There was no better way to kick off the spooky season than with a show that has a headliner who literally has vampires in the name. That’s right, i’m talking about The Awakening Tour, featuring Vampires Everywhere with Assuming We Survive, The Bunny The Bear, Fate DeStroyed and featured local artist, Mighty Vices. The lineup was truly fully packed for the night, and not a moment was worth missing.

            To kick off the show, the tour welcomed a local band with open arms, and in this case, we’re talking about Mighty Vices. A band with members from Ohio, New York, and Indiana, the band surely had their work cut out for them getting ready for this show. Forming back in 2020, the band has surely had their work cut out for them, and within the short span of a year has already released a handful of singles, including “Lost Kids (Looking For An Exit)”, “All The Rage”, and their most recent release which was performed as a sneak peek at the show, “Dossier”, which features Mason Musso of Metro Station and Social Order. The band is definitely making their debut into the punk rock scene memorable, and I for one cannot wait to see what they bring to the table into the future, but for now let’s move onto the next band in the lineup, Fate DeStroyed.

            The Los Angeles metal band Fate DeStroyed is most definitely Destroying the status quo of the Metal music genre of this generation. Fronted and founded by Franccesca De Struct in 2018, the band is certainly reaching new heights with every stride, from landing a spot on the Blue Ridge Rock Festival earlier on in 2021, to just releasing their latest EP Two Toned Hearts, which includes their latest single “Death Signs” featuring Jason Alessi. When taking the stage, De Struct made it a point to state that being from LA, the band was not used to the cold that Youngstown Ohio had to offer, but their set most definitely didn’t keep the audience cold for long, keeping them alive and moving for the follow up band, The Bunny The Bear.

            The Bunny The Bear is one of those bands who have fans asking the question, “whatever happened to those guys?” Well, I’m here to tell you that they are very much still here and kicking. Despite their set getting cut short, the duo formed by Matthew Tybor (The Bunny) most definitely brought their very best to the show. With their latest album Afterglow releasing in 2020, the band had some of their newer material to play, including fan favorites like “Visions” and “At the Top”, along with their well known cover of “Everytime We Touch” (originally performed by Cascada) and so many more. Next up on the docket, Assuming We Survive.

            Assuming We Survive approaches the stage, and with them the audience gathers up close and personal. Playing excerpts from some of their more recent EP’s such as “Too Close” off of their 2019 EP The Enemy Within, as well as “Make It Out Alive” from their 2018 EP Chapters. The Band formed in 2007, with frontman and lead vocalist Adrian Estrella leading the way, the band has definitely held their own over the years. Estrella made sure to make the audience feel included, going out into the crowd and starting up mosh pits, as well as getting up close and personal with them during breakdowns. Needless to say, you couldn’t have asked for a better lineup of bands to lead up to the headliner and main event, Vampires Everywhere.

            After a 6 year hiatus, Vampires Everywhere takes the stage once again. Formed back in 2009 by frontman Michael Orlando, or Michael Vampire, the band has been dormant since 2016, until earlier this year, when the band released its most recent single, “Witch”, which was also featured on their most recent EP, and name of the tour, The Awakening. Other songs performed off of the album included fan favorites “The Hills” and “Timebomb”. Another highlight for the night included the bands cover of “Teenage Dream” which was originally performed by Katy Perry, but was featured of their 2010 album Kiss The Sun Goodbye. To say the least, there couldn’t have been a better title for this EP, because Vampires Everywhere are truly awakening, and coming back stronger than ever.  

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Shelby Tyce

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