BOUNDARIES/ORTHODOX LIVE AT THE WEBSTER UNDERGROUND
Boundaries‘ final stop on “The Death is A Little More Tour” was a sold-out show at The Webster Underground in Hartford, CT. Known for showcasing emerging bands, this intimate venue was the perfect setting for the five-piece metal band. Performing in their hometown added an extra layer of excitement and significance to the event.
Arriving at 5 PM, I found devoted fans already lining up. Doors opened at 6 PM, and the eager crowd poured in. The first band to hit the stage was No Cure from Birmingham, Alabama, but their reception made it seem like they were locals. As soon as the first riff hit, the mosh pit erupted, and the energy in the room transformed from casual chatter to bodies flying on and off the stage.
No Cure blends death metal, black metal, and heavy hardcore straight edge into a powerful and unique sound. Vocalist Blaythe Steuer, sporting bedazzled sunglasses and a green parka, commanded the stage from the moment he growled the first lines of “The Final Truth.” The room heated up quickly, prompting Steuer to shed layers as the crowd’s energy intensified. A standout moment was when Adam from Orthodox joined them on stage for “No Preservation,” amplifying the already electric atmosphere.
Next up was Kaonashi from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, featuring Peter Rono (Vocals), Pao (Drums), Ryne Jones (Bass), and Alex Hallquist (Guitar/Vocals). What makes a Kaonashi show special is the high level of interaction between the band and the audience. Throughout the night, Rono frequently held the mic out to the crowd, inviting fans to sing along. Their set list included songs like “We Got One,” “I Hate the Sound of Car Keys,” and “Sarah & The Scraped Knee.”
Kaonashi’s sound is a dynamic mix of post-hardcore, metalcore, and emo. Their latest EP, A Second Chance At Forever: The Brilliant Lies From Casey Diamond, set to release on July 26th, 2024, marks a significant evolution from their previous work. Known for their concept albums, Kaonashi’s detailed narratives and character development immerse listeners deeply into their music, showcasing their brilliance as storytellers.
The next band up was Orthodox from Nashville, Tennessee, followed with their intense energy, raw emotion, and genre-defying sound. Formed in 2017, the band has steadily built a dedicated following. Adam Easterling (Vocals), Austin Evans (Guitar), Shiloh Krebs (Bass), and Mike White (Drums) took the stage and immediately asked the crowd to move in closer.
Expressing that this show was for them, they encouraged the audience to embrace everything about the experience. Orthodox’s most recent release, Learning to Dissolve, dropped in 2022, showcasing influences from nu-metal giants like Korn and System of a Down, with catchy, crunchy riffs and metalcore/hardcore intensity. Highlights of their set included “Panic,” with Blaythe Steuer making a guest appearance, and “Cave In,” where the opening guitar riff transitions from catchy high- pitched wails to heavy growls.
The final show of a tour is always special, a culmination of shared experiences and camaraderie built over weeks on the road. This sense of family was palpable throughout the Boundaries tour. Members of the other bands frequently joined each other on stage and in the pit, showing mutual respect and admiration. The pride was evident as they celebrated nearly every show on the tour selling out, and they praised Boundaries for their hard work, kindness, and dedication. The hometown crowd wholeheartedly agreed, making the final show a truly memorable event.,
The show had been building in intensity all night, but it was clear things were about to reach a fever pitch as Boundaries opened with “Easily Erased” from their 2024 album Death is a Little More. The crowd’s energy surged, with people leaping onto the stage to dive off in every direction. The mosh pit expanded to fill almost the entire room, and even a man dressed as a banana joined the fray.
The band, consisting of Matt McDougal (Vocals), Corey Emond (Guitar), Nathan Calcagno (Bass), Tim Sullivan (Drums), and Cody Delvecchio (Guitar), frequently spoke about the familiar faces in the crowd, underscoring the sense of community and family in the room.
Their set list spanned their discography, from Hartford County Misery classics like “Dog Teeth” and the encore “Reign of Pain” to new tracks like “Turning Hate into Rage,” “A Pale Light Lingers,” and “Darkness Share.” Boundaries have consistently elevated their music with each release, and their latest album is a testament to their growth. The album features tighter melodies, epic breakdowns, and moments of calm amidst the chaos. Just when you think you’ve reached peak aggression, Boundaries pulls you into an ethereal melody before ramping back up to full intensity.
As the show reached its climax, Boundaries gave it everything they had, leaving it all on the stage. Moshers walked away with war wounds, the ceiling dripped with water thrown onto the crowd, and wet confetti from earlier in the night stuck to the floor. The atmosphere was charged with intensity, a shared catharsis that left both band and audience exhilarated and exhausted.
Boundaries‘ talent and relentless commitment to touring ensure a bright future. They will be hitting the road in July with Beartooth before heading overseas in the fall, continuing to bring their explosive energy to fans around the world.
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