Halestorm & I Prevail Review with Photos 8-10-24

   The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Texas was the place to be Saturday August 10th when metalcore giants I Prevail and hard rock veterans Halestorm took the stage, supported by high-energy openers Hollywood Undead and Fit For A King. The lineup promised an intense and diverse night of rock and metal, and it delivered on every front.

    Fit For A King:

    Kicking off the evening with raw intensity, Texas's own Fit For A King wasted no time setting the tone for the night. Their aggressive riffs and passionate performance immediately engaged the audience. Tracks from their latest album, The Hell We Create, like “Reaper” and “God of Fire,” resonated with the crowd, showcasing their refined blend of metalcore elements. The band's stage presence was commanding, with lead vocalist Ryan Kirby's guttural screams and melodic hooks drawing enthusiastic reactions from both die-hard fans and newcomers. For the song "Reaper" Brian encouraged the audience in the pit to form the smallest circle mosh pit that they could. They ended their set with "God of Fire" having the audience jumping up and down along with the band. Other band members include; Bobby Lynge: guitars and backing vocals, Ryan "Tuck" O'Leary: bass and vocals, Daniel Gailey: guitar and backing vocals and Trey Celaya on drums.

    Hollywood Undead:

    Next up, Hollywood Undead brought their unique fusion of rap-rock and alternative metal to the forefront. With a setlist that spanned their extensive discography, they managed to keep the energy high with anthems like “Undead” and “Ruin My Life.” The crowd was particularly responsive to their charismatic stage antics and interactive approach, proving that Hollywood Undead’s blend of rap and rock continues to be a crowd-pleaser. A 10 year old named Caleb was the chosen one to join them on stage for introducing the song "Comin' In Hot". Current members include; Jorel "J-Dog" Decker: vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards, Dylan "Funny Man" Alverez: Vocals, George "Johnny 3 Tears" Ragen: Vocals and Bass, Jordon "Charlie Scene" Terrell: vocals and guitars, Danny Murillo: vocals, keyboards,guitar and bass, Matt "The Cat" Oloffson on drums and percussion.

    Halestorm:

    As the evening progressed, Halestorm took the stage, and the energy level skyrocketed. Lzzy Hale, with her powerhouse vocals and commanding stage presence, led the band through a blistering set that included fan favorites like “Love Bites (So Do I)” "Freak Like Me" and “I Miss the Misery.” The raw emotion in Hale’s performance was palpable, as she effortlessly transitioned between high-octane rock anthems and more introspective ballads. The band’s chemistry was undeniable, with a tight rhythm section and impressive solos that showcased their musicianship. There was a special moment when Arejay announced that he is engaged and he asked his Texan finance Emily to come out to say hi to the crowd. The current lineup has been their standard since 2003 and is; Lzzy Hale: lead vocals, guitar and keyboards, her brother Arejay Hale: drums, percussion and backing vocals, Joe Hottinger: lead guitar, and backing vocals and Josh Smith: bass, Keyboards and backing vocals.

    I Prevail:

    Headliners I Prevail capped off the night with an unforgettable performance that solidified their status as metalcore titans. Opening with a thunderous rendition of “There's Fear in Letting Go,” they immediately captivated the audience with their blend of heavy riffs, melodic choruses, and high-energy stage presence. While the sound mix started off a little bit on the distorted side it did level out after a few songs. The crowd erupted during tracks like "Forget What You Think What You Know" and “Feel Something,” with the band’s dynamic range shining through. During "FWYTYK" a large circle pit broke out on the sloped lawn which had the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion personnel a little on edge. Vocalists Brian Burkheiser and Eric Vanlerberghe alternated seamlessly between melodic hooks and aggressive growls, delivering a set that was both powerful and emotionally charged. Current members are: Brian Burkheiser: clean vocals, Eric Vanlerberge: unclean & clean vocals, Steve Menoian: Lead guitar and bass, Dylan Bowman: rthythm guitar and backing vocals and Gabe Helguera: drums.

    Throughout their performance, the visual elements flashing lights, and dramatic full screen LED backdrop, enhanced the overall experience, making each song feel like an event unto itself. The band’s connection with the audience was bonded, creating an atmosphere of unity and euphoria that lingered long after the final notes.

    Conclusion:

    The I Prevail and Halestorm concert was a masterclass in modern rock and metal, featuring a perfect blend of energy, talent, and showmanship. From Fit For A King’s intense metalcore to Hollywood Undead’s genre-blending style, and Halestorm’s commanding rock performance, the night was a testament to the diverse and dynamic nature of contemporary rock music. I Prevail’s headline set capped off the evening with a thrilling display of metalcore prowess, leaving fans exhilarated and eagerly anticipating the next chapter in their live music journey. This concert wasn’t just a showcase of talent, it was a celebration of the power of live music and the unifying force it brings to fans from all walks of life.

I Prevail Setlist:
00:00
There's Fear in Letting Go
Body Bag
Self-Destruction
Bad Things
Blank Space (Taylor Swift cover)
can u see me in the dark? (with Lzzy Hale)
Deep End
Visceral
Breaking Down
FWYTYK
Judgement Day
Choke
Hurricane (Dedicated to Halestorm)
Bow Down
Gasoline

Halestorm Setlist:
I Miss the Misery (with Raise your Horn's a cappela intro)
Love Bites (So Do I)
I Get Off (with "Crazy On You" interlude)
Freak Like Me
Mr. Hyde
Familiar Taste of Poison
Takes My Life
Drum Solo/Circle
       (Arjray's Texan finance Emily brought out the large drumsticks)
Rock Show
I Am the Fire
Here's to Us
The Steeple

Hollywood Undead Setlist:
California Dreaming
CHAOS
Riot
Everywhere I Go
Renegade
Comin' in Hot
Another Way Out / Du hast
Ruin My Life
Hear Me Now
Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond cover)
Bullet
Undead

Fit For A King Setlist:
Keeping Secrets
Breaking the Mirror
Falling Through the Sky (Dedicated to Hollywood Undead)
End (The Other Side)
Reaper (Dedicated to Halestorm)
Technium
When Everything Means Nothing (Dedicated to I Previal)
God of Fire (Dedicated to the fans)