Few legacy metalcore bands are as consistently good as California’s legendary Of Mice & Men. The beloved quartet have just wrapped up their five-date Australian tour with Japan’s Crystal Lake, and we were there at The Triffid in Brisbane on Sunday night to catch the big sendoff. It was a tight set full of new hits and old favourites for O.G. Lokos and fresh faces alike.
First up was Perth metalcore four-piece Patient Sixty-Seven to kick things off. A mosh pit had formed by the end of their second song, with a man in a Mario costume leading the charge, so it’s safe to say that they well and truly warmed up the crowd. Catchy, clean hooks offered a welcome dynamic between the heavy grooves and big breakdowns, with a healthy dose of “blegh” for good measure. The frontman and bassist shared vocal duties with equal skill, and a tasty rap verse from the guitarist kept the room on its toes. These guys have a promising future if they continue to deliver on stages across the border of their backyard.
The highly anticipated Tokyo metalcore five-piece Crystal Lake were next, but not before their prodigious drummer completed his signature soundcheck, which is always more like a three-minute solo in double time. Dark electronics ushered in the band with their brand new vocalist, who launched into the first song with impressive gutturals, given his slight build. Taking after the opener, a circle pit began in the second song without any instruction from the frontman, and the crowd maintained that energy for the entire set. “Watch Me Burn” and “Lost in Forever” were highlights, but they saved the best for last with the glitchy screams of “Apollo”, which saw the frontman crowdsurfing for much of the finale.
It’s no secret that these guys are one of the best live heavy bands in the world right now, and it seems like this next era will see them at their prime.
Following in the footsteps of Crystal Lake is no easy feat, but if anybody can, it’s Of Mice & Men – and boy, did they deliver. An eerie orchestral intro led into the title track of their latest album, Another Miracle, which sounded just as good live as you might hope. Every fan’s dream setlist ensued, with big sing-alongs “Feels Like Forever” and “Would You Still Be There” coming in quick succession to keep the crowd moving. Frontman Aaron Pauley switched effortlessly between angelic cleans and fierce growls with complete control. Rhythmic chugs punctuated the intricate riffs and blast beats of tracks like “Obsolete”, while glassy synths added a rich texture to newer hits like “Flowers”.
The room went dark so that fans could light it up with their phones for “Another You” – arguably one of the band’s greatest anthems – before going up a gear for “Back to Me”, the sole representative of one of their greatest albums and an interesting choice at that. An epic wall of death collided for the notable breakdown in “O.G. Loko”, leaving shoes and stretchers scattered across the floor in the aftermath. After a phony farewell, the band returned for an exceptional encore of “Bones Exposed” (complete with extended drum intro!) and “Second & Sebring”. Even after all this time, the Orange County heavyweights have still got it and then some.
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FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Reviewer attended 10.05.26
Photo credit: Dylan Oxley
