The crowd poured into The Intersection in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, as part of The Deathless Tour Part Two pumped and ready for an incredible night of killer music. I asked several as they waited in line for doors to open who they were there to see, and the response from everyone I asked was an emphatic “From Ashes to New”. If you haven't heard of them, this band reminds me of a modern-day Linkin Park with the rap and screaming vocals perfectly balancing each other out with relatable lyrics and heavy drum beats. Although they weren’t headlining this tour, it was clear that they were going to be a fan favorite for the evening as they are in every show they perform. This is a band that is making waves in the music world pulling in new fans at every festival and show big or small with their high energy, incredibly relatable lyrics heavy tracks, and the experience they create. The band is always met with screams when they are on stage from start to finish the crowd is wild.

As From Ashes to New got closer to taking the stage, you could see the crowd get thicker, move closer to the barricade, and leave no room to move. The excitement was starting to rise and the fans were hyper-fixated on the stage as they lay in wait. The set began with the lights out and a vintage black and white short film on the LED screens to each side of the stage and behind the drums. Screams already began and they only got louder as Matt Brandyberry (vocals/rap) and Danny Case (vocals), Lance Dowdle (bass/guitar), Maty Madiro (drums), and Jimmy Bennett (guitar) came on stage in the black body paint, detailed face makeup, tactical vests and signature looks. The lighting was still dark, the blood-red backdrop hung and everyone knew that they were about to bring the house down with their rap-rock/nu-metal set which always gets everyone on the floor ready to go crazy.

“Nightmare” started and the venue full of people went off the rails- the headbanging in the crowd kicked off immediately and the band moved across the stage with incredible energy. There is no shortage of movement at a From Ashes to New show as it is always a competition between fans and the band on who can make the venue collapse beneath everyone. Matt (vocals/rap) and Danny (vocals) both hype the crowd with their intermittent vocals to rap transitions every single song and arms in the air, which is met with screams and cheers from the fans in front of the stage. As a fan who never wants to miss a FATN set when they come to Michigan, I was moving along with the music as I continued to catch what I could with my camera- you can't help but bang your head to these guys because they truly know how to go hard and make everything happen just by doing what they do. “Dead to Me”, “Heartache”, “Monster in Me”, “Hate Me Too”, and “My Name” were some of the hits that not only got the fans pumped but also the band. The guys of From Ashes to New knows how to have fun up there and create a mood that a smaller venue such as The Intersection is an arena show. One day, fingers crossed this band gets there because they have what it takes to make you feel amazing even when the lights come on and the show is over.

One of my favorite parts of being in the photo pit and crowd at a From Ashes to New set is the fact that the guys always interact with the fans. This is a band that is thankful for their journey, and although it hasn't been an easy ride for them and there have been transitions along the way, they know that their loyal fanbase is growing and trying to make it bigger and better for them. Between Matt’s inspirational and relatable motivational talks in between songs that can make anyone struggling or dealing with mental health situations feel less alone, getting the crowd to wave their arms through the air on-beat during “Barely Breathing” (which is still their leading radio hit), the goofing off with bandmates on stage and fans in the crowd while they perform and their friendly competition on who can scream the loudest split down the middle, they make it such an incredibly immersive experience to just be in the crowd at their shows. I leave feeling the natural high for days after they perform, always looking for that next high when they come back to Michigan.

Their heavy set continued with my personal favorite “Panic” which has gotten me through some tough situations such as a recent trans-Atlantic trip where I had the worst panic attacks during takeoff. That song hits me every time and I feel that cathartic release when they sing it live- “Through it All” and “Nothing” rounded out the amazing show as the fog rose to the ceiling and the lights turned on, the crowd cheered. This band is an absolute must-see live. With their look of black clothing and body paint, detailed face makeup (sometimes Lance brings along his collection of intricate face masks), and the fast-paced high energy of their shows, you will regret it if you don't get tickets when they are in town. I have never and will never have a bad time at a From Ashes to New show. Get out there and see them as they continue to tour with New Year's Day, If Not for Me and Set It Off until November 2nd.