4 February 2025 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone – words and pictures by Brad Fry
Four banners flew high that night, each bearing the names of traveling warriors: Inertia, Reliqa, Ocean Sleeper, and the headlining titans themselves—In Hearts Wake. This was no ordinary gathering of souls. It was a calling. A summons to those who craved fury, melody, and raw power! The Harvey Road Tavern’s doors swung open at 7pm, spilling forth a tide of eager disciples. The air was heavy with expectation, and the excitement was almost tangible. This Tuesday night in Gladstone was going to be one for the ages!
Reliqa were the first to step foot on stage, bringing their dynamic sound to eager ears! Monique Pym’s vocals were hypnotic, carrying the crowd through haunting melodies before snapping into fierce, commanding screams. All members of the band played their parts impeccably with their enthusiasm permeating the audience immediately. Their set felt theatrical—each song unfolding like a story, taking the audience deeper into their world. Reliqa won themselves some new fans and cemented existing ones tonight with their inviting stage presence and dynamic music!
Reliqa – Harvey Road Tavern – photos by Brad Fry
Inertia struck second! The Sydney quartet conjured a tempest of progressive metal, weaving intricate riffs and gut-wrenching breakdowns that pulled the crowd into their spell. They played like headliners, their energy pulling the crowd close to the stage. It didn’t take long for heads to start banging, the first few bodies pushing forward in anticipation of what was to come. Moshing was commanded and delivered as Inertia tore through their set with energy and passion!
Inertia – Harvey Road Tavern – photos by Brad Fry
Then, like a storm rolling in, Ocean Sleeper took the stage. Their raw, emotionally charged performance sent ripples through the room. Mosh pits opened as the crowd moved with the music, letting loose to the thunderous drums and crushing riffs. Clean and guttural vocals intertwined with the crowd’s voices, filling the room with a joy that only a band like Ocean Sleeper can conjure. Ever the humble quartet, Ocean Sleeper thanked the crowd for coming to support them as they promised to return to Gladstone in the future. A statement that was met with universal applause throughout the venue.
Ocean Sleeper – Harvey Road Tavern – photos by Bec Harbour
A low rumble filled the room before exploding as In Hearts Wake took the stage. From the first song to the last, the energy (from both crowd and band) never dropped. Bodies surged, voices roared lyrics back at the band, and the pit became a sea of limbs and sweat. The band fed off the energy, launching themselves across the stage with unrelenting force.
Between songs, Taylor took a moment to speak about the meaning behind some of the tracks as well as his passion for live music and its place in the world. His words obviously struck a chord with the Gladstone locals, and as the band launched into song after epic song, the room sang in unison—a cathartic experience that felt like shared oaths.
In Hearts Wake – Harvey Road Tavern – photos by Brad Fry
By the time they closed out the set, the tavern was a wreck of exhausted, elated bodies. People clutched their friends, breathless and grinning. The air was thick with something electric, something unspoken but understood by everyone who had been there. In Hearts Wake had done more than play a show—they had turned the tavern into a battlefield of sound and emotion, leaving behind a crowd that would carry the night with them long after the final note had faded. In Hearts Wake had summoned a legend.
