Words & Photos by Keeyahtay Lewis
It’s been 20 years since Chiodos released Alls Well That Ends Well, a record that redefined a generation of fans. Over the last 2 decades, echos of that album have been heard across the post-hardcore landscape. On Sunday night, Chiodos returned to NJ to celebrate that album.
The show opened up with Big Ass Truck- a rowdy, heavy band from San Diego. I have never seen them before, but it was clear that there were many fans of the band in audience. Their set was short, but super fun, filled with heavy riffs and ridiculous lyrics. I mean that in the best way.
Next up was Emmure, a band who always hit the stage with crushing aggression. Front man Frankie Palmeri stalks the stage like a man possessed. The stage was physically dark- full of shadows and smoke. At times you could barely see anyone playing, but the music was relentless. Even if you couldn’t always see them, you could feel them. Like a bomb that was meant to level anyone caught in the wake.
Hawthorne Heights played next, and even though they have some heavier songs, it definitely felt like the room was able to catch it’s breath for a second. I have photographed them a couple times before this, and it’s always a treat getting to see them play. Front man JT Woodrufs’ vocals always feel so familiar as soon as you hear them. He spoke about growing up with divorced parents and how age hasn’t mellowed the band at all. “We just got more pissed off!” And of course, the first chord of “Ohio Is For Lovers” set the whole room off in a frenzy.
Next up was the band everyone was there to see: Chiodos. Before they came out on stage, a lone robed figure walked slowly across. Swinging a smoky thurible while “Interlude” played across the speakers. And then the band took the stage and it all began.
“Alls Well That Ends Well” has always felt like a contradiction: part opera, part chaotic heaviness, and all of that was on display here. The past 20 years haven’t mellowed Craig Owens at all- his vocals can switch between wails to angelic in an instant. This felt like his show, for sure, but the band backed him up wonderfully. The chemistry from the stage to the crowd was easy to see and feel.
Of course, “Baby, You Wouldn’t Last a Minute On The Creek” was a highlight. As soon as it started every person in the room joined their voices with Owens- it was magical. 20 years after that song took over every AIM away message, it still feels powerful and fresh.
Over the years Chiodos as a band has had many ups and downs, but this doesn’t feel like an anniversary tour just for the sake of re-living our old memories. The band still feels needed. Every lyric was shouted back and security had their work cut out for them catching all the crowd surfers. This didn’t feel like a show celebrating an album 2 decades old, this felt like the energy of a band that is still needed in 2025. I loved being in the room and feeling that first hand.
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TheWaster.com | New Jersey
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