when they played “Cicada Siren” all hell broke loose. The first few heavy strums had everyone moshing, headbanging, or crowd surfing into the arms of security. Photographers had to keep their heads on a swivel as fans flew over the barricade. It was wild.
The rest of their set covered previous albums with some stand out songs including “Drift,” “Skyline,” and “Snowblood.” ERRA’s performance illustrated the balance between a blistering heaviness and moments of serenity. The band’s signature blend of technical guitar work, atmospheric textures, and dynamic vocal interplay created a truly layered and immersive experience.
By the time Currents stepped onto the stage, the energy in the room had reached a boiling point. The Connecticut metalcore outfit unleashed a ferocious set packed with killer guitar work and relentless rhythm changes. Frontman Brian Wille commanded the crowd with ease, moving from one side of the stage to the other, delivering guttural screams that echoed across the venue. Currents’ performance sat perfectly between chaotic and controlled. Their set was a solid mix of their EPs and full-length albums, showcasing featured singles like “It Only Gets Darker” and “The Death We Seek” as well a plethora of other tracks.
What made this tour especially memorable was how seamlessly each band complemented the others. Between Caskets’ emotional melodies and the co-headlining intensity brought by Currents and ERRA, the night felt like a full spectrum of what modern metal can offer. ERRA and Currents didn’t just bring a lineup of talented bands to Tampa, they brought a night that reminded a sold-out crowd why live heavy music remains one of the most powerful experiences you can have.
