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Ice Nine Kills in Indianapolis, IN

11-7-2023

Ice Nine Kills (INK) puts on, once again, a killer performance while on the Kiss of Death Tour. The Massachusetts “horror-core” band have just ended their month long tour with In This Moment, supported by Avatar and New Year’s Day on December 2nd.

The audience was electric when the first few notes of “Hip To Be Scared” started playing and the band hit the stage. Stage actor Michael Meaney contributed to this beginning energy with his role as Paul Allen from hit film “American Psycho”. The unity felt within the crowd when everyone shouted “HEY PAUL!” right before the breakdown was unmatched.

The setlist consisted of a healthy mix of new and old songs that catered to both the new and older fans. They started with songs off of “Welcome To Horrorwood” (2021) and “The Silver Scream” (2018), but added in a song from the 2014 album “The Predator Becomes The Prey”, as per fan request through the Psycho’s Only app.

The set consisted of many visuals that referenced horror movies, most notably the performance of the song “The Shower Scene”. This act visualizes the 1960 film “Psycho”, in which Amanda Sahr plays the role of Marion Crane, and INK’s frontman Spencer Charnas plays his own version of Norman Bates. The song is another tune in which crowd participation is incredible. Hearing everyone shout the chorus together during one of the music breaks is such a powering experience to hear as a fan.

Throughout my years of supporting INK, I have been faced with nothing but community in regards to interacting with other fans. Everyone seems to come together and share their common interests in heavy metal, horror, and performance art.

At this show, I was with a good friend of mine, Miko Puno. He is a fellow photographer based in Indianapolis, and was happy to come along with me to the show, despite not listening to metal.

“From a person who does not listen to metal, I enjoyed it significantly, and quite frankly, I’d go on to say I would do it again.” He says to me when asked about his thoughts on the show, “I was told Ice Nine Kills would be the highlight of the night, and they were correct. If I were to only talk about the ‘sights’ of Ice Nine, it was a sight to behold. Numerous horror movie references, as well as evident passion for their music and their role; it was clear to me that they loved their music, and their fans sure did too.”

My personal favorite song to see performed that night was the newest released song “Meat & Greet”. This song was released on October 13th of this year, and was the conclusion of the Horrorwood Saga as of now. The song consisted of many references to the film “Silence of the Lambs”, and the live performance of the song didn’t disappoint.

Lane Nobriga and FRANCO, two stage actors for INK, did an incredible job in bringing the song to life and creating intriguing and exciting visualities playing opposing roles as Hannibal Lecter and an officer.

Mayhem - Old Foresters Paristown Hall, Louisville KY

10/21/23

Mayhem's live performance was an incredible experience, showcasing the apex of musical artistry and stagecraft. From the very moment they entered the stage, a charge coursed through the venue, electrifying the audience.

Mayhem's signature fusion of black metal with theatrical elements distinguished their performance. The band's members, adorned in distinctive makeup and stage attire, curated a visual art that seamlessly complemented their intense musical delivery.

In terms of musicianship, Mayhem displayed remarkable precision and power in their performance. Their iconic compositions, such as "Freezing Moon" and "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas," were executed flawlessly, prompting the crowd to engage in collective headbanging and moshing.

What made this performance truly exceptional was its capacity to unify a diverse audience. People of varying ages and backgrounds were drawn into a shared experience, transcending the conventional boundaries of a live concert. This ability to create a profound sense of camaraderie is an attribute rarely encountered in the realm of live music.

Cannibal Corpse in Louisville, KY

10/21/23

I recently had the opportunity to photograph a Cannibal Corpse show, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment they hit the stage, the energy in the venue was electric. The band's fast and loud performance perfectly emulated the crowd’s liveliness. The raw intensity of their music, combined with the charismatic stage presence of the band members, created an atmosphere of controlled chaos that had the entire crowd headbanging and moshing.

Cannibal Corpse's setlist was a great combinatorial of their classic tracks and new album. The way they delivered each song with precision and power was a testament to their status as legends of death metal. The lighting and stage effects added to the overall ambiance, enhancing the visual aspect of the show, as seen in these photographs.

Other than the showmanship, what I adored at the show was the fans. Despite the aggressive nature of the music, there was a sense of unity and shared enthusiasm among everyone in the audience. Metalheads of all ages came together to celebrate this iconic band. I saw children no more than ten years old head-banging in the crowd.

In summary, Cannibal Corpse put on a performance that was nothing like I’ve seen before. If you're a fan of heavy music and intense live shows, seeing Cannibal Corpse live is an experience you won't want to miss.

He is an artist based in Indianapolis, IN and has just released a single with artist IHateTuesday titled “Til Itz Rip”. His music is very lively and his energy transferred over to the crowd, making the set really hype and exciting.

Being an up-and-coming artist, I am super excited to see what other musical opportunities he has in store!