Review: Joshua Hobbins
Photography: Nate Rose
Brisbane’s Tivoli was packed to the rafters tonight as Stray From The Path kicked off their final Australian tour. The air buzzed with anticipation, not just for the headliners, but for a stacked line up of supports that showed exactly how diverse and exciting the heavy music landscape is in 2025.
Local favourites Zuko came out swinging, bringing big energy from the very first note. New track Stand for Nothing lit a fire under the pit, loosening up the crowd early and proving why the band’s stock has been steadily rising. The turnout was impressive for the early start, and Zuko made it worth everyone’s while. Venom stood tall as a set highlight — brutal, sharp, and a clear sign they’re doing sick things right now.
Diamond Construct followed with a set that was pure nu-metal revival with an industrial edge. Enigma showcased front man Kynan Groundwater’s impressive range, while Hit It Back had the Tivoli bouncing hard. Faded carried Mudvayne vibes, with its twisted vocal delivery and enormous mix. They closed with Animus and Psychosis, heavier cuts that stripped back the nu-metal sheen and leaned into straight-up brutality.
Next up, Orthodox, from Nashville, Tennessee, hit the stage for their first ever show outside North America. Walking out to Dean Martin’s “The Door is Still Open to My Heart,” they delivered a set that was commanding from start to finish. Sacred Place opened the floodgates, drummer Mike White laying down grooves so tight they anchored every shift in tempo. Front man Adam Easterling stalked the stage, engaging directly with the crowd and giving props to Stray From The Path, the supports, and even a shout-out to Gold Coast band Blind Girls.
With Godless Grace and a string of other crushing tracks from their latest LP, A Door Left Open, Orthodox shifted seamlessly from massive grooves to two-step stomps, blast beats, and savage chug-downs. Cave In closed the set with bone-breaking force, with the band exiting to Bruno Mars’ “Leave the Door Open.” As the final note rang out, fans surged straight to the merch desk, the line stretching back past the sound desk, a testament to just how commanding Orthodox’s performance was. Keen to see them hopefully come back on a headline run real soon!
And then came the main event. From Long Island, New York, Stray From The Path stepped on stage with the confidence of a band who know exactly who they are, and why they matter
Kubrick Stare set the tone immediately, with the entire crowd screaming “What the fuck is this?” alongside front man Andrew Dijorio. For a four-piece, the sound was absolutely massive. Needful Things brought old-school bounce, anchored by the air-tight rhythm section of bassist Anthony Altamura and drummer Craig Reynolds, while guitarist Tom Williams wove intricate noise and effects textures over the top.
When Dijorio ordered us to raise our hands during May You Live Forever, the crowd obeyed without hesitation. Chest Candy, Can’t Help Myself, and III kept the energy flowing before Goodnight Alt-Right sent the room into bedlam, with hundreds of voices shouting “You just got knocked the fuck out!” in unison.
Fortune Teller brought the heaviest breakdown of the night, before Clockworked — the title track from their 11th and final album — gave us a defining Stray moment. Dijorio praised the venue security, then challenged the Brisbane crowd to hit 50 crowd surfs before the end of the set. The pit didn’t hesitate, and the security crew worked overtime to keep up.
Guillotine (with its venomous “Off with your fucking head!”) and First World Problem Child closed the show with unapologetic fury. For nearly two decades, Stray From The Path have stood against hypocrisy, corruption, racism, sexism, police brutality, fascism, and injustice. Tonight, as Brisbane raised fists and voices one final time, it was clear their message will outlast their touring career. Their music may stop onstage, but their legacy of defiance and truth will live on, carried by the next generation of hardcore bands and fans.
– GALLERY –
