Concert Experience Quakes the Ground
Thunderous, double-time drumming that shakes the floor beneath my feet like a ship caught in a storm at sea; deep bass that resonates in my chest like an extra heartbeat; guitar solos that ricochet off the walls around me; and guttural vocals that depict the intensity of the human emotional spectrum: Those are just a few things that come to mind when I reminisce on the metal concerts I’ve been to.
Deathcore is one of those sub-genres in rock music that’s certainly an acquired taste, and over the years I’ve grown to love it more than ever. Maybe it’s because there’s a lot to be angry about in this world, or maybe it’s just nice to have an outlet for emotions that can feel too big to carry, sometimes. Either way, I find that I always feel rejuvenated and fully alive in the present moment when I’m at a metal concert.
Signs of the Swarm perform at the Roseland Theater
I started attending metal concerts when I was 13 years old. I’d go on to attend dozens more over the next decade-and-half of my life. It never gets old! When I moved to Portland six years ago, part of me was worried that I wouldn’t be able to find an active metal scene, and I was elated to be proved wrong. Metal music is alive in the city of bridges, and there seem to be a few key venues that are hotspots for it.
The first metal concert I was able to attend was held at the Roseland Theater, and I saw three more there after that. There was one venue that caught my eye, right across Burnside Street from the Roseland in downtown Portland: Dante’s. Intrigued, I kept the name in the back of my mind for those nights I would like to stay up late and scroll through Ticketmaster. Dante’s always flashed by, but never a band or artist I was familiar with – until last month.
I happened upon the Australian band To The Grave one night while I was doomscrolling through TikTok. Their sound was just my vibe: heavy, slow breakdowns and noisy, raucous choruses and bridges. I added a few of their songs to my favorite playlist and they became a regular part of my daily listening.
Lo and behold, a month after my discovery, I found out they were set to play at Dante’s on Nov. 13! My adoration for their sound, coupled with my undying curiosity about this local venue, had me clicking “purchase tickets” without further question.
The days passed with much anticipation and finally, the night arrived. Doors opened at 6 p.m. and the show began at 6:15 pm. Unfortunately, I missed out on the first act, Hate Offering, but made it just in time to see To The Grave.
It was amazing being able to be so close to the artists on the stage at Dante’s. I quickly fell in love with the venue. The lack of a barrier around the stage provides an intimate experience between the artist(s) and the audience. The dark, gothic aesthetic and décor felt like home to me. I can’t think of a better place to see a metal show, honestly.
I enjoyed the headlining act, Signs of the Swarm, just as much as To The Grave. The energy was amazing throughout the night, and I look forward to attending more concerts at this incredibly unique venue in the future!
To the Grave opened the show.
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