The formerly Christian heavy rock band P.O.D. (short for Payable On Death) performed a show on an off-tour night at The Tarheel in Jacksonville, North Carolina, opening up the stage to local metal bands for a night of face-melting rock.
Opening the night was Ethyrium, a 6-man metal band from Jacksonville, NC. The band of misfits surprised everyone with their heavy rock and screaming lyrics. Fans immediately started fist-pumping and moshing, and they perfectly primed the crowd for the night. This was their first official show. If it sets a precedent for their band, it’s one that rocks hard and they’re a band to check out.
Check out their page for more info on their band and to hear their music at www.facebook.com/Ethyrium
Next was Wilmington-based Weight of Whispers. This 4-man new band hit the stage hard. Announcing that front man Will Baker was celebrating his birthday that night, fans were eager to rock with the band. Just before their tribute to the men and women in the military, they played their newest single, self-titled “Weight of Whispers.” Go to their Facebook page for band updates and to hear their new single at www.facebook.com/WeightOfWhispers
Death of Uriah, from Jacksonville, NC, was next on stage. Their music is influenced by Rage Against the Machine, Lamb of God, Wage of War among others, and the melding of them all gives them a great sound. They had a great stage presence and interacted with fans throughout their set. Towards the end of their set, they paid tribute to those suffering from drug addiction and suicide in a plea to be kind and help one another, followed by more shredding. They can be found at www.facebook.com/DeathOfUriah
Hailing from Arizona, DED has been touring with P.O.D. following the release of their debut album Mis-An-Thrope in July of 2017. They offer an aggressive sound that meshes metal and alternative. Their stage presence and crowd interaction made watching them just as entertaining as listening to their music. Nearing the end of their set, they called for the stage lights to be off, and for the crowd to use their phones to light the stage. It gave an intimate feel. With their signature “dead-eye” look, it elevated the theatrics in a creepy performance. Their music and tour dates can be found on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/DEDOfficial
Finally, P.O.D. hit the stage with their iconic “Boom.” Their set was mixed with new songs and their most popular tracks from their album Satellite, ending with “Youth of a Nation,” where the lead singer Sonny Sandoval sang with the audience, instead of just to them. Before the close of their set, he addressed the audience about the decision to perform in the small venue in between tour dates, saying that they don’t take time off. Their Facebook biography expresses the passion their music is to the band, and his sentiments showed the level of passion put into their music along with the energy displayed in their set.
Fans had a night of great music that lasted hours as Five bands performed. The Tarheel offers an intimate setting, and the bands took advantage of that and fully interacted with their fans all night. Apart from the great music, the fan interaction made a big impression on the show, creating a memorable evening for the couple hundred in attendance that those catching P.O.D. on their tour won’t be able to experience.
Keep up with P.O.D. and their dates at www.facebook.com/POD
