Escape The Fate, The Word Alive, The Gloom In The Corner @ The Gov, Adelaide 11/6/2026
The space between the band and fans merges like lava overflowing from a volcano, Crag Mabbitt, singer of Escape The Fate, looks like he’s been singing in the rain, he’s that soaked. His band have just stormed through The Gov with a tornado of songs befitting the third and final act of a compulsive viewing movie.
The opening act, the band setting the scene for what you’re about to watch, is Melbourne’s The Gloom In The Corner and are befitting an action packed blockbuster. Loud, rambunctious, energetic and enthralling viewing. Like a war zone exploding, there are so many things to take on board it’s a sensory overload. Hair waving, breakdowns, time changes and vocal dynamics all packed like a hand grenade with the pin pulled out.
Most movies, the second act clams down, unless it’s Predator of course, huge at the beginning, then powerful in the middle before the rollercoaster finale and The Word Alive take the second act like a bunch of commandos on the hunt in a Mexican jungle.
Almost immediately, the crowd are hand waving, crouching down, bouncing around all while drummer Devin Attard stands atop of his drum kit like the master overlord with his army. It looks grand. Eyes Above, Heartless and Life Cycles highlight a set full of bomb tracks that leaves no space to breathe, only scream, and their audience do just that, desperate for more.
The more is the final act of Escape The Fate. The ending befitting a Hollywood blockbuster with rock stars as the cast. Razor riffs, fist punching songs and anthemic choruses, it is an arena show in a club, as the band rip out to Déjà vu and Gorgeous Nightmare.
Stick twirling Robert Ortiz, looks unfazed, guitarist Matti Hoffman a Tasmanian Devil of activity and Mabbitt a maverick frontman threatening to go rouge as Ashley lights up the room, Broken Heart pulls on the heartstrings and Idle Potential grooves.
Paranoia stomps and reminds me that Motley Crue were once as good as these guys, before the rooms bounces through The Aftermath and into the rolling credits of a movie that the heroes not only survived but won. All that is left is to tease the sequel which promises to be equally as volcanic.
Live Review By Iain McCallum