Review By Jenn Cackett | Photographs By Nadine Swiger
The Mega Monsters Tour – featuring co-headlining acts Mastodon and Gojira, with the opening act Lorna Shore, proved to be a monumental night of metal music that left the crowd utterly enthralled.
Kicking off the evening was Lorna Shore, a New Jersey native band that is making waves with their dark, symphonic deathcore sound. Supporting their latest album release, “Pain Remains,” Lorna Shore unleashed a mesmerizing set that captivated the audience from the moment they started playing “Sun//Eater.” The blend of aggressive vocals, melodic undertones, and bone-crushing breakdowns kept the audience entranced, almost hypnotized, by their sonic assault. The culmination of their performance came with the hauntingly powerful “Pain Remains III – In A Sea of Fire,” as the crowd raised their illuminated phones in the air, creating a breathtaking sea of firefly-like lights.
As the night progressed, Gojira, hailing from France and armed with their latest release “Fortitude,” took the stage and ignited an inferno of energy. Opening with “Born For One Thing,” the band used pyro flames to set the stage ablaze, igniting the excitement of both newcomers and devoted Gojira fans. The use of fiery elements combined with intricate backdrop visuals designed to complement each song enhanced the overall sensory experience. Throughout their performance, the crowd remained in constant motion, a testament to Gojira’s ability to channel their music’s raw power into an electrifying live show. A standout moment was Mario Duplantier’s thunderous drum solo, followed by his playful interaction with the crowd, urging them to scream louder and louder. The set’s climax, marked by the collective voices joining in “The Chant,” created a sense of unity and purpose, as the audience and band merged into a single force of metal energy.
Closing out the night, Mastodon took the stage and showcased their legendary status and mastery of the metal genre. With their latest album, Hushed and Grim, as the driving force behind their performance, the Georgia-based band transported the audience through a dynamic journey of groovy, progressive, and psychedelic metal. From the moment the curtain fell and the first notes of “The Wolf Is Loose” resonated through the venue, it was clear that Mastodon’s presence was a force to be reckoned with. The setlist spanned their illustrious career, featuring tracks like “Andromeda,” “Sultan’s Curse,” and several selections from Hushed and Grim. The versatility of Mastodon’s sound, ranging from the bizarre to the profound, kept the crowd on their toes and fully engaged.
The pinnacle of their performance was the closing track, “Iron Tusk,” a nod to their 2006 album Leviathan, based on Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. The sonic onslaught and unbridled passion of Mastodon left an indelible mark, making sure the night ended on an unforgettable note. Even as the final notes faded, the energy of the show lingered in the air of Syracuse’s Oncenter War Memorial, a testament to the enduring impact of these mega metal monsters.
The Mega Monsters Tour continues its journey, with upcoming stops in Portland, ME and Boston, MA, then head to the Mid-West before returning to Toronto and Montreal, Canada. The tour will continue on into Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. The memories of this spectacular night will undoubtedly echo in the hearts and minds of all who were fortunate enough to experience the power and majesty of Mastodon, Gojira, and Lorna Shore.
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