THOUSAND BELOW TEARS THROUGH SALT LAKE CITY
SOUNDWELL — SALT LAKE CITY, UT
On a Monday night at Salt Lake City's Soundwell, San Diego metalcore band Thousand Below performed an aggressive and emotionally charged set for a night of their BURIED IN JADE TOUR, serving as a testament to their growth and to the overall energy of their new album Buried in Jade. It's a release for a fan base that screams every note back with the same fervor and shouts out every lyric, proving it's not just music for the mosh pit.
As soon as the lights dimmed and the opening chords of "Kerosene" ripped through the speakers, it was clear that Thousand Below had reached a higher level of sonic maturity. The band's stage presence was electric, and each member was feeding off the crowd's obvious passion. Vocalist James DeBerg was a force of nature, his guttural screams striking with a visceral intensity compounded by his soaring, melodic clean singing. The vocal dynamic range, from moments of outright, unadulterated rage to naked vulnerability, was a masterclass in modern metalcore vocals.
The setlist was a selected journey through their discography, but the Buried in Jade tracks were the undisputed highlights. "Palace of Dread" rolled in on a freight train, the chugging riffs and dynamic breakdowns propelling the audience into a tailspin. The interplay between crushing heaviness and atmospheric passages in the song came together even more persuasively in a live setting than on the album, creating a sense of controlled chaos. Similarly, "Sinking Me" demonstrated the band's mastery at building tension, with its pop-infused verses spilling into a bone-shattering breakdown that rattled no head un-banged.
What truly sets Thousand Below apart is the ability to reconcile ruthless brutality with great emotional resonance. "Sabotage" was a welcome, breathtaking, and chilling closer. The crowd had been chanting requests for it all night, and when the song reached its crescendo, the audience became a sea of outstretched arms and singing voices, a release of feeling shared collectively beyond the typical show. It's a reminder that beneath the coats of distortion and screams lies a genuine message of loss, strength, and redemption.
The evening was a success for Thousand Below, demonstrating that not only are they at the height of their trade but still pushing the boundaries of their genre. They delivered a performance that was as aurally brutal as it was emotionally moving, cementing their place as one of the most interesting and authentic voices in metalcore.
