The Radio Room in Greenville, SC, hosted an incredible night of heavy music as Maylene and the Sons of Disaster kicked off their summer tour alongside Atomic Rule, Across Five Aprils, New Rituals, and local openers Reviler.
The crowd grew throughout the night, and by the time Across Five Aprils hit the stage, the room was packed. It was my first time seeing all five bands, and each one brought something different to the lineup.
Greenville’s own Reviler got things started with a solid hometown performance. New Rituals followed with a strong hardcore set, and it was fun seeing Josh Scogin in the crowd supporting the band.
Across Five Aprils proved they haven’t lost a step. Steve Taylor joked that the band only plays a few shows each year and called their music “hardcore adjacent,” but they sounded great. One of the coolest moments of the night came when the band discovered it was a six-year-old fan’s birthday. The crowd wished him a happy birthday before helping him experience his first crowd surf in a safe way.
The biggest surprise for me was Atomic Rule. Their sludgy, groove-heavy sound immediately got the crowd moving with the first pit and crowd surfers of the night. Featuring former Every Time I Die guitarist Andy Williams, the band was incredibly tight and definitely earned some new fans.
Then came Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. Dallas Taylor still brings an unbelievable amount of energy to the stage, and every member of the band looked like they were having the time of their lives. The crowd responded with nonstop singing, pits, and crowd surfing throughout the set.
The best moment may have happened after the show. Dallas Taylor stayed to meet fans, take pictures, and spend time with everyone, especially the kids. It’s always encouraging to see artists invest in the people who support them.
Overall, this was an outstanding way to kick off the tour. Great bands, a great crowd, and another reminder of why the heavy music community continues to be one of the best around.
Following the release of Trials and Tribulations, Evan Ryan Canady returns with Providence, an eight song album that boldly places Scripture at the center of its message. Combining heavy guitars, soaring melodies, and thoughtful songwriting, this release offers more than just another metal record. It is a collection of songs rooted in biblical truth and personal faith.
The album artwork immediately captures the eye. A lone tree stands in the middle of a barren desert beneath a brilliant night sky. While open to interpretation, it beautifully reflects the album’s title. Even in the driest places, God can bring life and hope.
The opening instrumental, On the Road to Damascus, wastes no time showcasing Evan Ryan Canady’s impressive guitar work. Following a solid drum introduction, soaring guitar melodies blend seamlessly with a tasteful piano section, creating a powerful beginning that sets the tone for the rest of the album.
The biblical themes continue throughout the record. Rise Before the Fall calls listeners to repentance with the challenge to “tear down the wall of immorality” while the addition of female background vocals and spoken passages adds depth to an already powerful song. Return of the King features crushing guitar riffs, creative time changes, and one of the album’s strongest lyrical moments as it speaks of walking with the Spirit while carrying the sword and shield of God.
The title track reminds listeners that God’s plan is often beyond our understanding. Its memorable guitar solo and encouraging message to “trust in providence” become the spiritual centerpiece of the album.
One of the record’s most emotional moments comes with The Life I’m Meant to Lead, a song addressing domestic violence while drawing inspiration from James 1:6 and Matthew 5:4. The Storm on the Sea of Galilee revisits Christ calming the storm from Mark 4, challenging believers with the timeless question, “Oh ye of little faith, why are you afraid?”
Closing tracks Alleluia and Sons of Perdition continue exploring biblical themes, ending the album on a thoughtful and sobering note.
Although Providence contains only eight songs, it feels complete from beginning to end. Evan Ryan Canady has crafted an album that balances impressive musicianship with an unapologetically Christ centered message. For fans of melodic Christian metal that values substance as much as technical ability, Providence is well worth adding to your playlist.
The Tabernacle remains one of my favorite venues, with excellent acoustics and a setting that always makes a show feel special. I made the trip with two of my regular concert buddies, Brian Tanguay and Steve Morse, and this was my first time seeing all three bands on the bill.
Heal The Hurt made the most of a short opening set. I had interviewed Trevor Tyson about a year ago and had met him at a Cleansing of the Temple and With Blood Comes Cleansing show in Greenville, so it was good to finally catch the band live. Trevor spoke between songs about hope, reminding the crowd that they are loved and not alone. That message matched the band’s performance, which was energetic, heartfelt, and strong enough that my friends actually preferred them over Wolves at the Gate that night.
Wolves at the Gate delivered exactly what you would expect from a veteran Christian metalcore band. Their mix of screams and clean vocals hit hard, and their set kept the energy moving. The frontman worked the stage constantly and did a great job engaging the crowd, while the band continued to show why they have set such a high standard for heavy music with substance.
This was my first time seeing Flyleaf, and getting to see them with Lacey Sturm made it even more memorable. The band is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its self-titled debut album, and there was a real sense that Atlanta was witnessing something special as the first night of the tour. Before Flyleaf took the stage, “The Red” by Chevelle blasted through the PA in tribute to their late sound engineer Rich Caldwell, a meaningful moment that gave the opening even more weight.
Flyleaf’s set mixed nostalgia, emotion, and gratitude. Lacey spoke openly about hope and reminded the packed room that they are loved and not alone, and it came across as sincere rather than rehearsed. One of the biggest moments of the night was hearing “This Close” played live for the first time ever. She also shared how thankful she was that Sameer Bhattacharya was able to be there after recovering from a motorcycle accident. Meanwhile, Pat Seals brought nonstop energy on bass, and the whole band looked fully locked in.
Songs like “All Around Me,” “I’m So Sick,” and “Fully Alive” had the crowd moving, while “Cassie” and “Sorrow” brought plenty of singalongs. Flyleaf’s catalog has clearly held up, and this lineup still knows how to connect with a crowd.
After the show, it was good to see Cindy Blankenship, aka The Mothership, another familiar face from several concerts this year. It was a fitting end to a memorable night and a strong opening date for Flyleaf’s anniversary run.
Suffer Not The Witch is more than a one-man extreme metal project. For Jarrod Butler, it’s a ministry born from personal experience. Having spent years in the death and black metal scene, Butler now uses his music to share the Gospel with the same community he once called home. We spoke with Jarrod about his testimony, his music, and why he intentionally takes Christ into some of the darkest corners of the metal world.
From the Occult to Christ
Jimmy Lamar Sorrells: Tell us about “Witch’s Den.”
Jarrod Butler: “Witch’s Den” is my personal testimony in song form.
The strongest line in that song that really summarizes what it’s about is:
“I went from the witch’s den to born again.”
Having a background early on in black metal, I got heavily into witchcraft, all kinds of different forms. I got into Satanism from the black metal scene. I have an obsessive personality, so I got really heavily into it.
I was seventeen when I was saved.
The strange part of my testimony is that even after I was saved, I kept playing extreme metal. I toured Europe with death metal bands and sang about gore and fornication. I joined black metal bands and didn’t care what the lyrics said because I was being intentionally ignorant.
I thought, “I’m saved. It doesn’t matter what I sing about because I don’t believe it.”
That wasn’t true.
I found out the hard way.
Eventually it caused me to walk completely away from the metal scene for at least a decade.
When I came back, I gave everything musically to Christ. That’s what brought me back into metal.
Originally it was through America Inc., but Suffer Not The Witch became one hundred percent dedicated to Christ, using my testimony as a ministry weapon.
The Meaning Behind the Name
Jay Goodwin: Tell us about the name.
Jarrod Butler: It comes from Exodus 22:18.
The obvious meaning grabs your attention. Being black metal, you’re not subtle.
But there’s another meaning.
“Crucify and Deny” is about denying your flesh. Crucifying your old man.
My old man is a witch.
So anytime that old man tries to rear his head, I’m to suffer not that witch to live.
I’m to crucify him.
Kill him.
Be gone.
That’s what it means for me, and that’s the conversation I can have with members of the occult when they come to talk to me.
Taking the Gospel to Black Metal Shows
Jimmy Lamar Sorrells: You’re intentionally playing secular black metal shows?
Jarrod Butler: Absolutely.
I intentionally play at the darkest black metal shows I can because I want to minister to the community I was saved from.
I know how to talk to them.
I know about it.
I equate it to escaping a collapsed mine and taking the light. Because I know the way out, I can go back in with the light and show everybody else the way out too.
A Life Changed
Jimmy Lamar Sorrells: Have you seen lives changed already?
Jarrod Butler: Yes.
The bass player from that satanic band wanted to talk afterward.
We started texting back and forth.
He had all the hard questions you would expect.
Then he disappeared.
Later I found out he started coming to every Suffer Not The Witch show.
Today he and his mother have both given their lives to Christ.
Praise God.
A Warning and an Invitation
Jimmy Lamar Sorrells: What would you say to someone involved in witchcraft, Satanism, or Masonry?
Jarrod Butler: The reason people fall for witchcraft is because it works.
People don’t like hearing that, but it’s true.
The question is, at what cost?
What is happening to your soul?
All the things you’re looking for…
You know you haven’t found them.
You’re still empty.
The only answer you’re going to find is Christ.
If you’re willing to dig into witchcraft…
If you’re willing to memorize everything you do as a Mason…
You have it in you to dig gloriously into the Word of God.
Everything you’re searching for is there.
The world makes complete sense when you have Scripture in front of you.
Supporting the Ministry
Jimmy Lamar Sorrells: What can the Christian metal community do to support the ministry?
Jarrod Butler: Buy merch. Buy music on Bandcamp. Come to shows.
