LIVE FROM THE PIT: Of Mice & Men, GHØSTKID and Gore.

Sundays in December are usually reserved for staying cozy… or heading to gigs, if you are a metalcore fan in Glasgow. OF MICE & MEN have been on the road across the UK and Europe throughout most of autumn, in support of their latest album, Another Miracle, which was released midway through the run. Tonight’s show at The Garage, supported by American newcomers GORE. and Germany’s GHØSTKID, marks their final stop.

With much of the room stillt trickling in, GORE. crept onstage, before diving headfirst into latest single, Wrath. Bassist Devin Birchfield immediately introduced a playful energy, sporting a Scottish-weather-appropriate rabbit hat whose ears bounced in time with the beat. The light-heartedness helped buoy the band, particularly as frontwoman HAYLEY ROUGHTON radiated a palpable nervous energy. This was in stark contrast to her powerful voice that could tear the roof off. Relatively new to the scene, with releases only beginning in 2023, GORE. delivered an impactful set that resonated with the early arrivals.

The punchy pacing allowed for brief introductions between songs, offering insights into tracks such as Sepsis and Pray. Before launching into Orbting, ROUGHTON declared, “If you’ve ever experienced existential dread… This song’s for you.” They closed with Babylon, its bassline reverberating through every corner of the room. After a well-earned round of applause, the band humbling began disassembling their gear, ROUGHTON accidentally dropping the pink topper of her mic stand into the crowd, which created a wholesome moment of connection.

Draped in their iconic corpse paint, the ominous, hooded members of GHØSTKID slid onto the stage to a room buzzing with anticipation. Having got a headstart in developing a reputation due to being the solo project of former ELECTRIC CALLBOY co-frontman SEBASTIAN “SUSHI” BISELER, and with a few more years of experience, much of the crowd clearly knew what to expect. Launching straight into SUPERNØVA, they wasted no time in trying to whip the crowd into a controlled frenzy. Bassist STANISLAW CZYWIL quickly dashed into the crowd, with BISELER demanding a circle pit form around him.

Despite many attendees only just filtering in, the audience immediately obliged, creating a satisfying whirlpool of bodies encasing the booming bassline. As CZYWIL retreated back to the stage, the pit dissolved just as quickly, and the crowd shuffled forward for a better view. The set leaned on the hard-hitters from their self-titled debut, such as CRØWN, YØU & I, and DRTY, with BISELER repeatedly reminding the room that it was their final night on tour. “We’re going to miss them so fucking bad, because they are the nicest people on Earth,” he reflected.

Before tearing into FSU, from HOLLYWOOD SUICIDE, he declared, “This next track is called ‘Fuck Shit Up’... and that’s what you guys need to do”. Despite the bands relentless energy and repeated calls for carnage, it perhaps came too early in the night, with much of the movement radiating from one overzealous crowd member. By the time they closed with HEAVY RAIN though, the room was sweaty enough for the title to feel fitting, and a dramatic wall of death gladly formed at BISELER’s request. After a raucous thank you, GHØSTKID disappeared backstage, leaving the crowd primed for the headliners.

The audience clutched their pints and roared as OF MICE & MEN came closer to coming onstage. Break Stuff by LIMP BIZKIT blared across the speakers, prompting drunken sing-alongs, before the lights dropped and a sweeping string arrangement took its place. At the back of the stage, a screen flickered to life with graphics of roaring flames; an amusing contrast to the dramatic build-up. 

The band emerged one by one before tearing into Another Miracle, with the crowd seemingly startled by the choice of opener. A few songs in, during Would You Still Be There, the atmosphere noticeably shifted. A moshpit erupted and barely relented for the remainder of the night, while frontman AARON PAULEY threw his long locks in time with the pounding rhythm. Though there were long pauses between songs, audibly filled with atmospheric synths as the band caught their breath, they only briefly disrupted the momentum. The setlist spanned their catalogue, from the crushing Obselete to emotionally charged Troubled Water, before closing the set with O.G Loko.

Returning to the stage, drummer VALENTINO ARTEAGA delivered an impressive solo, hair blowing majesticly in the fan as he grinned through the crowds inevitable “Here we fucking go,” chant. Before launching into their final tracks, PAULEY turned to praise the screen behind them which now displayed a flaming Thomas the Tank Engine alongside the phrase “I ♥ Scotland”. This small moment of playfulness was met with a round of laughter, reaffirming the bands connection with their fans. 

This energy carried straight into the punishing Bones Exposed, before the night closed with the song that defined them, Second & Sebring, that was complete with a wall of death that much of the room eagerly joined. As the final show on this tour came to a close, OF MICE & MEN calmly soaked up the intensity they had fostered, visibly proud. Following the intense sets of GORE. and GHØSTKID early on, the night, and the tour, ended on a powerful high, marking the close of another chapter for the metalcore veterans.

Words: Chloe Sodeau

Photos: Libby Percival