Last night marked the end of the Mirrors Edge Tour hosted by Australian metalcore legends Northlane. They were supported by Australian counterparts Thornhill and Windwaker, alongside Texas’ very own Invent Animate. With such a tenured lineup recognized in this scene, the night was a master class of metalcore. I caught the very tail end of this tour — the last night which sold out, in fact — at Ace of Spades in Sacramento, California.
Opening the night was Windwaker. Their set was a high-energy blend of rap rock influences and metalcore riffs, showcasing songs from their earlier EPs and their latest album release HYPERVIOLENCE. Vocalist Liam Guinane commanded the stage with his vast vocal range, seamlessly transitioning from melodic verses to intense, powerful screams. During this tour, they celebrated the release of their new energetic and electric album HYPERVIOLENCE, and truly lived up to its name. The crowd was treated to a surprise when Northlane’s own Marcus joined them to play keys and vocals for a few songs, adding an extra layer of excitement to their performance.
Thornhill was up next, and vocalist Jacob Charlton delivered an impressive performance, showcasing his ability to hit extremely high notes while also delivering low, guttural screams. The band’s unique blend of melodic and heavy elements kept the audience on their feet. Despite not taking the more common heavy metalcore route, their set was still heavy and electrifying. Their set still included some heavier songs from their album, THE DARK POOL, while showcasing their newer jams from their more recent EP release, HEROINE. Thornhill has been touring heavily — it showed in their tight, energetic performance (noting their vinyl of live songs). Their stage presence was magnetic, with every member giving it their all and creating an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance. When they began to play “Where We Go When We Die,” the crowd surfers went wild.
Following them was the USA’s very own Invent Animate. I happened to catch Invent on their Heavener headliner tour a few months ago (and a few select other tours since then). With how precise and clean this band is, and how hard they have been grinding on tour, it’s hard to believe they have intentions to slow down. From the moment Invent played their first note, a wave of crowd surfers covered the entire venue from the front to the back. The energy in the room was infectious as the band delivered a flawless set. Their set included some never-before-played songs from their album HEAVENER, such as “Purity Weeps” alongside their newer release included in their album reissue, “Sleepless Deathbed.” The crowd responded with just as much aggression and energy, singing along and moshing to every word as a sea of orange and blues covered the venue in an ethereal blanket of lighting.
Next up was the reason this night was even possible. Northlane has been a staple in metalcore for over a decade now. This tour, in particular, celebrated the release of their newer EP, DANTE. Fans were treated to a buffet of absolute hits spanning their entire discography. While older fans might have noticed the absence of “Quantum Flux,” its replacement with an insane remix of “Disposition/Jinn” truly showcased how well-crafted Northlane’s discography has grown over the years. During the performance of “Afterimage,” the crowd was treated to a hilarious moment involving the fellas from Windwaker and Thornhill coming out on stage in nothing but towels, clearly looking for the showers. The crowd went wild as Jacob from Thornhill, atop Brody from Invent Animate’s shoulders, finished the song. Northlane’s entire performance was an experience, with every piece of lighting in clear sync with the songs and their meanings. Northlane clearly put a lot of thought and intention to their performance and were match with a sold out show.
This night was a perfect conclusion to the Mirrors Edge Tour, leaving fans with unforgettable memories and a reminder of why Northlane remains a force in metalcore. They ended the night with an encore of “Citizen” from their album MESMER once again reminding you of the insane amount of hits they have. I genuinely believe they could have continued the show for another hour (and sort of wish they did!) While this was the last date, I highly encourage everyone to check out all of these acts on any future tour… though this line up was a treat.
NORTHLANE, INVENT ANIMATE, THORNHILL, WINDWAKER – JULY 27, 2024 – ACE OF SPADES (SACREMENTO, CA)
