Tag shows

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.