Written by: Ashley Parrish

Photos by: Bre Sheridan
 

Going into this evening, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had been looking forward to this show, the Whispers From The West tour featuring 2 Shadows and No Silence, for weeks. Finally, I get to review some metal bands outside of the extreme category. Nothing against grindcore and brutal death metal, but a girl can only take so many ‘walls of death’ with some guy in a banana suit getting pummeled before things start to get redundant. Sometimes, you just want a catchy chorus and relatable lyrics. Besides, it was the perfect occasion to set free my inner goth girl and break in my new Doc Martens.

Despite every TikTok astrologer warning me to turn around and hide under the covers for a few days—something about a dreaded full moon in Capricorn—I grabbed my favorite concert companion and photographer for the evening, Bre, and we were on our way.

The event, organized by Julian Black, was at The HQ in the historic Baker neighborhood in Denver. Like all of Julian’s events I have attended in the past, it felt well-structured and thoughtfully planned. I swear I have seen him being talked to by ten people simultaneously and not get rattled. His professionalism stands out in an industry full of shady promoters.

Drop Out

Denver's own Drop Out kicked off the night with some theatrical flair. As they entered the stage, a sample of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” blasted over the PA. Donning black ski masks and illuminated in blue light, they launched into their set, immediately igniting the energy of the venue. Beside me, a girl danced off to the side, a neon green stuffed alien in a baby carrier strapped to her chest, embodying the fact that the Denver metal scene is one of the greatest in the nation. We may be strange, but we go hard.  

Their “Coward to a Landmine” performance ignited a small but enthusiastic mosh pit, while “Pain” featured a drum solo that earned them applause from the crowd. A standout moment for me was their performance of “Force Fed,” a track that perfectly encapsulated their chuggy, shoegazey sound with a powerful breakdown. Bones, the vocalist, delivered a solid performance, with emotive and dynamic screams. Their sound was heavier than the other bands, with less emphasis on clean vocals, but I found that when they did slow things down, like with the track “Closer to You,” the slower and clearer vocals definitely gave me Chino from the Deftones vibes, and you can recognize the nineties nu-metal influences in their modern sound.

The band's use of distorted guitar tones added depth to their vibe, particularly in “Soaked in Blood.” This track, along with their overall performance, highlighted their versatility and ability to blend aggression with melody effectively.

No Silence 

No Silence, from Modesto, California, followed up with a tight, energetic set. Following the intro, they launched into “Undeniable,” where the resonant bass tone and overall sound quality immediately stood out.

I had only recently been introduced to their music, and it was their first time in Colorado as a band, so it was also my first time catching them live. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by the energy and charisma each member brought to the stage—even the drummer managed to have a strong stage presence, never disappearing behind his kit as drummers often do. During “Breakaway,” vocalist Darby pulled a fan on stage to sing with him, and boy, did he pick the right fan. She wasted no time seizing the moment, channeling her inner rockstar as she screamed her heart out, leaping up and down—mic in hand—while the stage lights cast her in a red glow. Out of all the shows I have been to, I don’t think I have ever seen someone from the crowd get pulled on stage to sing with the band. I mean, I’ve seen dudes in saggy blue jeans stage jump and erupt in violent slam dancing—but this was different. It was, well—wholesome. 

When they played “Betrayed,” the crowd sang along with the chorus, Darby’s stage presence and distinct vocals shining through. “Freak Show” was dedicated to “the displaced and the unwanted,” featuring a surprise vocal collaboration with Glen from 2 Shadows. This track was a standout due to Hyde and Brandon’s impressive guitar work, solid breakdown, and consistently rich bass tone.

2 Shadows

Known for their viral TikTok sketches “Goths in Ungothly Places,” 2 Shadows has built a significant following, and Denver certainly showed up for them. The band, formed in 2015 in Vancouver, Canada, features the dynamic duo of vocalist Glen Clarke Bridden and guitarist Tryst Germaine. They had an impressive stage plot, with raised platforms, ramps, and two upright black coffins illuminated with the "2S" logo. 

They opened with “Blackened Wings” to an eager crowd. Periodic blasts of fog added to the dramatic ambiance and fired up the audience. This was my first time seeing them live as well, and although I was familiar with their music, I was curious to see how it translated on stage. I can’t confidently declare that I love a band until I have witnessed them in a live setting. I can now officially declare away, as I found their entire set captivating, fun, and engaging. The energy of their set and their entire performance felt authentic. It had the raw energy and passion of people doing what they love for people who love it. It was full of everything you want (or I want) from a live show—the energy, the imperfections, the almost collisions between band members (I swear I saw Tryst nearly clip Glen on the side of the head with his guitar).

Their set featured tracks like “The Devil’s Target,” “Scratching at the Surface,” and “Mad God,” which highlighted Glen’s ability to blend clean and harsh vocals and showcased his range. “Keep Breathing” highlighted Tryst's energetic guitar work and included a nice little solo. “Fading from Misery” had a catchy chorus with plenty of fog effects as the stage was flooded in purple and blue lights.

Their cover of Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was my personal favorite of the evening. It stays true to the original while adding their unique flavor and heaviness without making it cringy—something so many covers fall victim to. But they nailed it. 

So, despite the apparently cursed moon in Capricorn, the night was filled with exceptionally good vibes. In fact, it might have been the most fun show I've been to all year. It was certainly memorable. From the girl dancing with a stuffed alien strapped to her chest to the woman in the front row losing her mind the entire time, and all the colorful characters in between, this show was a blast. All the bands were laid-back and incredibly down-to-earth, and the atmosphere was so relaxed that Bre and I hung out a bit longer after the show, chatting with people and enjoying the company. (I do feel bad and apologize to the lady who was trying to mop the floor around us, but I didn’t want the night to end.) I definitely recommend seeing their live show if you get a chance.