Beartooth are the band that drew me into Metal with In Between, and seeing them live was a full-circle moment I will not forget. Following a North American Tour that sold over 100,000 tickets and the news that In Between has been RIAA Certified Platinum with over one million song sales in the US, this European Tour was a mouth-watering prospect.
Beartooth – Polaris – Landmvrks
Alexander Palace, London – 26 October 2024
Words: Carol Giannattasio
Photography: Antonio Giannattasio
Beartooth
The show took place at Alexandra Palace, an incredible venue that is now my all-time favourite. Tonight was filled with a passionate crowd and charged emotions that made the experience unforgettable.
Right on time, Beartooth stormed the stage with The Surface, kicking off their set with explosive power. The instant they hit that first riff, the crowd flamed up. Caleb Shomo’s vocals were feral, and every song felt like a punch to the chest, with raw power pouring from the stage.
When they played Bad Listener, Caleb really turned things up. He went all out with his intense growls, aggressive screams and deep vocals. Just when we thought it could not get any crazier, he pulled out a Co2 cannon onstage, blasting fire as he screamed. The crowd went wild.
During Riptide, everyone was jumping and singing along. Caleb hyped us all up to let loose, and the crowd took it seriously. There were mosh pits all over, people were crowd-surfing, and the energy was insane. The lights and effects were spot-on, making it feel like one massive, electrifying party.
But everything turned to a chill moment when Beartooth covered Mr Brightside, The Killers cover. The entire place went off. It was an unexpected but epic moment. As soon as those iconic opening notes hit, everyone at Alexandra Palace erupted, and you could feel the excitement build as people recognized the song.
Beartooth kept the energy up, mixing in other bangers like The Lines, ATTN, and You Never Know, blending new and old songs perfectly. Caleb took a moment to give a heartfelt speech, his voice cracking with emotion and even bringing a few tears.
He spoke about how tough life can be, how the world sometimes feels like it is falling apart, but that we are all still connected through music. He shared how grateful he feels for everything life has brought him in recent years.
Right after, they jumped into I Was Alive, a song he dedicated to his grandfather. It was a powerful and emotional moment that took the show to another level.
After this moment of deep reflection, we reached the end of the night, which could only be closed out with In Between. With this last song, the energy in the venue rose to another level. People immediately started cheering, and during the chorus, the entire place became one giant, unified voice. Everyone sang along word for word.
It was a real peak of the evening, where you could feel that sense of release and unity in the room.
Polaris
Polaris was just the right choice for the night. This lineup did not disappoint anyone’s expectations. Opening with All In Vain, Polaris delivered an electrifying start that set the tone for their entire set.
This was my second time seeing them this year, but this time felt different. The energy was visible, and the crowd was wilder than ever. Polaris’s setlist was packed with their signature heavy riffs and powerful vocals, sparking instant mosh pits and crowd-surfing that showcased why they are beloved among Metalcore fans.
The night continued with intense performances of tracks like Inhumane, Dissipate, Masochist, and one of my personal favourites, Overflow. Jamie Hails, the lead singer, was a real surprise. I did not expect to meet him, but he took a few minutes to chat and even posed for a photo before diving back into the crowd to enjoy the Beartooth concert with everyone else. He is truly a class act.
Polaris’s performance was absolutely stunning, solidifying their presence in the Metal scene. Their lyrics hit hard, with strength and emotion. Once again, as they did the first time I saw them, they dedicated a song to their late bandmate Ryan Siew, who sadly passed away last year.
This was a heartfelt moment that added depth to the night.
The set, unfortunately, had to come to an end, but not before Florent from Landmvrks joined Polaris on stage for an incredible performance of Hypermania alongside Jamie.
They closed with The Remedy, leaving a lasting impression on Ally Pally. Once again, Polaris left their mark, handing the stage over to the much anticipated Beartooth.
Landmvrks
The last time I wrote about Landmvrks, I mentioned how I could not wait to see them again. Now, just five months later, here I am, ready to experience one of my favourite bands live once more. Seeing them perform takes listening to their music to a whole new level.
Creature blew my mind, just like Death and Blistering. Landmvrks delivered an electrifying performance that captivated the crowd from start to finish. Their mix of heavy riffs and catchy hooks filled the venue, creating an intense atmosphere that got everyone hyped.
Say No Word is definitely my favourite song from Landmvrks, and this time, they had Florent join Zelli from Paleface Swiss on stage. The song’s driving riffs set the tone, and when they harmonized, it was an intense yet melodic moment that really stood out.
However, the highlight of the set was Rainfall. The band’s stage presence was magnetic, with Florent engaging the crowd and encouraging everyone to jump and sing along. A standout moment came during the bridge when the music softened, and you could hear a pin drop as the crowd hung on every word.
Then, when the song kicked back into its heavier sections, the venue erupted with cheers and energy.
Sadly, all good things come to an end, and Landmvrks wrapped up their set with Self Made Black Hole, once again showing just how incredible they are and proving that these guys are absolutely phenomenal.
