Poison the Well is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their landmark debut album, “The Opposite of December… A Season of Separation,” with their first tour in 15 years. Fans of the metalcore/emo band have been anxiously awaiting the jaunt since its announcement last year, with the band promising to play the album in its entirety at each show.
Poison the Well’s blend of punk, metalcore, and emo influenced countless bands and they are known for intense, energetic live shows. The tour kicked off at the beginning of the month and will travel across North America until its conclusion at the end of the month in Toronto, Canada. Joining the band for the journey are emo/post hardcore rockers Glassjaw, hardcore band Better Lovers, and LA shoegaze rockers Teenage Wrist.
As I navigated my way through a crowd adorned in post-hardcore t-shirts and eventually joined a group of elder millennials, we exchanged sheepish introductions and fondly recalled the golden days of Southern California’s hardcore scene.
Before long, the lights dimmed, and the first act of the night, Teenage Wrist, made their way onto the stage. Hailing from LA, Teenage Wrist pulls inspiration from the alternative rock and grunge sounds of the 1990s. The quartet consists of Anthony Salazar on drums, Marshall Gallagher on guitar and vocals, with bassist Jose Trujillo and drummer Jordan Kulp rounding out the group.
Photo by Steve Rose / Hollywood Palladium
We were enveloped in a rich tapestry of music, with thick, Smashing Pumpkins-like guitar riffs. The vocal melodies, reminiscent of late ‘90s post-grunge, brought an involuntary, blissful grin to my face. Highlights included “Sunshine,” featuring a guitar riff that blended the joyous elements of “Siamese Dream” with the upbeat energy of a Feeder album; the pulsating “Earth is a Black Hole” from their titular album; and the stunning “Cigarette Two-Step,” which featured David Morian from Fear Before the March of Flames, one of the most pivotal bands in the post-hardcore/screamo genre.
Trujillo’s thunderous, rhythmic bass infused the tracks with an unexpected strength, perfectly complementing Gallagher’s sincere and crisp vocals. The percussion was striking, elevating the guitars and bass while punctuating the intricately crafted songs like “Stella” and “Silverspoon.”
Photo by Steve Rose / Hollywood Palladium
This band radiated joy – pure, unfiltered, guitar-driven joy. We witnessed these four musicians delve into their sound, demonstrating to the audience why we should eagerly anticipate their upcoming releases.
After Teenage Wrist, Better Lovers took the spotlight. This group is the hardcore equivalent of The Avengers. The hardcore supergroup features former Dillinger Escape Plan front-man Greg Puciato; ex-members of Every Time I Die, Jordan Buckley, Clayton “Goose” Holyoak, and Stephen Micciche; and guitarist Will Putney from Fit for an Autopsy.
With the explosive opening of “Lie Between the Lines,” Greg Puciato unleashed a torrent of vocal intensity, seamlessly guiding the band into the adrenaline-fueled desert-rock anthem “White Horse Covered in Blood.” Better Lovers delivered a more powerful live performance than their polished studio tracks might imply.
Photo by Steve Rose / Hollywood Palladium
Tracks like “Drowning in a Burning World” highlighted the chaotic guitar prowess of Buckley and Putney, merging into a swirling mass of sound. Meanwhile, Goose played the drums with an almost frenzied energy on “Future Myopia,” creating what could only be described as an auditory ambush. His drumming also crafted rhythmic pockets, allowing the bass to frolic playfully in “At All Times.” As they powered through a high-octane set that included “Sacrificial Participant” and “Love as an Act of Rebellion,” it became clear by the final song that they were more than the sum of their parts.
Next up was Glassjaw with front-man Daryl Palumbo and guitarist Justin Beck, alongside Chad Hasty on drums and Cody Hosza on bass, solidifying the rhythm section. Their early recordings prominently feature elements of the late 1980’s youth crew hardcore style, with Youth of Today recognized as a significant influence. Glassjaw has drawn inspiration from various bands, including Bad Brains, Squeeze, Sick of It All, Faith No More, Anthrax, The Cure, and Fugazi.
Photo by Steve Rose / Hollywood Palladium
When Palumbo and the band finally stepped onto the stage, they brought forth their characteristic fervor, kicking off with “Cut and Run,” with its bridge that echoed ‘80s hair metal. Bathed in the blazing stage lights, they delivered a blistering and precise performance of “Tip Your Bartender.”
With Beck’s heavy guitar riffs and Palumbo’s commanding, yet impressively controlled vocals, Glassjaw powered through a frenetic first half of their set. By the time they reached the intense and swirling “Pink Roses,” I was astounded by their ability to maintain such high energy and pace. Hasty exhibited exceptional skill in managing the tempo, skillfully navigating the often dissonant guitar into intricate jazzy rhythms.
After the crowd-assisted “Ape Dos Mil,” the show surged, racing toward its destination. We were immersed in the sharp rhythms of “The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports” and the fierce, jagged riffs of “Harlem.” Hosza’s thunderous bass created the powerful foundation of “Shir,” the type of tone you can feel in your chest.
Photo by Steve Rose / Hollywood Palladium
Glassjaw concluded their set with an extraordinary rendition of “Siberian Kiss.” The soaring vocal melodies in the chorus delivered a profound release to the tension built by the instrumentation, a feat only Palumbo’s voice could achieve. Savage, beautiful, and deeply emotional, Glassjaw remains as vital as ever.
Finally, it was time. Poison the Well – which consists of guitarists Vadim Taver and Ryan Primack, Jeff Moreira on vocals, Chris Hornbrook on drums, and bassist Noah Harmon – were ready to honor the release of their landmark album.
I cannot overstate how important “The Opposite of December” is and was. The sharp and choppy drum and guitar introduction that kicks off the album’s first track, “12/23/93,” has been imitated by nearly every band from that era. The transition into a clear, heartfelt, melodic vocal line has become almost a trope of the genre. The album set an incredibly high standard, propelling the metalcore genre into a new era. Adding Moreira on vocals, with his exceptional lyrical style, enhances what was already a remarkable convergence of talented young musicians changing the game..”
Photo by Steve Rose / Hollywood Palladium
PTW kicked off its performance with a powerful rendition of “12/23/93,” establishing dominance right from the start. What followed was an impressive exhibition of metalcore strength. Half of the robust 18-song lineup was drawn from “The Opposite of December,” featuring standout tracks like “Wish For Wings that Work,” “Slice Paper Wrist,” and the particularly fierce “To Mandate Heaven.”
Moreira commanded the stage, delivering the introspective lyrics that Poison the Well is celebrated for, seamlessly switching between his furious screams and soothing clean vocals. The audience was also treated to other fan favorites from their esteemed catalog. The aggressive “Ghostchant” left a lasting impact as the poignant lines “But…I adore her/This will never happen” echoed throughout the packed venue, anticipation built for the tightly controlled chaos of “Botchla.” They delivered it.
Photo by Steve Rose / Hollywood Palladium
At the midpoint of their set, they introduced “Trembling Level,” their first new song in 15 years. The track features harmonies that cut through heavy riffs while Moreira’s fervent screams navigate its complex arrangement.
It culminates in a powerful breakdown, highlighted by the haunting line: “Don’t you let the silhouettes lead you to the ocean floor.” Drummer Hornbrook delivered an outstanding performance during this piece.
Photo by Steve Rose / Hollywood Palladium
As the band concluded their set with classics “For a Bandaged Iris,” “Apathy is a Cold Body,” and “My Mirror No Longer Reflects,” the captivated crowd sang along to every word.
Poison the Well provided us with a blistering justification of their status as the arguable fathers of metalcore.
Photo by Steve Rose / Hollywood Palladium
For a few hours on a Friday night in LA, we all felt youthful and alive with sound and energy once more.
If you’re a fan of metalcore or post-hardcore, this is a show you won’t want to miss.
