The Masquerade in Atlanta hosted a powerful lineup as Demon Hunter, Convictions, and Cultist brought the “There Was A Light Here” tour through Georgia. This was my first time seeing both Demon Hunter and Cultist live, and I got to experience the night with my sons Leo and Max along with my friends Steve Morse and Trey.

Cultist kicked things off with nonstop energy. Having two lead vocalists could easily feel overcrowded, but they made it work perfectly. Both singers stayed in constant motion, engaging the crowd and bringing intensity to every song. Even as the newer band on the tour package, they definitely gained new fans that night.

Convictions kept the momentum rolling with crushing breakdowns and a crowd that clearly knew every word. Their frontman did an incredible job keeping the audience hyped from beginning to end. One of the coolest moments personally was watching my son Leo experience his first mosh pit during their set. By the end of the night, he walked away with both a Convictions and Demon Hunter setlist.

When Demon Hunter took the stage, the atmosphere completely shifted. Their lighting setup relied heavily on dark red, white, and blue backlighting that created an intense visual experience throughout most of the set. Spotlights only appeared between songs and during the acoustic moments, making those sections stand out even more.

The band performed “The Brink” acoustically along with another stripped down song later in the set. Those moments added variety to the massive 20 song performance and almost felt like intentional breathers during such a long and demanding show.

Ryan Clark’s stage presence was impossible to ignore. During the acoustic songs, the lighting finally revealed more details including his tattooed torso, hand painted overcoat, and customized microphone stand featuring a metal cross attachment.

After 25 years, Demon Hunter continues proving why they remain one of the most respected bands in heavy music. Hearing the crowd sing nearly every word showed just how much their music still connects with fans today.

I was also excited to leave the venue with a Cultist vinyl in hand to remember an unforgettable night of music.