Wednesday night, the Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville turned into an absolute cathedral of progressive rock and metal as Coheed and Cambria, Mastodon, and Periphery delivered a powerhouse of a show with the Infinite Arc tour that was equal parts technical wizardry, emotional catharsis, and just straight-up face-melting fun.
Periphery kicked off the night and they dived straight into an astonishing set that created a blend of metalcore and prog rock that is extremely unique in the scene. The Maryland formed prog band’s set was air tight, heavy, and full of energy, opening with “Reptile” to get the crowd pumped up right away. Spencer Sotelo’s vocals were on point as he effortlessly switched between pristine clean melodies and guttural roars that echoed throughout the amphitheater, while Misha Mansoor and the rest of the band made complex rhythms that prog is known for look effortless. For an opener, they absolutely crushed it. A lot of people were still filtering in given the fact it was a week night, but those who showed up early got a masterclass in modern prog-metal.
Mastodon followed and brought their own form of energy with complex guitar riffs and gruff bass lines that filled out their signature sound. Brent Hinds absent was noticed, but drummer Brann Dailor filled in expertly on vocals, as Nick Johnston ripped through the lead guitar role like he had been in the band for years. Their lighting and visuals added a dark, moody backdrop that really enhanced the vibe, almost hypnotic at times with flames and otherworldly imagery dancing across the panels in the back. Mastodon shows are always engrossing, this set being no different and the crowd gave it back to the band in spades. The smoke filled stage looked like something from a science fiction film, at one point the covenant Cysquatch took the stage to add to the theatrics as the crowd roared! From top to bottom Mastodon delivered a masterpiece.
Then it was time for Coheed and Cambria, and the whole atmosphere shifted again. Say what you want about concept albums and sci-fi narratives, but Claudio Sanchez knows how to connect the material to the stage. They opened the stage with just Claudio and Travis Stever playing for the crowded house, as Zach Cooper and Josh Eppard slowly trickled in to fill out the sound. The setlist was a mix of deep cuts and crowd-pleasers with songs like “A Favor House Atlantic” and “Welcome Home” hitting hard with the fans. Claudio’s voice was in top form, and his signature double-neck guitar made its usual dramatic appearance. By the time they closed out the evening, it felt like the entire place had been on a journey through space and time with them.
The Infinite Arc tour was a fully engaging experience that created a vibe of shared appreciation for musicianship and storytelling as people sang along and enjoyed the theatrics. The sound was clean, loud, and punchy (shoutout to the Orion’s amazing acoustics), and the lighting for all three bands was genuinely stunning. If you’re even remotely into progressive or alternative metal, this was a dream lineup and a tour that shouldn’t be missed. It’s not every day you get to see that level of talent packed into one show. Huntsville showed up, and the Orion once again proved it’s one of the best venues in the country.
Coheed and Cambria and Mastodon’s The Infinite Arc Tour continues through June 8th of 2025. For upcoming shows, visit https://www.coheedandcambria.com/.
Follow Coheed and Cambria, Mastodon, and Periphery on their socials below:
Coheed and Cambria: Instagram // Facebook
Mastodon: Instagram // Facebook
Periphery: Instagram // Facebook
