Escape the Fate have returned to the land down under for the Dead Masquerade Australian tour. Hundreds of goths, emos and energy drink guzzling hard rockers descended upon the metro on Friday night for the Sydney stop of the tour.

First on stage were Aussie band The Beautiful Monument. Playing a heavy and captivating set. With the band showcasing their devilish new song “hellbound” live, getting us excited for what’s to come. Fans of the band won’t have to wait long to see them again as they have just announced their own Australian headline tour in June.

Next up on stage it was American band D.R.U.G.S also known as Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows. Forming in 2010 D.R.U.G.S were initially a post-harcore supergroup featuring members of other notable scene bands including Chiodos, Story of the year, From First to last and Matchbook Romance. The band only lasted two years two before breaking up. Then in 2022 the band remerged with a new album called Destroy Rebuild although vocalist Craig Owens is now the only original member. With first the current touring drummer, bass player and guitarist walking on stage then Owens appeared to huge screams from the audience as they started with “if you think this song is about you, it probably is”. Craig wasn’t happy with the lack of energy from the crowd, demanding a circle pit early on. His demands were met and the crowd amped up.

D.R.U.G.S then proceeded to give us a sonic assault delivering a best of set of both their albums. Culminating in “sex life” then ending with “outcasts vs everyone”. There’s no denying the tattooed poster boy Craig Owens still has an impressive vocal range and addictive stage presence.                                                                   

Now we are just moments away from the headliner of the night to start. Tonight Escape the Fate are playing their 2010 self-titled album in full. First the only original member, drummer Robert Ortiz appears on stage getting behind his kit. As the music plays for “choose your fate” he is joined by bassist Erik Jensen, guitarist Matti Hoffman and vocalist Craig Mabbit. They then proceed to play the album in track order. With Mabbit’s vocals sounding rad as ever. The crowd was in full voice for every song with “gorgeous nightmare” and “issues” being obvious fan favourites. With the main set ending with “aftermath” as the band walked off stage.

This wasn’t to be the end as Escape The Fate returned for not one but two encore sets. Firstly returning to give us “low” a brand new single that was only recently released. Then another new one “H8 My Self”. Before playing “lighting strike” a song from their 2021 album Chemical Warfare. Chants were heard from the audience for “Ashley” as Craig began to ask who’s Ashley? After teasing us we then got “Ashley” giving us all those 2008 emo nostalgia vibes. As the first encore closed with “broken heart”.

New guitarist Matti Hoffman then shredded his way through a guitar solo. As Craig appeared perched above the crowd starting off the second encore with “this war is our”. With the last song of the night going to “one for the money” as Craig stage dived into the crowd to finish the song. For a band that has seen multiple line up changes and a sound that comes in and out of fashion, Sydney Australia fans have stayed loyal to Escape The Fate. That loyal in fact that the band completely sold out of merch at the start of the night!   

(Photos by Christian Ross)