Words and Photos: Sam Wilson
This past Sunday at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Georgia, Falling in Reverse absolutely demolished the venue with an electrifying performance that captivated the nearly sold-out crowd. Led by the dynamic Ronnie Radke, the Las Vegas post-hardcore powerhouse has been riding a wave of renewed success since their formation in 2008, which came after Radke’s high-profile exit from Escape the Fate.
The evening kicked off with an impressive roster of opening acts featuring Sleep Theory, Tech N9ne, and Wage War. These supporting artists delivered outstanding performances that perfectly primed the audience for the main event. The diverse lineup showcases Falling in Reverse’s broad appeal, spanning metal, hardcore, and hip-hop genres that echo the band’s own stylistic versatility.
Throughout the God is a Weapon Tour, Falling in Reverse has been showcasing fresh material, notably their recent single “God is a Weapon”, which received tremendous enthusiasm from the Georgia crowd. With 98 million global streams accumulated in merely two months, this track exemplifies how the band continues bridging the gap between devoted followers and emerging fans. Naturally, the performance featured the group’s most celebrated anthems including “The Drug in Me Is You”, “Popular Monster”, and “Zombified”.
This selection of tracks chronicles the band’s artistic evolution – spanning from the breakthrough success of “The Drug in Me Is You” off their 2011 debut to the mainstream triumph of “Popular Monster” from their nearly-platinum album Popular Monster, which boasts over 3.4 billion streams. “Zombified” highlighted their recent exploration of nu-metal and electronic elements, demonstrating their commitment to growth while preserving their fundamental sound.
The audience’s enthusiasm for these tracks was infectious and sustained throughout the entire show. The crowd’s energy remained consistently high from opening to finale, reflecting Falling in Reverse’s impressive streaming dominance – their catalog has amassed over 69.5 billion streams, establishing them among the most successful acts of their era.
The show’s production value was absolutely spectacular. Every element was meticulously planned and flawlessly executed, creating a visual feast that perfectly complemented the outstanding musical performance. Against the amphitheater’s expansive setting, Radke’s remarkable vocal versatility shone through, effortlessly shifting between soaring melodies and intense screams, all enhanced by the band’s characteristically grand production scale.
Having witnessed Falling in Reverse live for the first time, I’ve developed a profound respect for the band and the narrative woven throughout their music. This type of conversion is becoming increasingly frequent as the group continues their extensive North American amphitheater circuit, delivering their spectacular, high-octane shows to capacity audiences nationwide while cementing their position among contemporary rock’s most captivating live performers.
