We Came As Romans – Gig Review & Photo Gallery 31st August @ Liberty Hall, Sydney NSW
We Came As Romans
Liberty Hall, Sydney NSW
Thursday 31st of August, 2023
Supports: Invent Animate, Harroway
Rounding off the incredible month of live music and releases that was August, We Came As Romans graced Sydney shores for the first time in eight years, delivering a performance that poured out all of their very missed energy! Along for the ride were the ever awe-inspiring Invent Animate and local heroes Harroway! As patrons poured in – some even dressed as gladiators – it was clear we were in for a spectacular night of live music.
Opening the night were Sydney locals, Harroway. Trudging onto the stage, they presented themselves with confidence and power, assuring themselves and the room of the position they held on stage. With many a fan in the room, it didn’t take long for the band to conjure the warmth of the crowd and get people excited for the night ahead. With a mix of blaring heaviness and selective moments of vulnerability, Harroway showed an immense duality in their live performance that is only emulated in their instrumentals. Jarring, unexpected but perfectly disjointed, their music is an eclectic and inspired take on the usual metalcore basics, making their set a delightful opening!
Next to take the stage were Invent Animate, introduced to Australia for the very first time on this tour. To many, the four piece band has been the answer to this year's album of the year with the release of Heavener- a melancholic and expressive look into the band through an incredible piece of work. Considering all these factors, it was certain their arrival was always going to be anticipated, but as they walked on stage, it was clear just how many people filled the room for them. Donned in their signature creams, the room erupted and gathered into a flurry of screams and eagerness. Truly, the night was a celebration of Heavener, performing seven songs from the eleven track feat, and exploring the many elements of this perfected album in a live setting. From the highs to the guttural screams to the rumbling bass to the chest-moving drums, the band's performance was nothing short of exceptional.
The way in which Invent Animate carried themselves was nothing short of mesmerizing, leaving many in the crowd in awe. Watching people, like the guy next to me, with their mouth agape, or others screaming viscerally to their lyrics, it was clear this was the common consensus around the room. Charming off the tracks too, they fostered such a loving environment that saw their excitement to be here radiate off the stage. Closing with ‘Immolation of Night’, there was a powerful roar from everyone in the room… and then a louder roar from the entire population of the room for “one more song”! I have truly never seen such a response to one of the opening acts of a tour in my life, but it was more than warranted!
As anticipation grew for the headliners to take the stage for the first time in eight years, the pre-show playlist accommodated to the wide demographic of young to old in the form of what can only be described as an emo night-esque collection of tunes. Limp Bizkit, The Killers, and System Of A Down got the crowd’s vocals warmed up and bodies moving, clearly indicating the inescapable energy and electric vibes already built from the two previous acts. As this playlist suddenly shifted to a hard rap track, and the stage became encased in a fluorescent slideshow projected behind the drums, it was time for We Came As Romans’ official return to Sydney soil.
Charging out of the gates with ‘Darkbloom’, it was clear the band needed no time to establish what was set to be an immersive night of intensity, energy, and of course, a lot of fun. From these opening moments, there was a certain aura surrounding the band. One of assertion and respect, knowing both their rightful place on the stage, but capturing an essence of thankfulness to the people that filled up the space. Made tangible in the most endearing of ways, the band invited a dedicated fan on stage to present them with a guitar, a truly heartwarming moment for everyone in the room, and evidently one that will stick with that fan for quite some time. This feeling carried throughout the entire night as We Came As Romans consistently utilised the crowd. Whether it be through screaming lyrics, or asking for more and more movement, both the band and the fan base shared a very dedicated love for one another. Situated up nice and close to the barricade, it was heartwarming to see people from all walks of life carry their soul through their movement and outward to the band that perform before them. Faces of both pure bliss and despair shuffled through these crowds, emulating just how touching and inspiring some of their songs have come to be. This was particularly noticeable in songs like ‘Lost In The Moment’, dedicated to late singer Kyle Pavone, inspiring not a sombre remembrance, but a gracious celebration of legacy and impact.
What has certainly built within We Came As Romans’ hiatus from Australia and touring experience elsewhere is their electric stage presence, or in this case, room presence. From Andy Glass dangling his bass over the balcony, to Dave Stevens launching himself into the crowd, the set became so much more than a stage show, but an immersive experience that saw the room and the band become one.
With a setlist spanning over their long career and many releases, emotions and energy pulsated in waves of nostalgia and celebration. From the heavy to the heartfelt, the set was a culmination of the band's long spanning identity and captivating live performance.
Together, the three bands created a night many had been longing for, and created an opportunity for some incredible releases to be given their time in the spotlight. Powerful, emotive, and at times, pretty wild, Harroway, Invent Animate, and We Came As Romans showed Liberty Hall just how much their speakers, floor and balcony could handle. Let’s hope the wait to see these bands won’t be as long next time!
Gig Review by Georgia Haskings. Insta: @ghaskins2002
Photo Gallery by Renae Egan. Follow Renae on Facebook and Instagram.
Please credit Wall of Sound and Renae Egan if you repost.
Harroway
Invent Animate
We Came As Romans
