Between the Buried and Me delivers an epic show at New Jersey's Starland Ballroom
REVIEW BY AMBER BINTLIFF
Between the Buried and Me have become one of the most prominent acts in progressive metal and heavy music since their 2002 self-titled debut. After recently releasing their 11th studio album The Blue Nowhere, the band set out on a North American co-headlining run with Hail The Sun earlier this fall. The two groups lit up Starland Ballroom with a night full of electrifying, epic performances on September 23rd.
UK-based math rock group Delta Sleep kicked off the night. While this isn’t typically my usual genre, I found myself really enjoying their music and watching them on stage. The venue was decently packed in time for their set and I even caught a glimpse of multiple people singing along to each song. It’s always nice to see a city show up for an opener and Sayreville was loving everything that Delta Sleep had to offer. The band’s frontman Devin Yüceil even joked, “What’s up New Jersey, we’re IHOP!” as they commenced their set (shoutout the infamous Starland Ballroom IHOP ad that’s in rotation at every show!).
Hail The Sun soon followed and the energy in the room completely shifted. Everyone in the crowd went crazy the second that the very first notes of “The Drooling Sun” came through the speakers. Originating from California in 2009, the post-hardcore five piece has made their mark on the scene with their extensive discography and captivating live presence.
I was hooked for their entire set, from frontman Donovan Melero bouncing around stage with his mic stand high in the air to somehow ending up behind drummer Allen Casillas at the bar as Melero came alive behind the drum kit for a few songs.I’ve been obsessed with Hail The Sun all summer and it was awesome to finally hear some of my favorite tracks of theirs live, especially “Maladapted.” Their new record cut. turn. fade. back. releases on October 24th and I could not be more excited.
Before Between the Buried and Me finally took the stage, the crowd affectionately kept chanting “BTBAM!” in anticipation. It was heart-warming to see the variance in age across the venue and watch the shared excitement from the barricade to the very back of Starland. Once the lights dimmed and the group began with “Disease, Injury, Madness,” the audience roared and a gigantic mosh pit quickly opened up.
There’s a reason Between the Buried and Me have become such a staple name in progressive metal and heavy music over the last two decades. The band’s raw passion for their craft and the way they articulate that on-stage is unbelievable. I found myself in awe of their performance as they powered through their career-spanning set, performing 11 tracks over the span of an hour and a half.
This was my first time in attendance for a Between the Buried and Me show, and certainly not my last. Progressive metal is not typically a genre I reach for, but this show may have just changed everything. I am truly still in awe of the incredible performance displayed by the band from this night. New Jersey knew how to party (as always) and it was awesome to watch fans soak up every moment of the show, whether they were in the mosh pit, crowdsurfing or chilling in the back. Between the Buried and Me closed off the show with an encore of “The Blue Nowhere” and “Informal Gluttony” that perfectly wrapped up this phenomenal and immersive live experience.
The Blue Nowhere is out now via InsideOutMusic. Between the Buried and Me and Hail The Sun will continue their co-headlining tour through October 30th in BTBAM’s home state of North Carolina. tICKETS FOR THE REMAINING DATES OF THE TOUR CAN BE FOUND HERE.
