In a blazing crescendo of metal mastery, the Oncenter War Memorial in Syracuse bore witness to a seismic collision of sonic forces as Gojira and Mastodon united in a co-headlining tour that left the audience spellbound. The evening was an electrifying journey that began with the intense ferocity of Lorna Shore, setting the stage for an unforgettable night of melodic chaos and unbridled energy.
Lorna Shore ignited the atmosphere with an unrelenting onslaught of blistering tracks. The crowd was propelled into a maelstrom of sound as they unleashed the primal fury of “Sun//Eater” and the guttural intensity of “Cursed to Die.” The unapologetically heavy “Into The Earth” sent shockwaves through the venue, reverberating through the bones of every attendee.
However, it was the mesmerizing three-part opus of “Pain Remains” that truly captivated the audience, guiding them through an emotional odyssey that resonated deeply. The performance was more than just music; it was a cathartic release that manifested in fervent mosh pits, a swirling sea of bodies in harmonious chaos. Lorna Shore’s unyielding presence and raw energy served as an incendiary introduction that ignited the night’s fiery proceedings.
Gojira, the heralds of progressive metal, took the stage with an aura of enigmatic reverence. As the first notes of “Born for One Thing” reverberated, the crowd was transported into a sonic realm where the dichotomy of heaviness and melody coalesced seamlessly. “Backbone” and “Stranded” demonstrated the band’s masterful command of dynamics, alternating between thunderous riffs and ethereal passages that seemed to hang in the air like a delicate mist. The audience’s anticipation reached a fever pitch as the familiar opening of “Flying Whales” erupted, triggering a collective frenzy of headbanging and fist-pumping that reverberated throughout the venue.
Gojira’s performance was a showcase of musical finesse and emotional resonance. “The Cell” and “The Art of Dying” served as sonic tapestries, woven with intricate layers of sound that painted a vivid emotional landscape. A captivating drum solo added a mesmerizing dimension to the performance, capturing the audience’s attention in a hypnotic trance. But it was Gojira’s commitment to their eco-conscious message that truly set them apart. Tracks like “Amazonia” weren’t just songs but powerful rallying cries for environmental awareness, seamlessly merging artistry and activism on stage. As the night reached its zenith with the haunting strains of “The Gift of Guilt,” it was clear that Gojira had left an indelible mark not only on the audience’s ears, but also on their hearts and minds.
Mastodon, the titans of modern progressive metal, commanded the stage with a setlist that spanned their storied career. The opening salvo of “The Wolf Is Loose” and “Crystal Skull” unleashed a torrent of sonic energy that rippled through the crowd. The colossal force of “Megalodon” showcased Mastodon’s ability to craft massive, sludgy riffs that pummeled the audience like a sonic avalanche. The mesmerizing “Divinations” and the ethereal journey of “Andromeda” were a testament to the band’s genre-defying prowess, seamlessly blending elements of progressive, psychedelic, and classic metal into a cohesive sonic experience.
Tracks like “Sultan’s Curse” and “Fallen Torches” demonstrated the band’s dynamic range, effortlessly transitioning between intricate vocal harmonies and thunderous instrumental passages. A moment of introspection arrived with “Pushing The Tides,” a song that offered a glimpse into the emotional depth of Mastodon’s songwriting. The unrelenting assault of “Mother Puncher,” “Circle of Cysquatch,” and “Crusher Destroyer” created a maelstrom of mosh pits that bordered on ecstatic chaos, embodying the raw power that Mastodon’s music possesses. As the night reached its climactic conclusion with “Blood and Thunder,” a cathartic explosion of sound that left the crowd exhilarated and breathless, it was evident that Mastodon’s performance was a testament to their status as modern metal legends.
The co-headlining tour of Gojira and Mastodon, supported by the fierce energy of Lorna Shore, was a symphony of sonic majesty that transcended the boundaries of metal. Each band carved its own path through the night, weaving together a tapestry of emotion, intensity, and musical virtuosity that will resonate with fans for years to come.
Set Lists:
Lorna Shore: Sun//Eater, Cursed to Die, Into The Earth, Pain Remains I: Dancing Like Flames, Pain Remains II: After All I’ve Done, I’ll Disappear, Pain Remains III: In a Sea of Fire
Gojira: Born for One Thing, Backbone, Stranded, Flying Whales, The Cell, The Art of Dying, Drum Solo, Grind, Another World, Silvera, Amazonia, The Chant, The Gift of Guilt
Mastodon: The Wolf Is Loose, Crystal Skull, Megalodon, Divinations, Andromeda, Sultan’s Curse, Fallen Torches, Pushing The Tides, More than I Could Chew, Aqua Dementia, Steambreather, Iron Tusk, March of the Fire Ants, Mother Puncher, Circle of Cysquatch, Crusher Destroyer, Blood and Thunder
Lorna Shore
Gojira
Mastodon
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