8 September 2024 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast – words and pictures by Luke Petty
The sun was still shining brightly across the Miami Marketta as a growing crowd of eager fans gathered. The line stretched long, a testament to the excitement surrounding the show we were about to witness. Gold Coast treated to a very special evening with Descent and the almighty Killswitch Engage. Gracing us with 25 years of brilliance and now here to celebrate with a sideshow on their supporting tour for Iron Maiden. We were in for an incredible night.
Descent took the stage. A whirlwind of chaos descended you could say upon the crowd as the Brisbane-based death metal band launched into their opening track, ‘Safe’. The crowd, a mix of seasoned fans and curious newcomers, was instantly swept up in a tidal wave of sound. The band’s relentless energy was undeniable, captivating the audience with a brutal blend of crushing riffs, bone-shattering blast beats, and Ant Oliver’s guttural vocals. The band’s stage presence was equally impressive, with each member feeding off the energy of the crowd. Finishing off with ‘Resolve’, Descent were a great fit to open for this show and set the mood perfectly for what was to come.
Descent – Miami Marketta – photos by Luke Petty
Forget your Sunday stroll, this wasn’t your average afternoon! The aroma of sizzling food hung heavy in the air at Miami Marketta as a vibrant crowd, fueled by frosty beers, buzzed with anticipation and all wearing trademark black. Us reviewers could barely hear ourselves think over the rising tide of excitement and roaring crowd ready for what was about to come.
Suddenly, the first chords of ‘My Curse’ ripped through the venue, igniting a frenzy in the mosh pit. Frontrunner Jesse Leach wasted no time, diving headfirst into the crowd. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a full-blown metal party with a raw, local energy.
The Killswitch boys brought the heat! Adam Dutkiewicz wearing a hilarious outfit as per usual which screamed rock and roll royalty in my eyes, absolutely owned the stage. His banter with the crowd is always a highlight. Warning the whole venue to not touch Adam’s beer got a rise out of the crowd as everyone raised their own in salute.
Killswitch Engage – Miami Marketta – photos by Luke Petty
The 18 song setlist was huge. Chock full of their absolute hits from their 25 incredible years of being a band that every one loves to sing along to. ‘Arms Of Sorrow’ and ‘In Due Time’ had the crowd really moving. Jesse still has the ability to own the frontman position. I know fans always compare the difference to former member Howard Jones but honestly Jesse started Killswitch from the beginning and has always pumped out the best vocals for the songs originally produce with Jones on vocals. Leach announcing to the crowd that sold out arenas with Iron Maiden are cool but nothing on small venues like this. This is their culture and where they come from so they absolutely love it here.
Killswitch Engage – Miami Marketta – photos by Luke Petty
Things really got heated when they started the run to the end of the set with 4 of their most amazing songs. ‘Rose of Sharyn’, ‘Strength of the Mind’, ‘This is Absolution’ and ‘End of Heartache’ which always gets the crowd going. Singing along to every word as one as the they were sent into static overdrive. Unlike the usual encore charade, Killswitch kept the energy pumping, taking a brief intermission before diving back in for a blistering rendition of ‘My Last Serenade’ and coming to a close with ‘Holy Diver’. As Jesse led the crowd in a heartfelt tribute to Ronnie James Dio, the iconic opening riff transported us all to a realm of epic metal storytelling. It was a moment etched in memory forever.
Killswitch Engage – Miami Marketta – photos by Luke Petty
It felt very odd leaving a metal gig before 8pm but for some this is a real pleasant feeling and personally could attract bigger crowds in future. It marked a potential turning point – the birth of a new metal haven on the Gold Coast. Did Killswitch Engage just ignite a fire for international bands to grace this venue? With a performance as electrifying as this, one thing’s for sure. Gold Coast wants more.
