[Gig Review] LORNA SHORE w/ WHITECHAPEL + THE ACACIA STRAIN @ John Cain Arena, 16.10.26.
Tonight’s epic three-part event was led by the ferocious and prominent New Jersey deathcore musicians of Lorna Shore who played an epic set that included the ‘Pain Remains’ trilogy (Pain Remains I, II, and III). Melbourne metal fans were bestowed with the honour of having Lorna Shore, Whitechapel and The Acacia Strain begin their eight-date Aus & NZ tour right here in Melbourne.
A seated ticket for a metal show, although not ideal, opened a panoramic view of the arena. Consequently, this perspective was unusually expansive and immersive. Comically, the last time I was this elevated for an arena show was for a Coldplay concert. The stark contrast in mood, lighting and overall vibe is obviously at the opposite end of the musical spectrum in many ways. From vibrant colour-filled ecstatic elation to the heaviness of tonight’s death metal genre. In each instance, audiences evidently received a satiating session over several entertaining hours.
The Acacia Strain opent the flood gates ahead of Whitechapel and Lorna Shore.
As I peered down and around at my peers, I noticed the standing floor space populating early on with what appeared to be capacity. Swathes of human heads facing the stage, anticipating our first onslaught of metal for the night.
Sections closer to the front would later seem to roll to and fro with the movement of the mosh. Having been in GA standing three weeks to the day at ISC’s coverage of Bush with Shinedown, this was a different perspective but also a moment to kick back with gratitude at being in my element, observing the event from a wider lens.
The Acacia Strain blitzed the arena with their opening set beginning with ‘Whoa! Shut It Down’ and followed it up with ten more metalcore delights, of which my favourite was the unnervingly titled yet enthralling ‘The Hills Have Eyes’. These Massachusetts metalcore mates have found a new fan amongst many who reveled in their captivating set.
Tennessee band Whitechapel spearheaded their main support slot with ‘Prisoner 666’, then chronologically converging on the guttural and sonically eviscerating ‘Hymns In Dissonance’. ‘A Visceral Retch’ ensued and incited a literal kind of kinetic ‘Bedlam’ followed by the transitory ‘Ex Infernis’. ‘Hate Cult Ritual’ preceded the first three tracks from their 2007 debut album– ‘Necrotizing (intro)’, ‘The Somatic Defilement’ and ‘Devirgination Studies’, and ending with ‘This Is Exile’. Of all the seasoned metal bands worth seeing live, Whitechapel are now ticked off the must- see list.
Whitechapel enthuse a Friday night Melbourne crowd prior to Lorna Shore.
Throughout the night, the atmosphere inside JCA was a charged and indubitably heavy blanket of metal that seemed to relentlessly pound the senses. If you appreciate heavily intricate musicianship, then this was certainly the place to be. Lorna Shore certainly knows how to bring the barrage, with their decimating sound waves being an effective catalyst in ensuring what at times looked like a steadily consistent wave of individuals surfing atop a formidable pit. In the stands surrounding, folks were relegated to toe-tapping and head nodding between sips and flashbacks to a regular ol’ rock gig triggered by the intermission music which featured Bon Jovi and Bonnie Tyler prior to the foreboding beginning of 'Oblivion’. With lights down and phone lights scattered across the arena, this moment was akin to a massive cinematic screening, except this was a live stage show. This established the tone for an evening of relentless death metal. Charismatic frontman Will Ramos’ commanding stage presence was complemented by a tight band cohesion and vertical flame projector pyrotechnics.
Lorna Shore’s debut Australian shows in 2025 were met with fervor from local metal enthusiasts, much like tonight’s performance. With a froth in hand, it became apparent that I could have easily enjoyed their Good Things Festival set last December had I factored in their gargantuan appeal.
Lorna Shore’s deathcore onslaught captured in still images.
Typically metal song titles like ‘War Machine’ (featuring vocalist Nick Chance) from their latest album I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me, ensured the metal machine raged on with ‘In Darkness’, ‘Of the Abyss’, ‘Into the Earth’, ‘Glenwood’ and ‘Prison of Flesh’. It seemed an intentional tactic to close out their thrilling set with passion and intensity as the flame projectors propelled their performance to the pinnacle with ‘To the Hellfire’. The house lighting array and dazzling display were highly effective spectacles on their own, easily highlighted in pictures by resident ISC photographer Sarah’s remarkable images of tonight’s colossal event.
LORNA SHORE
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2026
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
WHITECHAPEL (AUS ONLY)
THE ACACIA STRAIN
TOUR DATES:
SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER - AEC THEATRE, ADELAIDE (LIC AA) SELLING FAST
MONDAY 19 OCTOBER - METRO CITY, PERTH (18+) SOLD OUT
WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER - HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY (LIC AA) SELLING FAST
FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER - RIVERSTAGE, BRISBANE (18+)
MONDAY 26 OCTOBER - SHED6, WELLINGTON NEW ZEALAND (18+)** SELLING FAST
WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER - POWERSTATION, AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND (18+)** SOLD OUT
THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER - POWERSTATION, AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND (18+)**
**Whitechapel not appearing
Tickets on sale from destroyalllines.com
LINKS
LORNA SHORE:
WHITECHAPEL:
THE ACACIA STRAIN:
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Peace, Love and Grindcore - Brady & The ISC Team.