Security guards at The Waiting Room had to pull bloody concert attendees off each other in mosh pits and watch for "crowd killers" - fans that push other into the pit - more than usual on Wednesday night.
The crowd was violent and ready to get down to deathcore.
Progressive metal/deathcore band Born of Osiris returned to Buffalo Wednesday night on its tour with Reflections and Sylar.
Unfortunately, Reflections was unable to make it to the venue, which disappointed a majority of the crowd - especially those in the pit.
On Reflections' Facebook page, fans asked why the band couldn't make it to the show. Alexander Rice, a writer for Absolutepunk.net, drove over 90 miles from Pennsylvania to see Reflections. The band members responded and said their drummer fell ill and they had to drive him back home due to their lack of funds to fly him home.
"I was very disappointed Reflections couldn't make it because they have such a strong fan base in Buffalo," said vocalist Drew Carlson, whose band, Makhai, opened for Born of Osiris. "The crowd was still energized, though, and still had an awesome time."
Though the energy for Born Of Osiris was high, there were mixed feelings from the crowd. After the band emerged on stage an hour after Sylar and opened with "Machine" off its newest album Tomorrow We Die Alive, some of the audience members became hostile. Chants of "You suck" paired with a handful of middle-finger salutes emerged and continued throughout the night.
But Born Of Osiris paid no attention and continued to play its music complete with bass drops, eight-string guitar riffs and progressive metal elements - a deathcore fan's muse.
Born Of Osiris denied to be interviewed for this article.
Vocalist Ronnie Canizaro pumped his fist and angrily stomped around the stage during "Open Arms to Damnation" and fan favorite "Bow Down." At times, his antics were a borderline temper tantrum and his band mates outshined him with instrumentals full of technicality.
Guitarist Lee McKinney was the most focused member. His instrument required the most concentration, but he still managed to perform. McKinney riffed and shook his head around on both sides of the stage, interacting the most with fans.
"I was never really into Born Of Osiris," said Yanius Matias of Buffalo. "They knew how to put on an energetic show regardless of how the crowd reacted."
The vocal hecklers moved toward the bar when they realized the band was paying no attention to their chants and fans were successfully keeping the mosh pit violent. They joined people that attended this show solely for the local Buffalo bands that opened.
"Honestly, I'm just here to show support for my friends in the local bands and drink," said Lacey Snyder of Buffalo.
As the night continued, people started leaving early. The die-hard Born Of Osiris fans stayed in the front and in the pit; many local music supporters stayed to get their money's worth.
Born Of Osiris played "Recreate," another fan favorite, and bid farewell to the fans that stayed. Chants of "one more song" immediately started and Born Of Osiris obliged quickly, running and screaming out on stage.
Queens, N.Y. up-and-comer Sylar was able to suffice its audience, but the movement in the pit didn't surpass the energy during Born Of Osiris or the locals.
Lockport deathcore group Oceans Of Sienna set the heavy atmosphere for the night, despite having a smaller crowd. Local metalcore favorites Makhai and The Creator The Architect put on solid performances. Fans and friends screamed the lyrics and grabbed the vocalists' microphones to show their love. Although Makhai had some equipment problems, its last performance with Carlson was energetic and charismatic.
email: arts@ubspectrum.com
