On Sat., Sept. 27 alt-metal artist From Ashes to New shook The Observatory in Santa Ana, Calif. to support their new single “New Disease.” The five-piece features two vocalists–Matt Brandyberry, who performs most of the group’s rap vocals, and Danny Case, who performs most of the group’s sung vocals–and both rap and rock musical influences from artists like Eminem, Alexisonfire, Glassjaw, Pantera, and Breaking Benjamin.
According to Brandyberry, their latest track “New Disease” focuses on the deadening effects of seeking constant attention.
“Every day there’s a new trend,” vocalist Matt Brandyberry remarked upon the track’s release. “Every day there’s a new wave of people going out of their way to be recognized no matter the cost.”
Brandyberry’s remark about “New Disease” comes after the end of the band’s previous tour, Blackout Tour Pt. 2, that showed members persevering through various stress factors.
“Before I came out here I freaked out on my band because I’m frustrated. Life is really hard right now and I took it out on them,” Brandyberry remarked at their Blackout Tour Pt. 2 show at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, Pa. on May 19, 2024. “I feel really bad for doing it… My goal is to make sure we unite people… That even though we are going through hard times in life… that there is stuff we agree on… When we come in here we’re a family.”
From Ashes to New’s performance at The Observatory on their current New Disease Tour showed the band building on that sentiment of perseverance and community. In-between songs Brandyberry paused to give his standard speeches to awaiting fans, sharing anecdotes and snippets of validation.
“We come through those doors and you know what we are? We’re a family,” Brandyberry said, looking across the Santa Ana crowd after the band’s performance of “My Fight.” “It’s funny because Lance [Dowdle, lead guitarist,] said to me the other day that my talks are like TEDTalks–but from the other angle. TEDTalks are all about being positive and uplifting, but my talks are a little darker than that… I can’t look at you and say, ‘Hey, you’re in a tough spot right now, but you’re going to get through it’ because you’re going to look at me and say, ‘You have no idea what the fuck I’m going through right now’… I got demons that I battle day in and day out. It’s real… I listened back to our songs, and I go, ‘Holy shit, these are dark,’ but then I read your comments and I see your posts and I see you singing along. You’re out there killing the same exact demons that I’m killing right now.”
In addition to heartfelt speeches, From Ashes to New encouraged fans to safely put their emotions and energy into each song performance–dancing, jumping, and waving cellphone lights.
“We’ve had a lot of shows so far and half the time I see a [mosh] pit, I’m like, ‘Somebody’s gonna get hurt,’” Brandyberry said before the band launched into “Barely Breathing.” “But this pit takes care of its own. You guys are going harder than anyone I’ve ever seen and you’re taking care of your people… Tonight let’s put our cell phones out, light up the sky… Then I’m going to need to see some jumping.”
Preceding From Ashes to New at The Observatory was a full bill of three artists–Magnolia Park, Until I Wake, and Not Enough Space. Each artist shared a collection of similar style influences–whether emo, metal, or post-hardcore–and philosophies about music’s importance for persisting through mental and personal struggles.
For instance, Magnolia Park, a five-piece metalcore act, performed songs from their latest LP, a creative concept album set in a futuristic setting called the Nocturne Nexus. Sporting a Billie Eilish shirt, lead vocalist Joshua Roberts led the audience in waving and jumping to their new tracks like “Crave” and “Shallow” and past tracks like “Misfits” and “Do or Die.” Embedded in the band’s music is also an emphasis on inclusivity and mental health.
“We want to do more to champion the causes that are important to us,” guitarist Freddie Criales noted in a 2022 interview, “Mental health is the biggest one, but whether it’s that, homelessness or the further spreading of inclusivity and acceptance, getting those messages out there is the main thing. The big vision for Magnolia Park has always been to create positive change.”
Roberts noted, too, in a 2022 interview, that it is important for the music scene to welcome greater diversity of artists, including groups that value Black, Latinx, and Indigenous band members.
“We had a few gatekeepers out there who were saying, ‘Oh go back to your style of music’ and stuff like that,” Roberts said. “We don’t let it get to us. We just look at it as an opportunity to change people’s minds about how POC [people of color] are viewed in general.”
Until I Wake, a four-piece melodic hardcore group also showed off their energy performing their tracks like “Octane” and “Inside My Head” that speak to themes of addiction and mental health.
“I use the experiences I’ve had,” lead singer Cody Jamison noted in a 2023 interview, “But I also draw from other people’s perspectives when I write about addiction.”
Not Enough Space, a five-piece melodic hardcore act, too, screamed out their anthems like “Solace in Silence” and “Primitive” about themes like grief and suicide.
“[The song ‘Solace in Silence’ was written] to describe the impact of mental health struggles and suicide on families and loved ones,” the band explained in an interview earlier this year. “It also explores how alcoholism can complicate the grieving process after losing someone to suicide. It’s a song that hits super close to home for us as a band.”
Ending one of his speeches to the Santa Ana crowd, Brandyberry tried to sum up what each band emphasized throughout their performances that night–the value of giving people a space to process their mental health struggles and darkest moments through reflective lyrics and the intense energy of live music.
“This is the most beautiful part of my life, besides my children,” Brandyberry said. “I love you for being here and experiencing this with us tonight… I encourage each and every one of you to truly be yourselves in this room tonight.”
