The Hounds of the Underground Tour Showcases the Future of Modern Metalcore
Metalcore is a crowded and fiercely competitive genre where standing out requires more than just heavy breakdowns and big choruses. The Hounds of the Underground Tour solves that problem by uniting three of the scene's most promising rising acts, If Not For Me, Windwaker and Colorblind, into a rotating co-headlining force. With each band taking turns opening and headlining throughout the run, fans are treated to a fresh experience every night. To do justice both the Los Angeles and Anaheim stops had to be covered, offering the perfect opportunity to compare how each act adapted to different venues and set placements.
The venues themselves played a major role in shaping each night's atmosphere. Los Angeles’ Teragram Ballroom, though smaller in size, created an intimate environment that made every performance feel larger than life. Anaheim's Parish at House of Blues offered a slightly bigger space, but one packed wall to wall with fans. Regardless of location, both nights delivered nonstop energy, polished musicianship and impressive crowd engagement.
Colorblind brought their signature blend of emo-driven alternative rock and modern metalcore to both performances. Opening the Los Angeles date, they served as the perfect catalyst for the night's momentum. In Anaheim, performing second after If Not For Me shifted the room's chaotic energy into something more immersive and atmospheric. Frontman Travis Moseley proved to be one of the tour’s standout vocalists, effortlessly transitioning between soaring melodies and emotionally charged hooks. Of the three bands, Colorblind leaned most heavily into atmosphere and audience intimacy. Songs like ‘Letdown’, ‘Car Crash’ and ‘Needle Eye’ transformed the venues into emotional soundscapes, while ‘Ghosts’ stood out as a particularly powerful moment thanks to the weight carried by its lyrics. Closing with ‘Neversleep’ and ‘God Complex’, the band showcased a distinctive identity that continues to separate them from their peers.
If Not For Me’s rise through the metalcore ranks feels increasingly inevitable. Their crushing breakdowns were elevated by the tight instrumental chemistry of guitarist Hayden Calhoun and bassist Zac Allen, while drummer Cody Frain’s explosive fills provided the backbone for vocalist Patrick Glover’s commanding stage presence. On the Los Angeles date, the band occupied the second headlining slot and delivered one of the evening's most energetic performances. Glover’s ability to switch seamlessly between melodic passages and ferocious screams remained one of the tour's vocal highlights. Anaheim saw the band rotate into the opening position, yet they wasted no time setting the standard for the rest of the night.
Fan favorites including ‘Retrograde’, ‘Alone’ and ‘Tragedy’ immediately ignited mosh pits, while crowdsurfing became a major factor on the second night due to restrictions at the Los Angeles show. The band also debuted ‘Broken Throne’ and ‘Unholy’ across both performances while teasing a new album currently in the works. Closing with ‘Blameless’ and ‘Feel Me Now’, If Not For Me left audiences fully energised and ready for whatever chaos followed.
As the final act on both nights, Windwaker carried the responsibility of delivering a memorable finale. Not only did they rise to the occasion, they arguably stole the show.
From the opening notes of ‘Siren’, the band's blend of electronic elements, vibrant lighting, and infectious energy transformed the room into a nonstop celebration. Liam Guinane’s dynamic vocal performance balanced powerful chants, melodic hooks, and charismatic crowd interaction. Meanwhile, Chris Lalic’s combination of drumming and electronic programming synchronised perfectly with the lighting production, creating a sensory experience that felt relentless in both pace and intensity.
Guitarists Jesse Crofts and Indey Salvestro showcased their versatility throughout highlights such as ‘Superstitious Fantasy’, ‘The Wall’ and ‘Break the Rules’. Every moment felt meticulously crafted yet spontaneous enough to encourage crowd participation. Walls of death, crowdsurfers, and constant movement became the norm as the set progressed. By the time closing tracks ‘Victory Lap’ and ‘Tabula Rasa’ arrived, the crowd had fully surrendered to the band's euphoric atmosphere, dancing and shouting along until the final note.
The Hounds of the Underground Tour is a showcase of three of metalcore's most exciting emerging voices. Energetic, unpredictable, and refreshingly authentic, it feels less like a traditional package tour and more like a Cerberus-sized statement from the genre's next generation.
Beyond the performances themselves, what stands out most is the genuine connection these bands maintain with their audiences. From the first breakdown of the night to conversations at the merch table afterward, each group carries a humility that makes their success easy to root for. These are your underdogs and if this tour is any indication of where these artists are headed, the underground won't be holding them for much longer.
For now, the hounds are still barking from below, make sure you catch them before they break through the gates.
