WAGE WAR didn’t open the night—they set it off like a fuse.
From the first guttural scream to the last breakdown, the Florida metalcore crew came out swinging and never let up.
Exploding through tracks like “Low” and “Manic” with absolute precision, they turned what could’ve been a warm-up set into a full-throttle assault. The crowd responded in kind—pits opening, fists flying, and heads banging like it was already midnight.
For a band with something to prove to a crowd this size, Wage War made their mark. No hesitation, no filler—just blistering intent, and a hell of a lot of it.
Then the lights shifted, the screams rose—and THREE DAYS GRACE roared to life.
Opening with “Animal I Have Become,” they tapped directly into the crowd’s bloodstream.
It was pure catharsis, the kind that only a band with this kind of history—and this kind of bite—can deliver.
Their set was a tour through both scars and survival:
“So Called Life” brought the chaos.
“Pain” brought the scream-along sadness.
“Never Too Late” brought out the lighters and cell phones for one of the most honest emotional moments of the night.
And “Riot”? That was a bomb going off in the heart of the arena.
Matt Walst and Adam Gontier both gave commanding, confident vocal performances—equal parts snarling aggression and emotional grit—while Barry Stock’s guitar tone remained absolutely filthy in the best way.
They didn’t just perform; they bared teeth.
Three Days Grace are clearly still in their prime, and if this show was any indication, they’re only sharpening their edge.
And then came the main event—VOLBEAT, kicking off Night 1 of their tour in support of the brand-new album “God of Angels Trust.”
And they did not come quietly.
Rogers Arena was treated to a masterclass in heavy groove, vintage swagger, and unapologetic power.
Volbeat walked in like a band ready for war—and they played like it too.
They launched the set with “Seal the Deal,” a fiery opening shot that set the arena ablaze.
From there it was hit after hit, blending fan-favorite anthems with thunderous cuts from the new album.
“Lola Montez” had the crowd dancing and singing.
“Shotgun Blues” hit like a freight train.
“Demonic Depression” and “Devils Are Awake” delivered a dark, stomping energy that perfectly showcased the fresh heaviness of the new record.
Tracks like “In the Barn of the Goat giving Birth to Satan’s Spawn in a Dying World of Doom” and “By a Monster’s Hand” brought an eerie, almost cinematic weight to the set, while “Sad Man’s Tongue” and “Fallen” pulled back just enough to let the groove shine.
The closing stretch—“The Devil Rages On,” the hauntingly beautiful “For Evigt,” and the always-explosive “Still Counting”—hit like a trilogy of victory laps.
No notes. No misses. Just a band completely in command of their sound and their audience.
A Quick Word on the Venue:
Shooting at Rogers Arena is always an honor.
The hospitality from the staff and crew was top-notch, the atmosphere electric, and the energy in the building undeniable.
As a photographer, this kind of access, professionalism, and vibe makes all the difference.
Huge thank you to everyone behind the scenes who made this night run smoothly—it was one hell of a way to kick off a tour, and I’d be thrilled to step back through that tunnel again for future shows.
FINAL VERDICT:
WAGE WAR: Young blood, no fear.
THREE DAYS GRACE: Legacy with teeth.
VOLBEAT: Genre-defying, tour-defining, and on absolute fire.
This wasn’t just a concert—it was a night where the devils raged on, the riffs hit hard, and every single band left blood sweat & tears on that stage.
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