As many of us sadly know, The Fall of Troy have broken up, and have just ended their last tour. Their last show was performed in New Haven, Connecticut with Envy on The Coast and Twin Atlantic. I had the pleasure of photographing this show, although I was not asked to upon any press request. The Fall of Troy was the first band I got into that had any screaming in their music, and led to my interest in listening to more experimental screamo.

Envy on The Coast was set to headline this whole tour, except for this night being The Fall of Troy’s last, TFOT was made the headlining band with 2 hours of stage time as well! The show had gone on from about 6:30 to 11:30 at night, with just three bands!

I had my equipment on me and the venue’s toleration on SLR camera was fair. So here are a few photographs of their last performance ever.

Many adoring fans purchased Jager Bombs as requested by lead singer Thomas Erak for each band member, so everyone had been partying hardy that night. Unfortunately there was no moshing, crowd surfing allowed in the venue their last performance was in, but security ended up being lenient on crowd surfing… as long as anyone who was crowd surfing to the stage jumped back off into the crowd and got carried back.

I myself got into the madness, throwing myself around in the crowd, and moshing occasionally here and there. Lovely jab in my eye, punch to my nose and back of the head I might add. But I can’t say I didn’t punch someone in the nose as well, who is actually now considered a good friend, haha. I had stashed my equipment at the side of the stage to go moshing to one of the best bands to have ever banded.

Anyone who’s ever been to “Skelletones” will know this place. It is now called the Mixtape Cafe and it hasn’t gotten any bigger. The venue itself is like a large garage. For the band on stage, their heads are almost reaching the basement-like ceiling. It does make for an extremely packed sweaty ball of human mob, but you are also that much “closer” to the people that you are surrounded by. With mosh pits of very excited, slippery kids ranging in age anywhere from ten to thirty years of age, when you fall down, they are all there to help you back up. Everyone becomes somewhat friends for the few hours they spend together. The sound is a little rougher given the basement style of the room, but it gets the point out none the less.

…Okay then, on to the show!

Broadway was the first band to play. They immediately proved to be no rookies with their way of making an introduction. Everyone seemed very excited that they were there and right from the start, they all seemed to vibe well. All of a sudden, a massive breakdown slaps us in the face and already people are moshing around. An awesome breakdown, combined with an energizing full band “super head bang”. Misha is letting it all out, screaming their way into “You Gotta Love That Southern Charm”. The Show was already off to a good start. After a few minutes we realize that the guitar seemed a little one sided. I look over and see that Jack is having problems with his amplifier. It seems the venue had some shoddy connections. But Broadway pushed through, allowing time between songs for the problem to be resolved. They did an amazing job of continuing on without sounding awkward at all, or even showing their disappointment for the situation. Jack turns around with a big smile on his face as he lets out a few chugs to show us he is back in the game and, at a loss of one song, Broadway finishes out with the epic “We Are Paramount”. I got the chance to speak with Misha about the set, and talk about how he would tear through some of the singing parts with screams instead, and how it really made the vibe of the show a lot stronger. Misha explained to me, loosely quoting, “When we play live, we make it live. Nobody comes to hear the album all over again, they want something new, and that’s what we try to deliver.” Broadway really did a great job, and delivered a very strong first impression for me and anyone who was watching for the first time. I would go back to see them again, any day.

Burden of a Day was the next band to set up. I’ve seen these guys once before at the Rise Records tour, when at the time I haven’t heard much from them, and they STILL managed to rock my world. Well this time around, I brushed up on their older stuff, and got a hold of “oneonethousand”, their newest album. Armed and ready, we jump right into the first track on the new record, “Remember”. Burden of a Day is a perfect blend of screaming, singing, and full band chanting! “THEY CHASED US TO THE END OF THE DOOOOOOOOCK!!!” The crowd starts getting rowdy as soon as they start. With flawless technique, BOD gives us the best of “oneonethousand”. Although, not straying too far from the sound of the album, by not changing too many vocals. But, to me its all the same. Taking into consideration that the album takes months to record, at total perfection. To hit all of the high notes, and hold the longest screams. To do these things live, in a hot and humid room while rough housing around all over the stage is no easy task, so for BOD to pull it off is a statement that shows the bands skill, and ability to work as a team. The band teases us with the “one more song” bit giving us the amazing “Sly Foxes”. This song was amazing! Then going right into the “surprise” encore, the crowd pleaser, “Battle For Hoth”! With the crowd chanting, “Because we are the lost boys forever in Neverland! Would you be our leader (be our leader) and take me by the hand?!” Burden of a Day brings us to a close and the end of, yet another, fantastic show.

I See Stars. The band is from Michigan so I believe that this played a big part in the energy of the crowd. After taking quite possibly the longest setup of ALL TIME they are finally ready to play. Now I don’t know this band as well as I do some of the others in the lineup, but I know my fair share. I also know that the band’s singer can belt out some of the most epic screams that I’ve ever heard. I was really looking forward to some moshing during some of their amazing breakdowns. Opening with the synth intro to “Save the Cheerleader” and really going face first into the song, Chris immediately starts ripping into the crowd as you see the wave of 15 year old girls AND boys rush toward the stage. I See Stars really delivered a surprisingly strong, very professional show, as if they’ve been doing it for 30 years! A great high point for me was when they did the poppy song, “3D”. It was obviously a crowd favorite. I love this song for the breakdown. This song rocks my socks off, every time I hear the breakdown. It was truly a pleasure to hear live. Obviously this song warrants a huge mosh pit.

*brb moshing*

All in all, I See Stars is a show that promises a great time! I recommend them to anyone who wants to take advantage of a great pit, to a great breakdown.

In Fear and Faith was the next band chosen by the gods to play this, already amazing, show. Starting off with “Pirates: The Sequel” we see they already know what we want to hear. This song invokes a different kind of pit, with a different kind of vibe. More of a full out rush to the stage, hands in the air, make your way to the stage even if you smash the forty people in front of you. Screaming the words, “PIRATE’S LIFE FOR ME!!!” It was like being surrounded by a boarding party of pirates eager to take over a ship of their own! IFAF continued playing songs to please the crowd. Spilling musical genius into our ears with songs like, “Your World On Fire”, “Strength In Numbers” (sans Jeremy McKinnon) and “The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions” (Also without the guest singer Craig Owens, obviously). The guys tell us that their next song is not a song off of their old album. Nor is it a song off of their new album. That we “don’t know what it is”. They tell us it’s a cover. As people start cheering and getting excited because they ALL know whats coming. To our everlasting satisfaction, In Fear and Faith brings to our ear holes, “Gangster’s Paradise”. A much anticipated performance for me. Perfect. This song leaves no one disappointed. Screaming “POWER AND THE MONEY, MONEY AND THE POWER, MINUTE AFTER MINUTE, HOUR AFTER HOUR. EVERYBODY’S RUNNING, BUT HALF OF THEM AIN’T LOOKING WHATS GOING ON IN THE KITCHEN, BUT I DON’T KNOW WHATS COOKING!!!”. The show has just reached a new high! The band then finishes strong with another fan favorite, “Live Love Die”. In Fear and Faith is another band that I had to prepare myself for before going to this show. I was a huge fan of the “Pirate Songs” and kind of “skimmed” through the rest. But, nevertheless a band that I looked forward to a great deal. Delivering the very strong, powerful and energy-filled performance I expected to get.

Our Last Night, was the band to follow up In Fear and Faith. However, this is the time we took the opportunity to get an interview with the band, Broadway. I don’t know much of Our Last Night at all, but from what I caught from the end of the show they seemed to have the crowd’s attention, and definitely giving them a great show. Really giving an energetic performance that I was disappointed to have missed. Look for the Broadway interview in the Inter-views section soon!

Finally, we are graced with the presence of Emarosa. I’ve seen Emarosa a few times. This performance was definitely the best so far. The first time, Jonny Craig was fresh to the band, and having released only two new demos on their MySpace at the time, Jonny was put in the position to sing the older material which contains a lot of screaming. Which considering Jonny’s musical history is something relatively different to his style. This time, Emarosa entered in a very original way. There was a sample track playing, as Lukas comes to the stage. Repeating the same drum beat over and over. Then ER comes to the stage, and starts adding his guitar, then Jonas with guitar, then Jordan on keys, and Will on bass, playing into an intro to “Set It Off Like Napalm” where Jonny makes his entrance and just starts his amazing vocalization at the beginning of the song and “OUT OF PLACE!!! PUT HIM DOWN!!!”. We realize what we came to see after all. Jonny displaying his awesome stage presence, grabbing at the outreached hands in his face. I admit, I was belting out some tones myself. Jonny put the mic out to me a few times. It was a very cool experience for me. Jonny did seem to have some issues with the way the monitors were set up. Claiming he couldn’t hear himself and clearly getting aggravated with that fact. The sound guy seemed as if there was nothing he could do about it since he said they were on and turned up just as much as they have been previously. Jonny promises the crowd 2 more songs since “we can’t hear him”, which nobody was going to argue with since we could all hear fine, and wanted more anyway. The crowd really seemed to favor Emarosa during their performance. It seemed as if everyone knew the words, and was belting them out with everything they had. Emarosa was really taking this show out with a bang! They played all the favorites, “What’s A Clock Without The Batteries?”, “The Past Should Stay Dead”, “Heads or Tails? Real or Not” And “Just Another Marionette”. Jonny then announces to us that they’re last song will be an old favorite. A song called “Casablanca”. And that his friend Kyle from Burden of a Day, would be joining him to take over the screaming sections. Obviously, this is a great idea! We all get to hear an old headbanger, with one of our favorite guys of the night guest screaming for them! YES!! So, once again, Kyle flawlessly delivers to us the screams that we all want from the song, while Jonny carries us through the melodies with his amazing cords. Emarosa brings to a head what has truly been an amazing night, and epic show.

The tour is nearly over, so I suggest that you go see this tour if you get the chance. It’s worth 10 times the $13 (Online) or $15 (at show) cost to see.

Get tickets for this tour at www.fusionshows.com
Also check out www.thearteryfoundation.com for more information.

I hope you enjoyed the show review of The “Artery Foundation: Across the Nation Tour”. It has been a pleasure. Be sure to check out the Broadway interview that will be posted in theInter-views section shortly!!

Show Review by: Josh B

Bands’ MySpaces:

Broadway

Burden Of A Day

I See Stars

In Fear And Faith

Our Last Night

Emarosa