(Editor’s note: In a bid to get more U.S. festival coverage on the site, we’ve got Sean Matthews out and about taking photos and documenting his experience at various shows. This go around, he spent the past weekend at this year’s Inkcarceration. This is day one, complete with photo galleries.)
As the second day was kicking off and crowds were walking through the festival’s entrance for yet another day of music, it was ex-Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Jason Hook’s band Flat Black that greeted us. I’d be lying if I said their set wasn’t a perfect way to start the day, essentially picking up where day one left off.
Upon A Burning Body took to the main stage, with lead singer Danny Leal provoking the crowd, taunting them to mosh in a bid to get the energy started early on. Even though they only played eight songs during their 30-minute set, it seemed longer when in the moment.
Immediately following that display was American deathcore band The Acacia Strain. Lead vocalist Vincent Bennett seemed to be having the time of his life up there on stage as the crowd raged in front of him. When he wasn’t singing, he would have this huge grin on his face, so it really seemed like the dude was having at least as good a time as the crowd was. They were a bit heavier than I recall in my Warped Tour days, but the riffs went hard and that’s all you really need to get the crowd moving and bodies flowing over the rail.
Nearly escaping with my gear intact, I huffed it over to the smallest stage to check out Cleveland’s own Unsaid Fate. Having heard a song or two recently pop up in random playlists, but having never seen them live before, it was great to finally put a live show to the recorded tracks. Walking on stage, lead singer Jackie LaPonza stole the set. Sporting a Pabst Blue Ribbon ballcap hung low with hair flowing in the wind, she really sang her heart out. Throughout their set, the band never stayed in one place, which made my job as a photographer a little challenging, but it really helped get the crowd more engaged with the show.
Then came a band I was told not to miss — Ill Nino! A friend said their stage presence was amazing and they had three percussionists, so I knew I had to check this out. And man, they were a sight to behold. They have a nu metal sound with a Latin flare mixed in. As a six-piece group, there was always something going on onstage.
While walking around the media area, I was initially surprised when I saw Hernan “Eddie” Hermida roaming around. It took me a moment to remember that he was still the lead singer of All Shall Perish. Up until recently, I’d only seen him with his other band, Suicide Silence. They took to the stage and it was all business. Eddie wasted no time hyping the crowd, getting the pit opened up, and dropping right into the heavy growls and high-pitched screams he is know for.
Atlanta based Sevendust was given a long time slot as the day progressed on. Playing a hit setlist, lead singer Lajon Witherspoon took moments to drop out and just listen to the fans sing back to him. He danced around the stage, having a great time. As a band of 30 years, they still love what they do and it shows.
What turned out to be the most entertaining group of the day, Fit For A King, was all over the place. As lead singer Ryan Kirby roamed the stage and interacting with the fans, bassist Ryan O’Leary jumped all over the place, using every surface as a launching pad. Risers, drum set, or just the stage… you name it, he was yeeting himself off it. And when he wasn’t getting airborne, he was swinging his bass around his neck like a hula hoop. There was a moment at the end of a song where he just kept the bass going… 2… 3… 4… times around his neck. If you haven’t had the chance to catch them live, they will be worth every penny.
The main stage was set! A handwritten Hotel Kalifornia sign hung crookedly on a mixer, fake palms strewn upon the stage… it could all only mean one thing. Hollywood Undead was about to take the stage. Their 50-minute set was a party to say the least. Coming out with “California Dreaming”, instantly had the crowd in the palm of their hands. Members switched instruments between songs, making everyone not only a singer, but a backup musician as well. The band is full of talent and energy. The crowd lost their minds during the hit song “Riot” and didn’t stop until the last note of hit single “Undead”.
Following that performance on the main stage would be a hard thing for anyone to do, but the boys from Detroit, Michigan in I Prevail did it well. Taking everything up a notch, pyro throughout the hour long set, made the already scorching day hotter, but that didn’t stop them. Lead singers Eric Vanlerberghe, and Brian Burkheiser took turns talking to the crowd, even having to stop a few times to save injured people. With great crowd control, one would say on the count of three take a step back, and after three you could visibly see the entire section of crowd move.
Before playing hit single “Hurricane” Brian made a speech about mental health and the challenges people face, and that they don’t have to be alone. That was a perfect cue, for someone to drop down on one knee mid song to propose to their girlfriend. As if their set wasn’t full of enough surprises, Lzzy Hale from Halestorm walked out on stage to hit newest single “Can You See Me In The Dark”.
As I Lay Dying, lead by singer Tim Lambesis came out on stage like they were on a mission. Heavy hitting songs rang through the speakers, and total chaos ensued in the crowd behind me. They were the perfect level of energy playing that stage hyping the die-hard fans for Killswitch Engage.
Halestorm was direct support on the main stage for Godsmack this evening, and lead singer Lzzy Hale walked out singing acapella which caught the attention of the entire venue. With a short prelude, they went right into hit single “I Miss The Misery”. Their 12-song setlist included “Can You See Me In The Dark” again, this time Eric Vanlerberghe came out for the duet. Moments of “I Get Off” had Lzzy laying in a back bridge contorted position while still wailing out high notes and playing the guitar. She sang her heart out for their entire set and left it all on the stage.
Closing out the second stage tonight was Killswitch Engage, and they didn’t disappoint. Starting with mega-hit “My Curse” they set the tone relatively quickly, and the crowd matched the energy effectively. Over 14 songs, crowd surfers gave security a run for their money, and made taking photos essentially unbearable. Between the massive security guards, and the waterfall of surfing fans, the photo pit was more of a mosh pit than a safe space.
With hits like “In Due Time”, “My Last Serenade” and “This Fire” there couldn’t have been a better playlist from them tonight. Ending it on a huge hit both for them as well as the original artists “Holy Diver” rang out in the air as the lights dimmed on their performance.
As the evening came, and the sun set, the main stage lights went down, and “For Those About To Rock” rang out over the PA system. Coinciding with a video of Godsmack over the years, showing rare footage from shows so long ago, most attendees weren’t even born yet, all the way to present day. Walking on stage, lead singer Sully Erna took to the microphone and laid right into 2018’s “When Legends Rise”, followed directly by “Cryin’ Like a Bitch” the hits just kept coming. 14 songs spanning 7 different albums, and a massive drum solo featuring not only drummer Shannon Larkin, but also Sully Erna, was more than enough to fulfill this crowd’s needs and send them home happy after a glorious day two.