If you could bottle up the energy of a thunderstorm, spike it with adrenaline, and throw it onto a stage for 8 straight hours, that’s about the best way to describe what went down at this year’s Summer of Loud Festival in Atlanta. Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta played host just as they used to do for Mayhem Festival years ago, the festival was a relentless showcase of modern heavy music, spotlighting four headliners that rotate each stop, Summer of Loud gave us straight-up metalcore chaos.
With a stacked lineup featuring TX2, Alpha Wolf, The Devil Wears Prada, The Amity Affliction, Parkway Drive, I Prevail, Beartooth, and Killswitch Engage, there wasn’t a single lull in the action. From the opening breakdown to the final scream, the crowd was right there, moshing, crowd surfing, screaming their lungs out, and of course sweating out their body weight.
Kicking things off was TX2. Known for channeling raw emotion and a unique blend of rap-rock energy and post-hardcore angst, TX2 brought an intensity to the early slot that felt like a headliner move as he moved through the stage with an over the top swagger, interacted with the crowd, and even traded Pokemon cards with fans, TX2 started things out with a bang, providing a strong reminder that TX2 is on a serious upward trajectory.
Things only got heavier when Alpha Wolf stormed the stage next. The Aussie crew brought a wall of sound and pure chaos with their brand of nu-metalcore. “Akudama” turned the pit into a warzone, and “Hotel Underground” was like getting punched in the chest. Front man Lochie Keogh’s energy was unmatched, pacing the stage like a predator while the band’s grizzly breakdowns rattled the venue. Their set was dark, brutal, and absolutely unforgettable.
The Devil Wears Prada delivered a set that straddled the line between brutal and beautiful. They’ve evolved so much over the years, and it showed with a tight mix of old-school bangers like “Danger: Wildman”, which they dedicated to Beartooth’s Calb Shomo, and more emotional cuts like “Salt” and “Chemical”, which was presented with a heartfelt tribute to Dave Shapiro. The band’s chemistry was on full display, and Mike Hranica’s screams felt like they were pulled straight from his soul. It was cathartic, heavy, and hit all the right notes for longtime fans and new ones alike.
Australia struck again as The Amity Affliction as they brought emotional weight to the festival. Their set was a wave of crowd interactions as Joel going into the crowd during “Like Love”, with singalongs erupting during “Soak Me in Bleach” and “Pittsburgh.” Joel Birch’s screams were visceral and gave their choruses a gut-wrenching punch. You could feel the crowd connect on a deeper level during their set, especially as a fan was injured during the last song and Joel took to the crowd to help the injured individual.
Parkway Drive brought the spectacle of the day. From the moment Winston McCall stepped on stage with their hit “Glitch” they commanded attention like seasoned gods of metalcore. Fire, lights, synchronized movements, their set was a full-blown event. “Vice Grip,” “Prey,” and the anthemic “Crushed” had the crowd losing their minds, especially when their patented drum cage started rotating with pyro shooting from everywhere on stage and in the drum rig. It was heavy and cinematic. Parkway Drive aren’t just a band, they’re a movement, and this performance proved why they are loved the way they are.
I Prevail took the stage next with a polished, high-octane set that felt like a sonic assault in the best possible way. “Bow Down” opened the floodgates and “Hurricane” brought the emotion with another touching tribute to the late Dave Shapiro. Their dual-vocal attack between Eric Vanlerberghe and bassist Dylan Bowman kept things dynamic, and the energy never dipped. Where else can you see a heavy metal rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space”? I prevail brought the chaos that fans have come to know them for.
When Beartooth hit the stage, it felt like the heart of the festival started beating louder. Caleb Shomo is one of the most compelling frontmen in modern rock as his non-stop energy on stage is infectious, and his vulnerability shines through even when he’s screaming his lungs out. Songs like “In Between” and “Riptide” turned into mass therapy sessions, while newer tracks like “Might Love Myself”, which Caleb wittingly dedicated to himself show a band constantly pushing forward. Their set was an intense rollercoaster wrapped in distortion and sweat.
Closing the night was Killswitch Engage, and honestly, who better? They’ve been torchbearers for metalcore for over two decades, and they showed zero signs of slowing down. Jesse Leach’s vocals were razor-sharp and his energy is insane on stage, and when their newest hit “I Believe” and “In Due Time” dropped, the entire crowd was one giant, throbbing choir and Leach loves to take to the crowd, interacting with fans. Killswitch brought passion, precision, and power in equal measure to deliver a closer worthy of the festival’s name.
The Summer of Loud Festival wasn’t just a showcase of heavy music, it was a fiery and hot masterpiece. It was crowd surfers flying like waves, fans screaming every lyric like it meant everything, and strangers becoming friends in the chaos of the pit. The single day metal festivals have been absent for a while in the states and this proves to be a worthy successor to the days of Mayhem Festival that we can only hope returns year after year!
Summer of Loud continues through July 27th of 2025. For upcoming shows, visit https://summerofloud.com/#tour.
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