A glorious spring evening in Bristol played host to a trio of US-based metalcore and post-hardcore bands as Catch Your Breath were joined at legendary venue The Fleece by Until I Wake and Of Virtue.
The Fleece is one of Bristol's iconic venues, with only a capacity of 450, no barrier, and a bunch of supporting columns at the front of the stage; it's small, it's intimate, and for those lucky enough to snap up a ticket, the night promises to be gloriously chaotic.
First up to get the crowd warmed up were the Michigan-based metalcore outfit Of Virtue with a set that was heavily weighted to 2023's Omen, kicking off with the explosive titular track from that album.
Mid-set, guitarist Damon Tate announces that 2025 marks his eighteenth year of sobriety as he introduces "Sober".
"Cannibals" sees the lead singer, Tyler Ennis, make a trip out into the crowd to join the centre of the pit.
A brisk thirty minutes from Of Virtue emerging onto the stage, and we were on to their final song "Cut Me Open", and what a song to finish on. Tyler, now safely back on stage himself, gave the instruction, "as long as you all go back the same way," encouraging the audience to take full advantage of the lack of barrier at the venue to partake in some good old-fashioned stage diving.
Fog machine set to 11, and with the stage washed with red, the post-hardcore quartet from Buffalo, New York, Until I Wake, were the filling to this evening's metalcore sandwich. Kicking their part of the show off with "Catacombs", the opening track from their most recent release, 2024's Renovate.
The set was a healthy mix of tracks from the new album alongside those of 2022's Inside My Head and 2021's self-titled EP.
Vocalist Cody Jamison informed the crowd, "My voice is tired, if you've heard of us before, I need your help on this one", with the title track off of the new album "Renovate".
"Circle pits are very much encouraged, just beware of the pillars," was stated during "Inside My Head."
Finishing off with fan favourite, "Self Medicated," I'm not quite sure how they managed to do it, but Until I Wake's set managed to be both softer and heavier than the band on before them, "we can't tell you what we want you to do during this next breakdown"..... followed by one of the most guttural bleegghh's I have had the privilege of witnessing in person.
Preceded by the THX intro sound and a voice over declaring that "for maximum enjoyment, moshing is advised", the main event, from Austin, Texas, Catch Your Breath, emerged to the delight of the crowd and slammed straight into "Ghost Inside The Shell," from 2024's Shame On Me (Deluxe Edition).
The set so far was full of energy, and then things slowed down slightly with "21 Gun Salute."
Lead singer Josh Mowery paused to get personal for a moment, and shared that when they were in the studio recording the album, guitarist Teddy's (Herrera) grandmother passed away. “She was like a mother to him and to all of us in the band,” he continued, “She was the band's biggest fan but never got the chance to see us play, so if you know the words, I ask you to please sing along." The crowd were in full voice and filled the venue with the lights from their phones for "Good In Goodbye"...and Josh was sure to tell them, "you guys are fucking beautiful out there."
"Now that we've slowed things down... Where my savages at?" The biggest roar erupted from the crowd as the band slammed their way into the titular track of the tour, "Savages." At least 50% of the crowd proceeded to whip out their phones again to record this particular track.
Another moment of getting personal, as Josh introduced the next song ”Cycles.” "I had a parent who didn't give a shit about me growing up. Anyone else in the same situation, this one goes out to you, and just know that you are not alone. This is another heavy one which means pit, you have one job, spin that shit into a circle." And to Bristol's credit, the biggest pit of the night ensues.
The main set finished with "Shame On Me," which received another big cheer, with lights on cell phones once again illuminating the venue. And with Josh doing what all good front men do, he got the crowd engaged and built up to an anthemic arm-waving crescendo for the final song.
But, as we should all know by now (the handful of people I saw heading for the door, it must have been their first ever gig), it's not the end until we get "one more song, one more song, one more song." The band returned for one last track, a song dedicated to anyone suffering from addiction, "Y.S.K.W."
