LIVE FROM THE PIT: From Ashes To New, Comastatic and Paradise Fell
- Mary Horner
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
FROM ASHES TO NEW were no strangers to leading crowds. Having formed back in 2013, and touring extensively across the States, the Pennsylvanian nu-metal rap quartet were ready to make their mark as they embarked on their first ever headline European tour. With expectations high, and the London crowd ravenous for a good show, would the band from across the pond sink or swim in waters new?
If starting as you mean to go on was the task for the night, nu-metal London based band PARADISE FELL understood the assignment. Bursting onto stage, their presence electrified the room. For a band that only released their first single in 2023, they owned the stage as if they had been around for far, far longer.
Matty Bankhust’s raw, clear vocals cut through the room in No Lies, reminiscent of fellow metal heavyweight BRING ME THE HORIZON. When the house lights were temporarily raised so they could look at the crowd, the room was packed.
Their set packed a punch. With tight guitar riffs, and beats that demanded a mosh pit be opened up for (and guitarist Harry Acreman shredding in the pit for the final song), PARADISE FELL proved they can energise a crowd. If PARADISE FELL aren’t already on your radar, this is your sign that they should be.
Keeping the energy high, the loud kicks of the drum and the erratic red and blue flashing lights let us know that alt-rock duo COMASTATIC had arrived. Back4blood, the opening track from their set, veered in a slightly different direction from the sound of the first act. Starting with a slower tempo and building up, the steady electric guitar riffs of Jules Luongo filled the room, earning nods of approval from the spectators. We were in for a treat as vocalist Mattia Di Paolo introduced us to American Nightmare, released only a day prior. A standout from their set, Di Paolo’s vocals were bright, controlled and enunciated, with a slight hint of nostalgia to early ALL TIME LOW’s Alex Gaskarth.
COMASTATIC were just as committed to their sound as they were to the audience. Stopping the show completely, calling for security and organising the audience when a concertgoer was taken ill was a reminder that at the core of live music is a strong ethos of care and respect for one another. Ensuring that the fan in question was okay, the duo jumped back into their set. Slowing down the tempo for their song Halo before opening up the mosh pit to shred heavily for Self Sabotage showed off their diverse range. There’s no doubt that COMASTATIC is only just getting started.
With the support acts sparking life into the room, would the headliners be able to push the crowd even further?
The room flooded with a red glow as a strong, rough guitar riff set off the main event. Swifty followed by the thud of drums, clear and controlled vocals from FROM ASHES TO NEW’s lead singer Danny Case introduced New Disease. The energy in the room was ignited, and it never went out.
No sooner had the set begun, the floor was cleared once again for the ever growing moshpits of the night. It was like a team sport, watching rapper and vocalist Matt Brandyberry and Case balance the vocals between them so effortlessly. The rapid, fluid lines from Brandyberry blended perfectly with Case’s range of clean vocals and contrasting growls. As a nu-metal and rap metal group, the breadth of sound, both from the vocalists and the electro-rock mix of the music, gave the band a unique edge.
As flashing spotlights bounced across the room, the band launched into Nightmare. This is where they truly came alive. The crashing of the drums drove the crowd into a frenzy - heads thrashing to the addictive rhythm. Here is where the guitar really shone, the magnetic riff overlaying the drum beat and adding another dimension to the track.
The momentary technical difficulties after Scars That I’m Hiding worked in the favour of one fan, who took the opportunity to ask to sing Hate Me Too with the band. It was a resounding yes as the crowd roared in support of FROM ASHES TO NEW’s temporary sixth member. As the lights flashed between purple and green, the stage was teeming with momentum. It was a truly beautiful moment, with Brandyberry taking the time to remind onlookers to not fear being judged.
Kicking it way back to My Name, the tempo was slowed as Brandyberry’s steady bars filled the room. Released almost a decade ago, the song’s theme of pursuing dreams and overcoming the odds was particularly poignant, as the band celebrated the release of their fifth studio album, Reflections, earlier that day.
The passion and support for FROM ASHES TO NEW runs deep. From a special shoutout to their agent and friends in the crowd to watching a sound engineer air drum the beat in perfect time was a testament to the extent to which people truly believe in their music.
FROM ASHES TO NEW radiated the room with a fresh energy. Masters of their craft, their genre blending was electric. With this tour being their first time headlining in Europe/UK, there’s no doubt that there will be masses of metalheads and rap fanatics alike counting down the days for their return.
Words: Mary Horner
Photos: Roxy Moloney
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