BY MAUI CABRAL Some lineups are stacked. And then every once in a while, a tour comes through that feels like a love letter to heavy musi...
BY MAUI CABRAL
Some lineups are stacked. And then every once in a while, a tour comes through that feels like a love letter to heavy music itself. This was one of those nights. Walking into The Ritz Raleigh, you could already tell this wasn’t going to be a casual evening. The crowd was a mix of old-school metalheads, hardcore kids, thrash fans, and metalcore fans all there for different reasons but connected by one thing: Heavy metal music. And with Havok, Iron Reagan, Machine Head, and Killswitch Engage sharing the same stage, there wasn’t a weak spot anywhere.
Opening the night was Havok, carrying the torch for a style of metal that refuses to fade away. Coming out of Colorado, Havok has become one of the strongest modern thrash bands around. Fast riffs, blistering solos, and enough energy to make you feel like you got dropped straight into the late ’80s. Their set didn’t ease anyone into the night. They hit the gas immediately. The crowd responded exactly how you’d expect. Heads banging. Fists in the air. Circle pits starting before most people had even settled into their spots. A perfect way to start the evening.
Then came Iron Reagan, and any sense of order disappeared. Blending hardcore punk and crossover thrash, Iron Reagan has built a reputation around fast songs, wild energy, and absolutely zero interest in slowing down. Their set felt like a pressure valve exploding. Short songs. Fast riffs. Nonstop movement. The pit became its own living thing. From behind the camera, it felt impossible to predict what was going to happen next. Which usually means you’re having a great time.
Then came Machine Head. And honestly, this one always feels a little different. This was my second time shooting the homies in Machine Head, and seeing those guys again felt like reconnecting with old friends who just happen to be one of the most respected metal bands on the planet. Led by Robb Flynn, Machine Head has spent more than three decades building a legacy through pure determination, incredible songwriting, and some of the most crushing live performances in metal. Their catalog speaks for itself. Songs that blend aggression, melody, groove, and emotion in a way few bands have ever managed. And live? They’re still monsters. The second they hit the stage, the room changed. The crowd got louder. The energy got heavier. And every person in The Ritz seemed locked onto that stage. Watching Machine Head perform never feels routine. It feels important.
And then to close out the show, Killswitch Engage! For so many people, Killswitch isn’t just a band. They’re the reason they discovered metalcore in the first place. Emerging from Massachusetts in the late ’90s, Killswitch Engage helped create an entire movement. Their blend of crushing riffs, melodic choruses, and emotional songwriting became the blueprint for countless bands that followed. Songs like My Curse, The End of Heartache, Rose of Sharyn, and The Signal Fire aren’t just fan favorites. They’re landmarks. And hearing them live at The Ritz felt like hearing pieces of heavy music history unfold in real time.
One thing that always stands out about Killswitch is Jesse Leach. There aren’t many frontmen who can make a room full of people feel like they’re part of something bigger. Jesse does it effortlessly. One moment he’s unleashing some of the most powerful vocals in metal. The next he’s talking to the crowd like an old friend. It’s genuine. And that’s why people connect with this band the way they do.
This was one of those nights where the camera almost became secondary. Not because there weren’t incredible moments to capture. There were plenty. But because you occasionally catch yourself looking up from the viewfinder and simply appreciating what’s happening in front of you.
Four incredible bands. One packed Ritz Raleigh. A room full of people united by heavy music. And getting another chance to photograph Machine Head while watching one of metalcore’s most legendary bands close the night? That’s a pretty good reminder of why I keep doing this.
Havok brought the speed. Iron Reagan brought the chaos. Machine Head brought the power. And Killswitch Engage brought the emotion. Together, they delivered one of those nights that reminds you why heavy music continues to thrive generation after generation. Because trends come and go. But great songs, great bands, and great live performances never go out of style. And for one night at The Ritz Raleigh, heavy music was exactly where it belonged.
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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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