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Tabernacle – Atlanta, Georgia
July 8, 2026

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.

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.