Wage War Rocks Texas
On a warm October evening, Wage War took the stage, delivering an unforgettable performance at their packed-out show. The night was a rollercoaster of energy, anticipation, and adrenaline, with the crowd fully engaged from the first note. Accompanied by three dynamic opening acts—Fame on Fire, Thrown, and Erra—the night became an epic celebration of heavy music, blistering vocals, and explosive stage presence. Here's how the night unfolded.
Fame on Fire
As the first opener, Fame on Fire set the tone for the night. Despite being early in the lineup, they played to a nearly full venue, a rarity for many first-openers. The crowd's energy was already palpable as red and white lights bathed the stage, perfectly matching the band’s bold sound. Fame on Fire brought relentless energy, with the entire band seemingly feeding off the excitement in the general admission section. The audience, eager for what was to come, responded enthusiastically to every command from the stage.
From the very first song, it was clear that Fame on Fire knew how to work a crowd. Whether it was urging the audience to throw their hands up or take part in singalongs, they created a participatory atmosphere that made even first-time listeners feel part of the show. A highlight of their set came at the end when the band gathered for a group photo with the crowd—a memorable moment that captured the shared euphoria. They packed 6 or 7 songs into their set, but every second was filled with enthusiasm. And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more surreal, a man in a duck costume appeared in the pit, dancing and somehow adding to the chaos in the best possible way.
Thrown
By the time Thrown hit the stage as the second opener, the venue was fully packed. As their drummer made a suspenseful entrance, the anticipation in the room spiked. Thrown immediately turned up the intensity, launching into their aggressive, guitar-heavy set that sent shockwaves through the crowd. The band’s music leaned toward heavier, scream-filled tracks, which seemed to electrify the audience. The lights, primarily red and blue, created a pulsing, almost ominous backdrop to their performance.
Thrown’s frontman commanded the stage with boundless energy, jumping around and egging the crowd on, which led to an uptick in crowd-surfing and mosh pit activity. The entire room felt alive, and the band’s tight musicianship ensured that the energy never dropped. The guitar solos were as piercing as the screams, making the entire performance a high-octane display of metalcore mastery.
Erra
As Erra took the stage, the crowd was already primed for Wage War, but that didn’t stop them from delivering a standout set that could have easily passed for a headliner. At one point, their seamless blending of melodic elements with screaming vocals made me briefly wonder if Wage War had taken the stage early—Erra’s set was that polished. With predominantly red lights and a multicolored vocal range, they brought an emotional depth to their music that contrasted the sheer aggression of the previous bands.
The crowd’s energy peaked during Erra’s set, with more and more people diving into the pit and crowd-surfing. At one point, I almost got hit by the same duck that had made its earlier cameo, now somehow crowd-surfing its way across the floor. Erra’s command of the room was impressive; they managed to capture the audience's attention with longer, more intricate songs, keeping the energy high without overwhelming the senses. Their encouragement of crowd-surfing only added to the electric atmosphere, setting the perfect stage for Wage War.
Wage War
After a thrilling build-up from the openers, the moment everyone was waiting for finally arrived. The anticipation in the room was almost tangible as the lights dimmed, and a countdown flashed across the screens behind the stage. When the clock hit zero, the room exploded with a confetti drop, signaling the start of Wage War’s set—and the pit erupted immediately.
From the first growl of vocalist Briton Bond, it was clear Wage War came to dominate. Their mix of low growling vocals, aggressive instrumentals, and anthemic choruses had the crowd in the palm of their hand from start to finish. The band’s stage presence was undeniable, but it was drummer Stephen Kluesener who truly stole the show. His relentless drumming drove the performance forward, making it impossible to look away.
One of the standout moments of the night came when Wage War slowed things down with a more emotional song. The entire venue seemed to be holding its breath as the audience sang along, creating a rare moment of unity in a sea of moshing chaos. The band’s visuals were equally impressive, with multiple TV screens behind them flashing different images, enhancing the storytelling aspect of their performance.
The set was a well-balanced blend of old hits and new material, ensuring that every fan, whether a seasoned follower or a first-timer, felt satisfied. As the show drew to a close, the crowd was left buzzing with energy, confetti still hanging in the air, and a sense of having been part of something truly special.