Deathcore legends Oceano have been a cornerstone of the scene for over two decades now. With their most recent release of their album, Living Chaos, they launched an extensive US tour. Joining them in their wake is the Australian powerhouse known as To The Grave, America’s very own VCTMS, and making their U.S. debut, Half Me.
The show tonight, hosted by Ark Phonic, took place in Fresno’s very own Full Circle Brewery, a hidden gem in the central valley. When you think of big tours in California, cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco most likely come to mind. But Fresno, nestled in the heart of the state and surrounded by farmland as far as the eye can see, has a unique charm of its own. Fresno has a strong local music scene that supports its bands, so in between sets for touring acts, locals showcased their music on the outside stage. For local concertgoers, driving over two hours one way to catch a show is almost a rite of passage. So, whenever bigger tours stop in Fresno, the town shows up and shows out. There’s something special about this place — especially when it comes to death core and heavy music in general. It might be the valley heat fueling the intensity, but the central valley love for riffs and breakdowns is unmatched.
After the band outside finished their set, everyone rushed inside to see the first touring act of the night — Half Me. This band was a personal favorite for me, as I have been watching this band blow up for the past 6 months. If you’re a fan of Thrown or Boundaries, do yourself a favor and throw Half Me in that playlist. Hailing all the way from Germany, with their EP Opium set to release days after the show, Half Me had a lot to prove on this tour. Their setlist was a blend of powerful tracks from their debut album SOMA, mixed with a slew of newer singles and a sneak peek at an unreleased track. The energy in the room was electrifying, with Half Me doing a phenomenal job connecting with their die hard fans and gaining plenty of new ones in the process.
Next up on the mainstage was VCTMS, who have firmly made a name for themselves and refuse to slow down. Fresh off the release of their new song “snuff.tape” (featuring Marc Zelli of Paleface Swiss), VCTMS destroyed the stage for the next 30 minutes. This was my first time seeing them live, so it was a sight to see. Fresno meant business for VCTMS, and the entire band fed off that energy. The crowd was decked out in VCTMS merch, making it absolutely clear they were the crowd favorite.
But the night didn’t stop there — and the crowd buzzed with anticipation for the next performance (probably buzzed for other reasons too, as it is a brewery after all) — To The Grave. There’s something in the water in Australia, but the absolute pure quality of metal music coming out of that country is unparalleled. Their most recent release, Everyone’s A Murderer, is a testament to just that. When To The Grave reached the stage, they came out swinging, with vocalist Dane Evans wearing a slaughtered pigs head setting up the tone for the set. Something special about this venue is that when a band is HEAVY, the venue keeps all the lights on, almost as a warning of what’s to come. The room immediately split down the middle creating a war zone for the next 30 minutes. As To The Grave ended their set, the venue exploded in cheers for one more song.
With almost 20 years of experience, and a solidified position as one of the most prominent bands in the deathcore genre, Oceano’s performance was nothing short of a musical fury. The venue was bathed in a sea of red lights, perfectly complimenting their intense set. The setlist featured tracks from their latest album, Living Chaos, with standouts such as “Into the Flames” and “Mass Produced,” but the hits just kept coming. Oceano’s powerful stage presence, combined with the energy they brought to the crowd, even enticed some passersby standing near the outside exit. Frontman Adam Warren personally invited them inside, and the crowd cheered them on.
As Oceano wrapped their set and the venue filled with the roar of a wall to wall crowd, it was a powerful reminder why live music (especially metal) is such a vital force. If tonight’s performance and their latest release are any indication, Oceano will only continue to grow stronger, leaving a lasting impact on the deathcore scene for many more years to come. If you missed this show make sure to catch Oceano and any of the supporting acts next, for this lineup there are still a few more dates remaining on this tour!
GALLERY: OCEANO, To The Grave, VCTMS & Half Me
at Full Circle Brewery in Fresno, CA on September 24, 2024.
