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Mesa, AZ — Arizona’s metal scene is thriving, yet it often flies under the radar, deserving far more recognition. While other genres may get more press, the crowd for Leprous’s concert at The Nile Theatre, with support from Fight The Fight and Earthside, proves that the scene is absolutely thriving. The concertgoers on Saturday night demonstrated a scene that formed a tight-knit community, united by their shared love of the music. There was a sense of camaraderie and belonging among fans at the show. The crowd was filled with passionate fans who turned out for Leprous but gave the same love to New England’s Earthside and Norway’s Fight The Fight. The crowd at The Nile was alive, in the moment, and metal A.F. 

Fight The Fight

Touring in support of their new album Shah Of Time, Fight The Fight delivered on their unique blend of heavy metalcore and elements of alternative metal and rock. From the opener of “Serpent in the Sand,” the band’s sound was driven by the chugging guitars of Amok and Lord who provided a force throughout their entire set.

The rhythm section of bassist HM and drummer Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow created the foundation on which the whole band shined, with both really showing out on “Alien” and “12800.” Combined, the band allowed Lars Vegas’s catchy, melodic vocals, which shifted effortlessly from heavy verses into cinematic heights, especially on the band’s closer: “In Memory.” 

Earthside

New England’s Earthside was up next. Their sound is a modern twist on vintage progressive rock with each song in their setting displaying their complex compositions, intricate musicianship, and a blend of heavy and atmospheric sounds.

Their five-song set was an experience, powerful and dazzling. Pulling heavily from last year’s Let the Truth Speak, the first four songs (“We Who Lament,” “Pattern of Rebirth,” “Watching the Earth Sink,”  and “Let the Truth Speak”) showcased the band’s incredible interplay of music and showmanship. Their closer of “The Closest I’ve Come,” the lone song performed from their debut A Dream in Static, left the crowd fired up for more while amped for Leprous’s set. 

Leprous

The lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted in a roar as Norwegian progressive metal band Leprous took the stage. The first time they played Arizona, there were 29 people at the show, singer Einar Solberg told the crowd.

In the years since, the band has built a rabid following that turned out, and it’s clear that the Arizona crowd is some of their most hardcore. The band’s intricate compositions, technical prowess, and emotional depth were unleashed in a live, unfiltered experience across their 15-song set, and the opener “Silently Walking Alone” from the recently-released Melodies Of Atonement showed exactly why the Norwegian powerhouse is so loved. 

Their set was a marvel, as each member is a superstar presence in their own right. Solberg’s distinctive vocals, which soared above the dense sonic landscape, achieved Freddie Mercury-esque heights, while the rhythmic patterns of Baard Kolstad provided a complex foundation for the band’s musical exploration. On highlights of the night like “On a Sunken Ship” and “Unfree My Soul,” the intricate instrumentals filled the air with technicality and emotion. 

With each song, the Leprous’s emotional intensity grew. Each song in their set delved into themes of introspection and vulnerability, connecting with the audience who responded with pumped fists throughout. Solberg would climb on top of the speakers at the front, ascending like a God-like figure to deliver a powerful and expressive performance that conveyed the raw emotion behind the lyrics.

“Faceless,” also from the new album, featured a fan choir made up of a few of Arizona’s most die hard Leprous fans. Sharing that moment with the fans was a magical moment of the night, as it showed how seamless the connection between band and their fans has become, eliminating the idea of “us” and “them” and instead creating a moment of “we.” 

The rest of the set, with “Slave,” “From the Flame,” and “Atonement,” built on this moment. Even as the final notes of “The Sky is Red” faded out, the energy in the room made it clear the night was not over. When the band returned to the stage, they gave the fans three choices: “Stuck,” “Rewind,” and “Castaway Angels.” While any would have made for an unimaginably powerful closer, it was clear the crowd wanted “Castaway Angels,” and the band absolutely delivered. As the final notes faded, the riotous crowd erupted in applause for each member as they exited the stage, with everyone emotionally spent by the moment and yet not ready to call it a night. It was a moment, testament to the unforgettable performance we had all just witnessed. 

Leprous may have first played Arizona in 2016 to just 29 people, but after Saturday’s truly immersive and powerful experience they gave to everyone in attendance, it’s clear they’ve found a home away from home at The Nile in Mesa. However, with the ever-growing passion of their fanbase, it’s hard to imagine the theater will be able to contain them the next time they return.

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Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

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Leprous | Earthside | Fight The Fight

Leprous, Earthside, & Fight The Fight – The Nile Theatre 9-28-24

Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
All Rights Reserved.