Images: August Burns Red, ’68, A Fight At Daybreak, Before Giants, Keepsake June 18, 2015 at Hard Rock Live

When the Warped Tour announced its 2015 dates I was more than a little bummed that Vegas would not be hosting the tour this year. But that mild frustration turned to full blown anger when I found out that two of my favorite heavy bands, August Burns Red and ‘68, were spending time on the tour I was going to miss out on.

So I couldn’t have been happier when the bands announced an off-date appearance in Vegas. And hey, it was in the air-conditioned Hard Rock Live and the bands got longer sets, so score one for us!

August Burns Red is one of the best bands going in the popular metalcore scene, which is an opinion I’ve held since first shooting them at the House of Blues a few years ago. These guys play polished, pro metalcore and they know how to put on a stage show. The lights were flashing and the guys were shredding. Their music is technical, which appeals to a guitar-head like me, but you can pit to it really easily, which the crowd was more than happy to participate in.

The band’s strongest quality is probably the way the lyrics can stay so positive while the music remains as punishing as ever. When frontman Jake Luhrs screams “Together we’ll get through this. Stand here with me, and we’ll wash it all away” on “Front Line,” from 2013’s Rescue & Restore, his passion makes you believe it.

But as much as I like ABR, it was really ‘68 I was here to see. For those that don’t know, ‘68 is the latest project from Josh Scogin, who was in hardcore bands Norma Jean and The Chariot.

Compared to past projects, ‘68 has a more traditional rock feel, like if The Chariot had a baby with Black Keys and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Scrogin has so much soul in his voice and can so effortlessly go from wailing like a classic rock god and screaming like the hardcore frontman I’ve watched for years. And drummer Michael McClellan adds just enough flourish to his playing as to keep it interesting but not distract from Scrogin’s playing.

This is going to sound crazy, but ‘68’s set felt like a spiritual awakening. It was a live show like I have never seen before. If you’ve only listened to their recorded material – you’re missing out. This is a band that truly shines on stage, putting on one of the best live performances I have ever seen.

‘68 closed with the first song I ever heard from them – “Three is a Crowd,” with Scrogin channeling Cobain with his vocals. Strangely, this was the only band no one really pitted to. The crowd would go bonkers just a few minutes later during ABR but a slight headbang was all anyone could muster. The band took it in stride, smirking through a performance that could be just for them.

Keepsake was my favorite of the three Vegas locals who warmed up the show, with a visceral sound reminiscent of early Shai Hulud and Stretch Armstrong. The drummer Juan Piña is a beast on the kit and was a pleasure to watch. Vocalist Justin Houle was great on stage, and his voice reminded me a lot of one of my favorite singers, Derek Archambault of Defeater.

Before Giants had lots going on, with heavy and clean vocals and an eight string guitar. Playing an eight string is pretty impressive, but I was less enthused by their use of backing tracks with background vocals in them and electronic keyboard parts. Just not really my thing.

As for A Fight at Daybreak, I liked their vocals a ton and they had some solid guitar work. My only complaint is their lack of stage presence! Maybe they were nervous at playing a show with a band that clearly inspired their heavy sound, but I do see a lot of potential.

-Tyler Newton | http://500px.com/spottedlens

Keepsake photos by Tylor Thuirer | https://www.flickr.com/photos/thuirermedia/