This text is a part of of our multi-day protection of Louder Than Life 2023. In the event you landed right here with out studying the opposite days recaps, test Day One and Day Two.
Following two days of heavy booze and gourmand meals consumption, to not point out a fair heavier barrage of tunes spanning all the rock spectrum, the autumn festivities in Louisville, Louder Than Life entered its third day on September 23, 2023. Expectations had been little question elevated among the many metallic devoted in attendance given the wonderful exhibiting by the likes of Corey Taylor, Megadeth, and Tool (amongst many others), however this four-day occasion has made it a convention of elevating hopes after which surpassing them in brief order. Climate situations for the day would show favorable given the shortage of any profitable makes an attempt at a rain dance inside the Louisville space, although warmth would add to the sweat issue as the assorted bands would compel their followers into movement, however not even this might soften the hardened metallic assault that was to return down from this occasion’s 5 phases on at the present time of celebration.
Although many acts would filter out and in within the early afternoon hours, the primary huge blast to catch hearth within the early fall warmth can be that of Texas’ personal metalcore veterans Memphis Could Fireplace over on the Loudmouth Stage simply earlier than 2:30 PM. Led by the Jekyll and Hyde vocal persona of Matty Mullins, who would work the group like a beast from begin to end, this quintet would lead their respectable crowd draw by a medley of head-rattling anthems, alternating between catchy bangers and heavier honest as all the stage was inundated with pyrotechnics, particularly throughout the compulsory breakdowns which additionally noticed some really chaotic shows from the pit under. Musicianship and rhythmic precision had been a staple of every tune as lead guitarist Kellen McGregor and touring rhythm guitarist Lucas Chandler stomped and frolicked in regards to the stage, whereas the inspiration erected by bassist Cory Elder and drummer Jake Garland shook the bottom beneath the group’s toes. Traditional entries and fan favorites like “Vices” and “With out Partitions” gelled seamlessly with newer entries like “Bleed Me Dry” and “Any individual”, making for a concise but totally riveting set.

On the stroke of three PM over on the Area Zebra Stage issues would take a jolting stylistic left flip with the arrival of Mongolian people rock ensemble and up to date sensation The HU, sporting 8 warrior-clad musicians on stage and all of the theatricality one might think about. To the uninitiated, this band has change into one thing of a bunch of ambassadors for the traditional tribal sounds of a folks that may subsequently conquer a lot of the world. Since their 2016 inception and thru two subsequent studio albums they’ve captured the eye of throngs of onlookers from past their homeland with their distinctive mix of historical ethnic devices and melodies with the template of recent rock. All through their transient, 6 songs set the ocean of followers would constantly chant the band’s identify with wonderful fervor, with crowd enthusiasm being raised particularly throughout their renditions of unique entries like “Black Thunder” and “This Is Mongol”, although probably the most explosive response from earlier than the stage would happen throughout their signature cowl of Metallica‘s “Via The By no means”, all however to the purpose that one might need questioned if James Hetfield had appeared on stage with them.

The melodic finish of the metalcore spectrum would strike again arduous on the Loudmouth Stage courtesy of British post-hardcore elites Asking Alexandria. Initially conceived in Dubai, and now hanging their hats in York, one was tempted to say that they exuded nearly the whole lot British in how they introduced and subsequently carried themselves, significantly vocalist Danny Worsnop, who checked all of the packing containers of a clean-to-dirty spectrum metalcore frontman speeding in regards to the stage but additionally embodied that traditional British metallic persona that hearkened again to the olden days of the style and infrequently the mixed efforts of the quartet of instrumentalists about him even reached into lighter British rock territory (ergo their tremendous catchy quantity “Into The Fireplace”). Ear sweet with a transparent melodic bent resembling “Alone Once more” would commerce blows with extra riff completely satisfied and darkish but nonetheless melodic sonic fodder like “A Prophecy” and “Darkish Void”. Suffice it to say, they gave their finest all through their 9-song setlist, which was common after the one they have been touring on to advertise their newest album The place Do We Go From Right here?.

Eclecticism can be stretched to its limits proper on the strike of 4:30 PM over on the Area Zebra Stage with the arrival of certainly one of Japan’s distinctive exports and ambassadors of the Kawaii metallic Babymetal. For these not within the learn about this novel mix of heavy metallic and J-pop, the sight of three bombshell Japanese ladies singing in angelic voices to the livid barrage of riffs that one would count on from an influence metallic band on the heavier finish of the spectrum was little question a jarring one, however the dozens of crowd-surfers that had been crusing the ocean of onlookers all through their blistering 8 tune set both had been already initiated into this new artwork type or had been in any other case compelled by the excessive affect mix of metallic and pop melodies. Whether or not it was the nasty thrashing mayhem of the peculiarly named “Gimme Chocolate!!”, the pace completely satisfied energy metallic majesty of “Distortion”, or the fist-pumping and catchy fanfare send-off that ended all of it “Street to Resistance”, when the music was taking part in all our bodies had been in movement, together with that of the trio of dancing singers on the helm.

The Anglosphere would rating itself a very spectacular hat trick on the Loudmouth Stage, courtesy of Australian metalcore mainstays Parkway Drive. In comparable trend to that of Dangerous Omens yesterday, these Aussies introduced the fury through each their music and a very breathtaking pyrotechnics show, culminating in an genuine feast for the eyes to match those that had been being actually served on the pageant. Between Winston McCall‘s forceful and gritty vocal show, the stellar riff and melodic show placed on by guitarists Jeff Ling and Luke Kilpatrick, and the titanic battery of the rhythm part supplied by drummer Ben “Gaz” Gordon and bassist Jia O’Connor, the ensuing wall of infectiously catchy sound that was erected couldn’t have been scaled by any mortal man. Pummeling groovy anthems like opener “Glitch”, the rocking banger “The Void” and the unusually meditative brutality session “Crushed” had been among the many standout moments, however all through all the efficiency of this Australian wrecking machine was set on whole destruction and erected itself as certainly one of my favorites of the occasion.

Metalcore would proceed to rule the roost, albeit in a lighter post-hardcore manner, when eyes had been drawn again to the Area Zebra Stage on the stroke of 6 PM and the early indicators of night courtesy of California’s personal Pierce The Veil. Although their riffs hit arduous, and their sense of punk rock fervor might maintain a candle to the extra metallic brutality that had preceded them, the sheer pandemonium that greeted them in response from the largely feminine crowd that they drew might need led one to consider that an early 2000s boy band had slipped into the Louder Than Life lineup. One would possibly chalk it as much as the high-end and nearly pouting character of Vic Fuentes’ clear vocals, or the widely boyish attractiveness that all the band was carrying on their shirtsleeves, however regardless of all of it they labored the stage in a trend turning into of an act sharing the stage with the likes that had preceded them, significantly bassist Jaime Preciado who usually wandered to the furthest ends of the stage and crossed over to the Loudmouth Stage space to work together with followers who had been clamoring to observe through the LED screens. “Bulls In The Bronx” and “King For A Day” can be the songs that hit the toughest, however their total presentation proved a constant glory fest from begin to end.

Because the night drew nearer, a torrent of brutality can be unleashed that may outline the remainder of the night, starting with an explosion of unfettered rage over on the Revolver Stage courtesy of Knoxville, Tennessee natives and deathcore pioneers Whitechapel. Although daylight nonetheless prevailed on the sky at this juncture, which was a blessing given the blended report of stage lighting related to this outfit’s in any other case flawless performances, what flowed from this five-piece plus a touring drummer might be finest described as a 5-song set of pure auditory blackness that was led by the inhuman barks and roars of helmsman Phil Bozeman. There was not a single physique among the many crowd that wasn’t whipping and thrashing about like a madman because the bottom-heavy grooves of “The Noticed Is the Regulation” rang out and ushered in a compact but ferocious auditory kill session. Heads continued to bang, and the ground was repeatedly stomped by band members and followers alike as demise metal-infused beasts like “Possession” and “A Bloodsoaked Symphony” saturated the open air, although the apex level can be when traditional early entry “This Is Exile” compelled the plenty to mosh prefer it was going out of fashion.

With the night sky now principally in view, a very theatric tackle probably the most brutal of metallic sub-genres would unfold on the Disruptor Stage courtesy of the fictional Grownup Swim darling turned touring melodic demise metallic undertaking Dethklok. With a set primarily targeted solely on the animated characters featured on the LED screens whereas the dwell musicians led by undertaking mastermind Brendan Small had been obscured within the shadows, the synchronicity that was completed between the four-piece band behind the 5 cartoon characters banging their heads and whaling away at their devices was flawless. The viewers reciprocated the ferocious mix of American and Gothenburg demise metallic stylings that had been “Briefcase Full Of Guts”, “The Gears”, “I Ejaculate Fireplace” and particularly old-time monster entries like “Murmaider” and “Thunderhorse” with a fervor usually reserved for a Cannibal Corpse or At The Gates. To place it in traditional metallic phrases, it was simply fucking superior.

Now with the night time sky hung overhead in all its darkened glory, all consideration was turned to the Area Zebra Stage for the arrival of the saviors of 90s metallic and unique purveyors of the almighty groove, Texas’ personal Pantera. Although functioning as extra of a tribute to the unique at this level with the obvious absence of the Abbott brothers and the providers of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society‘s shred maestro Zakk Wylde and Anthrax‘s Charlie Benante of their steads, they’ve continued to carry down the nostalgia with a vengeance at each dwell exhibiting they’ve made since reviving the identify final 12 months. The visible show that was dropped at the desk was nothing in need of spellbinding, that includes an enormous LED display on the again biking by photographs relating to every tune whereas a considerably smaller display somewhat nearer to the entrance showcased the Pantera emblem being repeatedly set on hearth digitally at key factors of the set.

It was a completely devoted rendition of what stored metallic within the public consciousness after the ascent of grunge. Our bodies moshed and surfed the group with reckless abandon to the would possibly stomp of “A New Degree” and “Stroll” whereas Wylde wailed away and tailored his pinch harmonic-happy solo method to one thing approximating Dime‘s unique lead fashion. The chaos that ensued throughout the chaotic thrash fests of “Fucking Hostile”, “Suicide Observe Pt. II” and “Mouth For Battle” was nothing if not palpable. Granted, the true excessive factors can be reserved for a superb rendition of “This Love” and the closing hurrah of “Cowboys From Hell”, in no small half because of Phil Anselmo‘s vocals reclaiming their former glory after a long time of punishment, switching seamlessly between a husky baritone clear and a primal shriek that recalled his peak moments throughout the Vulgar Show Of Energy days.

The night time would carry yet one more metallic grasp to the stage earlier than all was stated and executed, this time that of California metalcore turned extra conventional heavy metallic titans Avenged Sevenfold. Theatricality can be a recurring fixture of their headlining efficiency, kicking issues off with a booming rendition of “Sport Over” off their newest album Life Is However A Dream, that includes vocalist M. Shadows seated at middle stage, carrying a ski masks as has been frequent follow for him since their present tour started, and proceeded to carry out nearly all of the tune from his de facto throne. At both sides of the stage had been two platforms that had been barely elevated, with guitarists Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates located on every with microphones earlier than them, leaving for middle stage just for their respective solo slots in a trend one would possibly examine to an elaborate Broadway efficiency. The monstruous LED screens that acted because the stage backdrop would add further aptitude to the equation because the roaring riffs of “Afterlife” got here in and M. Shadows allotted along with his chair and ski masks, ushering in the remainder of a monstrous 11 tune set.

Standout moments of this efficiency abounded, numbering properly past the bounds of being virtually recounted on the printed web page. Nonetheless, a poignant second ensued simply previous to the efficiency of their 3rd tune “Hail To The King”, as M. Shadows proceeded to recount listening to certainly one of his all-time favourite bands backstage somewhat earlier within the night, specifically Pantera, and proceeded to dedicate the tune to them and have a good time the musicians which were maintaining the legacy alive, topping the entire speech off with a convincing “Hail to the motherfucking kings!” because the picture of a crown appeared on the LED screens and the group went right into a sheer state of pandemonium. Different moments of musical splendor would comply with on their renditions of traditional bangers like “Bat Nation” and “So Far Away”, however one could not assist however suppose that Avenged Sevenfold peaked a tad early in what was in any other case a seminal exhibiting from begin to end. However regardless, metallic dominated supreme on the threerd day of Louder Than Life, and the one actual query that was seemingly on the minds of those that had been submitting again to their lodge rooms afterward is how the ultimate day would high what they’d simply witnessed.


























































































