BY MAUI CABRAL There’s something about Raleigh when the right lineup comes through, it just feels electric. Wednesday night was one of th...
BY MAUI CABRAL
There’s something about Raleigh when the right lineup comes through, it just feels electric. Wednesday night was one of those nights where you walk into the venue and know you’re about to witness something special. Camera in hand, I could feel the anticipation buzzing through the crowd.
Dead Poet Society were up first. These guys are newer compared to the others on that stage, but they’ve been making serious waves in the altrock and modern metal scene. Their sound is heavy yet melodic, the kind of music that lingers in your chest long after the song ends. Live, it’s a whole other experience--haunting vocals, tight musicianship, and this raw emotion that instantly pulls the audience in. It’s rare to see an opener grab the crowd that fast, but they had Raleigh’s full attention.
Then came Asking Alexandria. This one felt personal for me. I’ve had the honor of shooting for them before, and seeing them again on this stage felt like reconnecting with old friends. Asking Alexandria has been holding it down in the metalcore world since the mid 2000s, constantly evolving, and yet always delivering that mix of chaos and melody they’re known for. Danny Worsnop’s voice cut through with grit and soul, switching from raw screams to soaring clean vocals with ease. The band played like they had nothing to prove, just pure passion poured into every note. Watching thousands of fans scream every lyric back at them was one of those moments that makes you stop and just take it all in. Behind the lens, I could feel my own adrenaline spiking it’s that rush of capturing not just a performance, but a piece of history in motion.
Then it was time for Chevelle. Over two decades deep into their career, the Loeffler brothers reminded Raleigh why they’re still one of the most respected names in hard rock. Their sound live is massive, dark, thunderous, and perfectly balanced between aggression and precision. Pete’s vocals carried that signature weight, while Sam’s drumming pounded through the crowd like rolling thunder. There’s a chemistry between those brothers that can’t be faked. You see it, you feel it, and it hits you right in the chest. When they tore into fan favorites like “The Red” and “Send the Pain Below,” the entire venue erupted. Goosebumps. You could see it on the fans' faces. People screaming, fists in the air, completely lost in the music.
From the rising fire of Dead Poet Society, to the raw chaos and connection of Asking Alexandria, to the crushing, seasoned power of Chevelle, this lineup had everything. Nights like this are why I do what I do--standing in the middle of it all, camera in hand, adrenaline in my veins, capturing fleeting moments that tell a story long after the amps go silent.
Raleigh, you showed up and you showed out. And I’m grateful I got to be there to capture it.
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- JOSH "MAUI" CABRAL
Hey! I'm Maui. Originally from Queens, New York, now making Raleigh, NC my new home. I'm a touring photographer and Nomadic Motorcycle Rider, obsessed with seeing the world through different lenses!
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