[Gig Review] WAGE WAR (US) w/ special guests ORTHODOX (us) HEAVENSGATE @ FORUM, MELBOURNE (AU) 02. 08. 26.
Tonight’s epic Wage War show is part of the ‘It Calls Me By Name’ Australian tour, featuring special guests Orthodox and Heavensgate.
US metalcore warriors’ Wage War descended on Melbourne’s The Forum after being upgraded from 170 Russell, which was a good call as that space would have no doubt overflowed onto the streets.
To kick off the night, relative newcomers and local Melbournian metalcore rising stars Heavensgate showed that they are a force to be reckoned with, as highlighted by their powerful and alluring opening set tonight (see below for relevant artists' socials links to stay up to date with all three bands who ballistically bombarded the forum tonight, highlighting a more than formidable ability to entertain, enthrall and leave a lasting impression.
Tenacious Tennessee talent Orthodox quickly engaged this increasingly swelling audience with a gloriously heavy bombardment and chugging sonic barrage to begin their set.
Lead vocalist Adam Easterling enthused the crowd with a gravelly growl, “Melbourne, I came to see you, right fuckin’ here!”
The pit was already gaining traction, with the thought again in mind that the venue upgrade was now accommodating a plethora of rabid metalheads with a Sunday night hankering for rippin’ riffs, and a roaring ride.
Easterling and band only briefly paused to take advantage of the kinetic energy potential from such a sizeable crowd– “this entire room is a mosh pit, I need to see absolute fuckin’ chaos, GO!” And the standing floor crowd did not disappoint with at least three surfers flung up and over, while most others banged their heads in unison and frenetic fervour.
Easterling skipped and skulked his way to and fro across the stage, fully engaging with the audience via high- octane front man energy.
"I don't care where you are in this fuckin 'room, put your goddamn horns in the air!" Easterling insisted.
The intermission is suitably and delightfully filled with Metallica's ‘Wherever I May Roam’ along with Creed’s ‘Higher’.
Melbournite's came to gather and unite with Wage War against a common enemy– the violence of silence (too cringe?). With beers flowing from the adjacent taps at either side of the expansive floor, a little Sunday night inebriation added to the Flurry and the frenzy preceded by Orthodox.
Bodies jumped and hit the floor en masse, and perhaps those with foresight and responsibilities in the morning opted to line the aisles and the back of the room for a slightly more pacified experience. As with most gigs I floated like a black butterfly from left to right and the back, and in between brief chats to fellow punters I inhaled the atmosphere of this unusually dense end of week metal performance.
Although we don't have professional and polished images of this event, I made a point to highlight tonight's audience with respect to the stage during several pivotal moments.
The lights went down, and a cinematic-like tension and suspense engulfed the room as Wage War were about to take the stage.
Frontman Briton Bond bounded across the stage and stepped up to the plate, commanding attention like a battle-ready leader.
This show had Saturday night energy, with fans excitedly bustling and reveling in this positively unsettling seismic encounter, bodies moving to the blasting beats across a pleasantly extensive set.
These highly capable comrades exuded veteran energy and it was clear that fans revered and appreciated them with each song performed.
“Let’s have some fun, Melbourne, this one’s called Blur!”
Wage War-’Blur’
‘Karma’ was a delightfully intense barrage of zeal and passion, with a particular focus on Stephen Kluesener’s resonating drumming expertise.
Wage War- ‘Karma’
Perhaps the pinnacle of captivating metalcore still resonating and resounding in 2026.
With crowd surfers aplenty, Bond and band raged on with sonic warfare assaulting the senses on this Forum sized scale. The music may sound aggressive and negative, but the message is quite the contrary. I witnessed hordes of fans sway, writhe, head bang, surf and groove to the sound waves without any noticeable malicious intent aside from slicing the air with limbs and heads, clearly enjoying the moments.
Like many fans, I managed to raise my phone to snap and savour moments from most of my favourite tracks, including ‘Teeth’. A ferocious track that propelled this progressively frenetic event towards an extensive twenty song set.
Wage War- ‘Teeth’
Bond seized the opportunity to incite a swirling pit of more than willing fans into a frenzy.
Shortly after, a highly charged crowd chant along on the gloriously heavy banger ‘Low’ erupted and the energy was both electric and contagious for those of us on the perimeter.
Within a 30 second window, four crowd surfers were flung up, propelled, ejected and out of sight, clearly having an amazing experience.
This tour continues with two more Aussie shows at the Tivoli Fortitude Valley, QLD on Thurs Aug 6, then finishing up at Sydney’s Metro Theatre Fri Aug 7. Tickets for The Tivoli show are available here, while Sydney’s show appears to be at capacity.
LINKS:
wage waR:
ORTHODOX:
HEAVENSGATE BAND:
INNER-STRENGTH CHECK ONLINE:
For just $5AUD/month, as a Riff Nerd you’ll gain access to bonus exclusive podcast episodes, have a say in shaping future content, have opportunities to receive giveaways and prizes, gain access to Members-only articles and more!
Thanks to all who’ve helped support us to remain independent and ad-free, cover operational costs and continue supporting numerous creative industries, artists and their communities.
Peace, Love and Grindcore - Brady & The ISC Team.