Welcome to the Swamp: Wage War in Anaheim
The House of Blues Anaheim was transformed into the swamps of Florida as Wage War unleashed a sensory assault that was equal parts brutal and exhilarating. Fresh off their EP ‘It Calls Me By Name’, the band performed the release in full while weaving in some of their heaviest tracks and fan favourites.
Kicking off the death roll, Orthodox wasted no time establishing the night’s intensity. Their blend of metalcore and hardcore hit with punishing force, led by the layered aggression of vocalist Adam Easterling. From the first breakdown, the crowd responded in kind with moshing erupted instantly, crowdsurfers flooded the barricade and security was pushed into overdrive. Though their set was brief, its impact lingered. The raw unfiltered aggression and crushing breakdowns set the tone perfectly aligning with the heavier edge of the night’s headliner.
Next up Nevertel carried that momentum forward with a more melodic genre-blending approach. Opening with ‘Break the Silence’, their collaboration with Sleep Theory immediately had the crowd bouncing. The dual vocal dynamic between Jeremy Michael and Raul Lopez created an infectious push and pull of melodic hooks paired with rapid-fire rap sections that the audience eagerly shouted back.
The live debut of ‘Otherside’ sent the room into a frenzy, with moshing and crowdsurfing surging once again. Their fusion of electronic textures, hyperpop synths, and crushing breakdowns translated seamlessly to the stage. Tracks like ‘Losing Faith’, ‘Sacrifice’ and ‘Modified’ catered to both newer listeners and longtime fans. Closing with ‘Criminal’, the band ignited a second wind in the crowd, priming the room for the chaos still to come.
As anticipation peaked, the venue shifted atmospheres entirely. Swamp sounds echoed through the room while narrated alligator facts played overhead. A red hue washed over the crowd as the stage revealed a swamp outpost aesthetic, complete with fishing gear and rustic set pieces. Strobe lights flickered, disorienting the audience just before the feeding frenzy began.
‘4x4’ launched Wage War’s set with immediate devastation. The floor split open into a massive circle pit, fueled by pure aggression. Vocalist Briton Bond delivered a commanding performance, his growls cutting through the chaos with precision and power; an undeniable reminder of why he stands among the genre’s elite.
The setlist allowed for little rest. ‘Alive’, ‘NAIL5’ and ‘Karma’ followed in rapid succession, making it clear that no corner of the venue was safe. A standout interactive moment came when the band let the crowd choose between ‘Relapse’ and ‘Who I Am’, with ‘Relapse’ winning by a landslide.
The back to back run of ‘Tombstone’, ‘Teeth’ and ‘Purify’ pushed the energy to its peak. The pit became a full-on battleground, bodies colliding, crowdsurfers pouring over the barricade and ‘Purify’ escalating into a near deathcore level frenzy of windmills and airborne chaos.
Closing with ‘Blindfold’ and ‘Song of the Swamp’ the band delivered an explosive finale. Crowdsurfers “death rolled” across the audience, moshers snapped at each other in a primal display of dominance, and the entire venue felt submerged in the murky depths of Wage War’s sonic swamp.
‘It Calls Me By Name’ Tour is a relentless combination of high energy fun and crushing aggression from start to finish. If this show proved anything, it’s that Wage War isn't just playing shows….they’re pulling entire crowds into their jaws of unfiltered overpowering aggression. Step into the swamp at your own risk.
