The Forum Melbourne became a meeting point for modern metalcore as Wage War arrived in the city on their It Calls Me By Name world tour, joined by American heavyweights Orthodox and Australia’s own Heavensgate. Across the evening, all three bands demonstrated why metalcore continues to evolve while retaining the intensity that has made it one of heavy music’s most enduring genres.

Opening the night, Heavensgate wasted little time making their presence felt. The Melbourne outfit’s blend of crushing riffs, industrial textures and contemporary metalcore provided an ideal introduction, reaffirming why they have become one of Australia’s fastest-rising heavy acts.

Kentucky’s Orthodox followed with a performance rooted firmly in hardcore’s uncompromising spirit. Their abrasive, groove-laden sound brought a different dynamic to the bill, balancing raw aggression with precision and ensuring the room was fully primed before the night’s headliners emerged.

By the time Wage War took the stage, the Forum had become a sea of movement. Since emerging from Florida with Blueprints in 2015, the band have steadily expanded their sound beyond straightforward metalcore, weaving melodic hooks and emotionally charged songwriting into a catalogue that has connected with audiences worldwide. Albums such as Stigma and the recently released EP It Calls Me By Name have continued that evolution, while singles including the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart-topper ‘Magnetic’ have demonstrated the band’s ability to balance accessibility with undeniable heaviness.

The Melbourne show also underlined the group’s reputation as a formidable live act. Built through years of touring alongside Slipknot, Architects, Parkway Drive, Papa Roach, A Day To Remember and Three Days Grace, Wage War’s performances have developed into tightly executed showcases of controlled intensity. Returning to Australia after their appearance at Knotfest 2024, they arrived with the confidence of a band continuing to refine both their sound and stagecraft.

For fans inside the Forum, this night was a snapshot of where contemporary heavy music currently stands, with established international names and emerging Australian talent sharing the same stage while pushing the genre forward in their own ways.

Check out our full gallery below for highlights from Wage War at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre.

Images by Brad Kendell.

The tour moves to Brisbane and Sydney next, tickets HERE.

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