WAGE WAR 
w/Orthodox and HEAVENSGATE
The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide, South Australia
August 1st 2026

_{Review by Kayla Hamilton}

When you see the names Wage War, Orthodox and HEAVENSGATE alone, a stank face tends to creep up. You know the face. The face you make when a disgusting breakdown hits and you can barely believe your ears are taking in such a sound. 

So imagine how it feels to get hit with them back to back. Live. Well we didn’t have to imagine, because like many other punters in Adelaide, we piled into packed out Governor Hindmarsh and nabbed a front row spot to witness this metalcore/metallic hardcore extravaganza. Also known as Wage War’s Australian tour.

The perfect Aussie act was selected to kick off this whole affair, the formidable HEAVENSGATE. Hitting Adelaide with some other big names in the past, the Melbourne band have been slowly building a strong contingent of fans in the SA Capital. A contingent that has no doubt grown since Saturday night’s set. Delivering a blistering performance of their signature melodic metallic hardcore that defies expectations on what the genre should sound like, HEAVENSGATE just seem to get tighter and tighter every time I see them. They manage to encapsulate a raw brutality inside some of the most sophisticated songwriting and production, while simultaneously having it drenched in right from the soul emotion. Their efforts onstage were rewarded early by the moshers, who were more than ready to oblige when the band asked them to show some violence. They provided the soundtrack, the moshers provided the movement and those who may have been discovering them for the first time (or keeping a safe distance) could be found at the very least offering some headbanging. Giving us tracks like ‘RAIN’, ‘Ratking’ and ‘Petrichor’, their display of stunning sonic violence is something I will always come back for more of.

They set the tone wonderfully for Orthodox, who were coming at us from Nashville, Tennessee. They first made their way down under last year supporting Stray From The Path and their return was highly anticipated. In a blistering flurry of breakdowns, pinched harmonics and some of the most hard hitting drumming out there, Orthodox ripped through the sound barrier. Frontman Adam Easterling was ferocious in his delivery and unmatched in energy. Barking orders at an eager audience, it wasn’t too long before they had the whole room in the palm of their hand. Getting the crowd surfing action going along with the mosh, the straight-edge act thundered through their set, leaving everybody a little breathless by the end. By the end of this tour, I think it’s safe to say they will well and truly have a solid following here in Australia.

After the openers, the stage undertook one of the quickest but most drastic change overs I have ever seen. Platforms, lights, cabs off the stage- it was at this point I knew we were in for a hell of a headline set from Wage War. Apparently this is their first-ever headline tour of Australia, which is wild to think with how long they’ve been around and just how many dedicated fans were in the room. Opening with ‘4×4’, the Florida natives took all the energy the first time bands dropped and took it up an even higher notch. 

The band themselves said they find it difficult to put a set list together for Australia, but judging from the fans in the room, they absolutely nailed it. Dipping between their entire discography, they even got the crowd to choose between ‘Relapse’ and ‘Who I Am’. The songs of their latest EP went over just as well as the classics, and I am speaking on behalf of everybody I talked to after the show…there were a lot of sore necks. 

One of the most captivating things about Wage War is that they are able to go from so heavy, to some more melodic and softer moments, without losing that energy. The cleans created some beautiful crowd sing-a-long moments and lead vocalist Briton Bond was able to put his full range on display, from snarls to bleurghs and just some deep as growls. Honestly, when it comes to metalcore, Wage War are able to embody the cliches without it being boring. Moments like ‘STITCH’ and ‘Manic’ switch it up. Another thing that most bands can’t get away with but they did- putting a new song in the final of the encore and still getting just as much energy back. 

They played for almost an hour and a half, which is quite unheard of for bills like this as of late. So if you have the opportunity to catch Wage War in your city- don’t hesitate, it’s well worth the dollars. 

_{Tickets for the remaining Aussie dates here.}