The Dark Horizon Tour 2023
It wasn’t your typical Sunday night at Buffalo RiverWorks. With The Dark Horizon Tour set to storm through the city, fans tried lining up at 8 am in hopes to clench a front-row spot against the barricade. With the lineup stacked with some major talent, it was no surprise that fans arrived hours before the door opened. Who could blame them? This sold-out show featured heavy hitters In This Moment, Motionless In White, Fit For a King and From Ashes to New. With the merch tables flooded and the floor already packed with fans eagerly awaiting the first band, you could feel the excitement in the air.
From Ashes to New wasted no time getting fans going. Formed in 2013, this band from Lancaster Pennsylvania always had one solid message to their music. To relate to the raw and true everyday struggles of life. The bands smooth blend of rap and rock tends to all kinds of music lovers around and gives a refreshing new sound to the scene. The clean rap vocals by Matt Brandyberry paired with the raw screams of Danny Case had the crowd going absolutely insane. Heavy hitting guitar cords matched with an aggressive chorus to each song brought each person in the venue alive. The constant energy of the band on the stage kept fans on the floor, encouraging crowd surfers to make their way to the front. With the start of each song came a new burst of raw, primal energy from the crowd. If you are a fan of bands such as Linkin Park, and I Prevail then this band is for you. Make sure to go check them out!
Fit For a King was up next and automatically a crowd favorite. This isn’t their first visit to Buffalo, NY and fans clearly were ready to welcome them back with open arms. Lead singer Ryan Kirby wasted no time igniting the crowd with his harsh vocals and hypnotizing screaming. With multiple jumps off the risers from bassist Ryan O’Leary and ear-splitting guitar riffs from Daniel Gailey, fans clung to the bands every song. It was almost impossible at one point to hear Kirby’s vocals over the crowd, who sang along to every word. The bands setlist contained a pleasing range of old and new songs which was absolutely incredible to hear.This band has a well established reputation in the metalcore scene and it’s easy to see why.
A clear crowd favorite was up next. All around the venue hand-made signs and Motionless in White (MIW) t-shirts were scattered throughout the venue. The anticipation could be felt throughout the venue as the stage was set-up and fans painted with black paint and true MIW makeup eagerly filled the floor and upper level of the venue. As the lights went out, fans erupted into an almost deafening cheer. When the band members finally stepped out on stage, the crowd wasted no time showing their love and dedication to the band. Chris Motionless, lead singer, went right into their first song “Sign of Life” taking the time to move to every side of the stage to interact with fans, the ferocity of each song glued them in place. With an increase In crowd surfers and moshing, security clearly had their work cut out for them. MIW’s intricate riffs and morbid appeal make them a fan favorite in their genre. The collision of metal and electronic sound is the perfect blend to this bands sound. Chris’s raspy vocals matched with the bands overall heavy, violent sound creates such a beautifully unique sound which has gained the band quite a following. Powering through favorites such as “Slaughterhouse” and ending with “Eternally Yours” had the crowd in a trance the entire time.
With the venue already amped up from Motionless in White, the crowd was getting restless for the main act. In This Moment Was set to perform next but not before creating their very own stage platform. Unfortunately, photographers were unable to be in the photo pit for this set, but we were able to grab a couple shots of this awesome setup. With a huge white sheet covering the stage, the crew went to work building the incredibly insane set. The theatrics of the set-up included a giant platform with skulls and a dark dream like environment. Once the curtain dropped, a gathering of women dressed in white sheet like dresses and matching blonde wigs also knows as the “blood girls” danced in a synchronizing motion, drawing the crowd’s attention to the stage like a moth to a flame. When Maria Bank finally appeared atop the high platform, wearing a captivating headpiece, the venue shook with life as Bank took the stage. Bank’s throaty, smooth vocals and flawless harmonies hypnotized fans. Her dominating presence and highly addictive sound proves she’s a force to reckon with. The show clearly showed In This Moment’s visually appealing cinematic talent and how well it matches with the bands overall eccentric sound. “The Purge”, “Blood”, and “Big Bad Wolf” made the cut as part of the setlist. Ending with the crowd chanting “Whore,” Bank’s appeared in a dunce hat labeled whore and had the crowd singing along to every lyric. At the end of the show huge red and white balloons filled the whole venue as confetti canons went off.
The night ended with fans grinning from ear to ear as they filed out of the packed venue. With everyone covered in confetti and carrying the red and white balloons through the doors, the show was one to remember. The Dark Horizon Tour runs through the middle of August so make sure you grab tickets before your venue sells out!