Words and Photos: Josh Trotter
Nashville’s music scene has long been celebrated for its diverse offerings, from country and blues to rock and indie. On a crisp Sunday night at the Brooklyn Bowl, the city’s vibrant atmosphere welcomed a lineup that promised a relentless onslaught of metalcore and hardcore sounds. Headlining the event were the seasoned performers We Came As Romans, supported by the formidable Archetypes Collide, the brutalizing Bodysnatcher, and the unapologetically intense Emmure. As the crowd gathered in anticipation, the stage was set for an unforgettable evening of heavy riffs, pounding drums, and impassioned vocals.
The night kicked off with Archetypes Collide, a local band hailing from Nashville, taking the stage as the hometown heroes. Their melodic metalcore sound provided a dynamic shift from the unrelenting brutality of the previous acts. With intricate guitar work, harmonious melodies, and a rhythm section that balanced aggression with finesse, Archetypes Collide showcased the depth and diversity of the metalcore genre. Vocalist Alex Vance’s clean and harsh vocals added a layer of emotional depth to their performance, connecting with the audience on a personal level. The band’s chemistry was evident as they navigated through a setlist that demonstrated both their technical prowess and songwriting finesse.
Bodysnatcher took the stage next, and if Archetypes Collide had set a high bar, Bodysnatcher aimed to surpass it. The Florida-based deathcore outfit wasted no time in pummeling the crowd with relentless aggression. The air was thick with the pulsating beats of drummer Chris Whited, while the dual guitar assault of Kyle Carter and Kyle Shope delivered razor-sharp riffs that cut through the venue. Vocalist Scott Danough’s visceral screams echoed through the Brooklyn Bowl, creating an atmosphere of controlled chaos. The mosh pit swirled and surged as Bodysnatcher’s sonic onslaught resonated with those craving the heaviest of heavy music.
Up next, Emmure, a band known for their raw and aggressive style. Hitting the stage like a sonic hurricane, Emmure wasted no time in unleashing their brutal sound upon the audience. The Brooklyn Bowl reverberated with the bone-shaking bass and thunderous breakdowns, setting the tone for a night of unrelenting energy. Vocalist Frankie Palmeri’s guttural growls and ferocious stage presence commanded attention, drawing the audience into the intensity of their performance.
As the night reached its zenith, the crowd’s anticipation for the headlining act, We Came As Romans, reached a fever pitch. The stage was bathed in an ethereal glow as the Michigan-based metalcore veterans took their positions. From the first note, it was evident that We Came As Romans were here to deliver a performance that transcended mere entertainment – it was a cathartic experience for both the band and the audience.
Launching into their set with the anthemic “To Plant a Seed,” the title track from their debut album, We Came As Romans immediately captured the crowd’s attention. Vocalists Dave Stephens and Kyle Pavone showcased their dynamic vocal range, seamlessly transitioning between clean harmonies and intense screams. The dual guitar attack of Joshua Moore and Lou Cotton, coupled with the thunderous rhythm section of Andy Glass on bass and David Puckett on drums, created a wall of sound that enveloped the venue.
The setlist spanned the band’s discography, from the early days of “Understanding What We’ve Grown to Be” to the more recent “Darkbloom.” Each song was met with an enthusiastic response from the crowd, with fans singing along to every word and engaging in the collective euphoria of the music. The emotional apex came during the performance of “Hope,” a poignant ballad that allowed the audience to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the human experience.
We Came As Romans also paid tribute to their late vocalist, Kyle Pavone, who tragically passed away in 2018. The band’s resilience and commitment to carrying on his legacy were palpable, creating a poignant moment of unity between the performers and their devoted fans. As they played “Carry the Weight,” the lyrics resonated with a profound sense of purpose, embodying the band’s determination to honor the memory of their fallen comrade.
The visual spectacle of the performance added an extra layer to the sonic experience. Strobe lights, smoke machines, video screen on the back of the stage and dynamic stage lighting heightened the intensity of each song, creating a sensory overload that mirrored the emotional peaks and valleys of the music. The interaction between the band and the crowd was electric, with We Came As Romans feeding off the energy of their fans and reciprocating with a performance that was as visually captivating as it was musically powerful.
As the night drew to a close, and the echoes of the final song faded away, the crowd was left in a state of collective exhilaration. We Came As Romans had delivered a performance that transcended the typical concert experience, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of everyone in attendance. The combination of relentless energy, emotional depth, and musical proficiency solidified the night as a testament to the enduring power of heavy music and its ability to forge connections that go beyond the confines of the stage. The Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville had witnessed a night of unbridled passion and sonic intensity, reminding everyone in attendance why live music is an irreplaceable and transformative force.
https://www.facebook.com/wecameasromans
BODYSNATCHER w/ We Came As Romans, Emmure, Archetypes Collide:
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10/13/2023 The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
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10/15/2023 The Forge – Joliet, IL
10/17/2023 Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY
10/18/2023 Danforth – Toronto, ON
10/20/2023 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
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10/22/2023 Fete Music Hall – Providence, RI
10/24/2023 Empire Live – Albany, NY
10/25/2023 HMAC – Harrisburg, PA
10/27/2023 The Norva – Norfolk, VA
10/28/2023 Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC
10/29/2023 The Senate – Columbia, SC
10/31/2023 Revolution – Fort Lauderdale, FL
11/01/2023 Jannus Live – Tampa, FL
11/03/2023 House Of Blues – New Orleans, LA
11/04/2023 House Of Blues – Dallas, TX
11/05/2023 Vibes Event Center – San Antonio, TX
11/06/2023 Encore – Tucson, AZ
11/08/2023 House Of Blues – San Diego, CA
11/10/2023 Fox Theater – Pomona, CA
11/11/2023 Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas, NV
11/12/2023 The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
11/14/2023 Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
11/15/2023 The Admiral – Omaha, NE
11/17/2023 Red Flag – St. Louis, MO
11/18/2023 Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH
11/19/2023 Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN
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