CROWN THE EMPIRE // RIVERSIDE, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Crown The Empire have set out on their autumn European tour and were accompanied by coldrain and Volumes.
CROWN THE EMPIRE PERFORMING AT NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE’S RIVERSIDE - 28.09.2018
PICTURE BY: WILL GORMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★☆ [4.5/5]
Up first was the Japanese post hard-core group coldrain, having no knowledge of what they sounded like I was surprised with how well them performed and the amount of energy the vocalist (Masato David Hayakawa) produced. Their set was relatively short but as they increase their UK fan base we can expect to see them headlining very soon, which shouldn’t be too long. Seeing them jumping around being able to control the crowd was a spectacle.
Up next was LA’s Volumes who’s tracks feature groove-driven breakdowns and have a nu metal influence. The group also have duel lead vocals. Before the group came on stage I could hear people in the crowd mentioning how well they perform - “These are amazing live.” Volumes were definitely a fun group to watch, the vocalists were connected with the crowd as it grew. With the fast paced tracks and with the nu metal influence the whole venue was moving. For a few tracks the vocalists was stood on the barriers and were holding members of the crowd’s hands. A highlight from this is when the lead vocalist Gus Faria took a member of the crowd phone and shot a video from the stage. After the performance the group invited the crowd to meet them at the merch table and the fans filed over.
Finally Crown The Empire! As soon as the house lights turned off and as began to play SK-68 the crowd erupted in cheers. They performed a killer set with plenty of tracks off their most recent album “Retrograde” which featured a change in their sound from Metalcore to post-hardcore although there was plenty of throwbacks such as “Johnny Ringo.” The group also included their new single “what I am” which was released a week ago. This single is their most progressive yet, featuring clean vocals only, even though it was just released it was well rehearsed and sounded incredible. After playing ‘Zero,’ Andy Velasquez shouted “Yo bartender get us five shots!” Minutes later a fan brought over five Jägerbombs. As the fan brought them over she told Velasquez “I saw you at Slamdunk (festival) and I’ve loved you guy’s ever since.” After having the Jägerbomb Velasquez said “You guys have the shot glass already in the cup that’s f**king sick!” The group were amazing and with this change of sound they are going to continue to grow.
Crown The Empire are currently touring through Europe and then through North America.
SETLIST: | CROWN THE EMPIRE : RIVERSIDE, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE - 28.09.2018
SK-68
Are You Coming With Me?
Zero
Memories
Voices
Johnny Ringo
20/20
what i am
Hologram
Millennia
Oh catastrophe
The Fallout
ENCORE:
Initiation
Machines