By photojournalist Ryan Marchese
The lineup at Tampa’s Orpheum for March 12th promised to go hard and boy did it deliver. Of the bands three were familiar to me while the fourth was a complete unknown, but I was blown away by all of them. Make Them Suffer headlined the show, supported by Aviana, Windwaker, and Like Moths to Flames in what turned out to be a high-octane evening of metalcore and post-hardcore goodness.
Kicking things off was the Swedish metalcore band Aviana, known for their mystique, progressive guitar leads and heavy breakdowns. Unfortunately, I only caught the tail end of their set thanks to an accident and traffic on my way up to Tampa, but what I did catch lived up to my expectations and made me hungry for more. They closed out their set with “Obsession”, which was like a punch in the face, setting the tone for the night ahead.
Hailing from Australia, Windwaker, took the stage next. Frontman Liam Guinane ran from one side of the stage to the other, bringing the high energy and infectious stage presence needed to get the crowd moving. Known for their blend of post-hardcore, metalcore, and a bit of electronic flair, their set was filled with catchy riffs, syncopated rhythms, and plenty of screaming. Tracks like “Venom” and “Break the Rules” had the crowd vibing with the groove-heavy breakdowns. Windwaker proved to be the perfect bridge between the heavier, grittier Aviana and the intensity of what would come.
Like Moths to Flames ramped up the energy in a big way. The Ohio-based metalcore band is known for their pummeling breakdowns and aggressive yet melodic vocals. It had been a while since I saw LMTF perform, and they were just as intense and entertaining as I remember. Chris Roetter’s raw, guttural screams rattled the Orpheum. He also gave animated demonstrations to fans on how to jump around and get rowdy. The band’s set included some old tracks, some new, and some in between, including “The Worst in Me” and “Kintsugi,” which showcased their balance of aggressive instrumentation with melodic flourishes. While the band brought an intensity to the stage, the crowd reciprocated by singing along with choruses, opening up the pit and crowd-surfing chaos. Like Moths to Flames delivered a set that was both vicious and cathartic, a true testament to their status in the modern metalcore scene.
As the headliners of the night, Make Them Suffer were primed to bring everything to a head, and they did so in spectacular fashion. The Australian symphonic deathcore band has cultivated a passionate following, and it was clear why during their performance. With Sean Harmanis leading the charge on vocals, the band’s wall of sound—spanning heavy breakdowns, orchestral elements, and melodic passages—was brutal in the best way. The heavy, atmospheric production was enhanced by Alex Reade’s hauntingly beautiful vocals and talent on the keys, adding a layer of cinematic grandeur to their already massive sound.
