Tag cleansing of the temple

On Saturday, December 20, 2025, Welcome To The Family Presents delivered a powerful and memorable night of heavy music at Swanson’s Warehouse in Greenville, South Carolina. The event was promoted by Dylan and his company Welcome To The Family, who have been booking shows throughout the Carolinas for more than three years. His consistency and commitment to the heavy music scene were evident in both the lineup and the overall flow of the night, creating an event that felt intentional rather than thrown together.

Welcome To The Family
https://welcometothefamily.net/

The evening was especially meaningful on a personal level, as I attended the show with my 12-year-old son, Max, who had an absolute blast. I also met up with my friend Steve Morse at the concert, founder of Christian Metal Group, which made the night feel like both a show and a reunion. Before the music even started, I had the opportunity to talk with several familiar faces, including members of Cleansing of the Temple and With Blood Comes Cleansing, as well as Trevor Tyson from Heal the Heart and James, formerly of No Treaty. Many of these are people I have previously interviewed on the Christian Metal Group podcast, so finally meeting them in person added another layer of connection to the night.

Christian Metal Group
https://www.christianmetalgroup.com/

Alpha Strain opened the night, marking the first time I had heard the band live. Featuring a three-guitarist lineup, their sound was thick and aggressive, translating well in the room. During their set, the band mentioned that this would be their last show in South Carolina before disbanding. While their performance was straightforward, it served its purpose in warming up the crowd and setting the tone for the night.

Alpha Strain
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Ev8lW94aQrJFz7BKk9j0N

Return to Glory stepped things up musically and brought a noticeable shift in momentum. Also featuring three guitarists and made up of members 18 and under, the band delivered an impressive and confident performance that exceeded expectations. What stood out just as much as their musicianship was their humility. The band members were in the pit before and after their set, supporting the other bands, which spoke volumes about their character and understanding of community. The pit itself was relentless all night. A death metal and slam-influenced pit simply hits harder, and the energy never really let up.

Return to Glory
https://www.instagram.com/returntogloryband/

Cleansing of the Temple followed and proved once again why they stand out in the DIY deathcore scene. With two guitarists driving their sound, the band delivered a face-melting set that was as heavy as anything happening in the genre today. Offstage, they are some of the nicest guys you will meet, but once they step on stage, they completely transform. I am genuinely excited to see where their talent and persistence within the DIY environment take them. I had purchased one of their shirts at the last show, and at this show I picked up another one so my son could wear it proudly.

Cleansing of the Temple
https://www.cleansingofthetemple.com/

When With Blood Comes Cleansing took the stage, their experience immediately showed. Anchored by a single guitarist, the band delivered a crushing and precise set that reminded everyone why their name still carries weight. Every transition, breakdown, and movement reflected years of musicianship. I picked up a shirt and their new CD, which is brilliant. Every song on the release focuses on a martyr from the Bible, giving the album both theological weight and artistic focus while remaining unapologetically heavy.

With Blood Comes Cleansing
https://www.withbloodcomescleansing.com/

For most of the night, I found myself standing on the edge of a wild pit, nearly getting slammed a few times. At one point, a guy bumped into me, immediately apologized, and then gave me a hug. Throughout the evening, I witnessed people being helped up and others stopping to make sure everyone was okay. This is the side of the metal community that those outside the scene often do not understand. Beneath the aggression is a culture of respect, kindness, and unity. Seeing people of different ages, hair colors, and skin tones gathered together to enjoy the music they love was a powerful reminder of what brings this community together.

This show was not just heavy. It was human. It was community. And it was exactly why nights like this still matter.

Second Annual Breaking Darkness Music Festival

By Jimmy Sorrells – Stage Manager
Second Annual Breaking Darkness Music Festival

On August 2nd, The Premier in Hickory, NC hosted something far greater than a concert—it hosted a movement. The second annual Breaking Darkness Music Festival brought together faith, hard rock, heavy metal, and a mission to break chains and lift up the name of Jesus. As the stage manager, I had the privilege of experiencing it all—up close, behind the scenes, and sometimes right in the thick of the mosh pit.

This all-day event featured nine powerful performances, hundreds of attendees, food trucks, passionate volunteers, and most importantly—purpose. With every ticket sold and every piece of merch moved, we raised over $4,000 to support three addiction recovery nonprofits:

• Bethel Colony of Mercy
• Safe Harbor NC
• Recovery NC

All three are doing vital, gospel-centered work to help men and women break free from the bondage of addiction.

Special Thanks

A heartfelt thank you goes to Seth Olsen, guitarist for the band Counter, and the driving force behind this entire festival. His dedication, organizational effort, and commitment to Christ made Breaking Darkness a reality. From coordinating the lineup to working out the logistics, Seth worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Without him, this event simply would not have happened. And looking ahead, he’s already praying for the right people to come alongside him to take Breaking Darkness 2026 even further.

Band Performances (Official Set Order)

Jennifer Alvarado
Kicking off the day with authenticity and worship, Jennifer Alvarado delivered a heartfelt set that brought peace and reflection. Her vulnerability and vocal strength were the perfect start, offering a powerful contrast to the heavier acts that followed.

Tricord
This was my first time seeing Tricord, and they exceeded all expectations. Lead vocalist Jermaine was a standout—not only fronting the band with energy and conviction, but also joining other artists on stage throughout the day. Whether in the crowd or sharing vocals with Cleansing of the Temple and Ignescent, his presence was magnetic. Their set was tight, worshipful, and left a lasting impression.

Igniting the Sky
With a high-energy post-hardcore set, Igniting the Sky brought the volume and chaos in the best way. Their performance was engaging, relentless, and full of fun. This was a set that got faces melted and fists in the air.

Saving Darkness
These guys came in swinging with their own brand of heavy hard rock. The chemistry on stage was clear, and their connection with the crowd was undeniable. Their set was one of the most interactive and entertaining of the day.

Counter
Female-fronted and full of grit, Counter offered something unique and refreshing. The vocals were strong and captivating, and their sound hit with a perfect blend of melody and edge. Seeing Seth Olsen rip it on guitar, knowing he organized the whole event, added an extra layer of respect to their set.

Cleansing of the Temple
Undoubtedly the heaviest band of the day, Cleansing of the Temple brought crushing death metal riffs and deep growls that rumbled through the floor. Frontman Gavin hit the stage in his trademark look: overalls, no shirt, no shoes. Their intensity was unmatched and brought raw, unfiltered energy that pushed the boundaries of Christian heavy music—in all the right ways.

Set For The Fall
A crowd favorite from start to finish, Set For The Fall delivered a set full of powerful hooks, emotional lyrics, and undeniable presence. Their performance was heartfelt and hard-hitting, creating one of the most memorable moments of the day.

Ignescent
This was not just a show—it was an experience. Theatrics and power collided as frontwoman Jennifer emerged from a coffin during their opening song, immediately captivating the crowd. Their fusion of metal, hard rock, and melody was polished and immersive. Ignescent knows how to build an atmosphere and deliver impact.

Disciple
The headliner and veterans of the genre, Disciple closed the night with exactly what we all expected—pure, passionate, purpose-driven rock and roll. Their set was relentless, their message bold, and their performance nothing short of professional. They shouted the name of Jesus from the stage while delivering hit after hit. Disciple continues to be one of the most consistent and inspiring bands in Christian music today.

Spoken Word Moment

At one point during a longer changeover, Billy James performed a spoken word piece that completely shifted the atmosphere. What could have been an awkward pause became a sacred moment. Billy reminded everyone that this wasn’t just a festival. It was an altar.

Behind the Curtain

As stage manager, I saw the day unfold from a different angle. The team effort was incredible—techs, volunteers, artists, vendors, and the venue all worked together with clarity, purpose, and unity. From the first soundcheck to the final load-out, it felt like more than just good planning—it felt like divine coordination.

Final Thoughts

Breaking Darkness Festival 2025 was more than music. It was mission. It was ministry. It was a gathering of the remnant—a bold, loud, passionate expression of faith through hard rock and heavy metal. Chains were broken. Lives were touched. Jesus was glorified.

• 9 bands
• 1 mission
• Over $4,000 raised for recovery and hope

And this is only year two.

I’d do it all again tomorrow. Let’s go even bigger in 2026.