CHIODOS CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ‘ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL’ IN NEW JERSEY
Stop and drop everything: Chiodos is f**king back again. The legendary post-harcore act is currently making their way around the United States once more in celebration of the 20th anniversary of THEIR DEBUT ALBUM, All’s Well That Ends Well. The massive 30-date run hits some notable cities the band missed on the first leg of the tour in the spring, including an epic return to New Jersey at The Wellmont Theater on November 23rd.
Big Ass Truck, Emmure and Hawthorne Heights warmed the crowd up for the chaos ahead. Despite not being too familiar with their music, it was extremely fun to watch Big Ass Truck rip some intense breakdowns and killer screams to open the show. I’ve had my eye on them since they were added to this year’s Vans Warped Tour lineup and can confidently say the Southern Californian act is worth all the hype.
Hawthorne Heights joined Chiodos on the first leg of the All’s Well That Ends Well Tour and I was absolutely thrilled to see them on this bill once again. I’ve been a huge fan of the early 2000s emo legends since I was a Hot Topic regular in middle school. Singing along to songs like “Saying Sorry” and “Ohio Is For Lovers” will always leave me with my heart feeling full and ears feeling blessed. The band is still a killer live act that reminds you it was never a phase.
Montclair was ready to let loose as soon as Chiodos commenced their set with “All Nereids Beware.” The energy at this show was otherworldly. The barricade was full of fans in awe of the monumental act in front of them, each singing, screaming and head-banging along to the music they grew up with. The rest of the crowd either found themselves hurdling through the air, jumping into endless mosh pits or enjoying their night off to the sides with a drink in hand.
This show was my second time catching Chiodos live and only further cemented that it’s near impossible to detail how spectacular they really are. From his phenomenal vocals to the way he carries himself on stage, Craig Owens is an unbeatable talent. The only fitting word to describe his range is bone-chilling as he belts out every note like his life depends on it.
The setlist powered through All’s Well That Ends Well from start to finish with the addition of a few fan-favorites from their catalog. “Bulls Make Money, Bears Make Money, Pigs Get Slaughtered" particularly got the crowd losing their minds, with the amount of screams once the song started being enough to break an eardrum.
Chiodos finished their set with “Baby, You Wouldn’t Last a Minute on the Creek” and the energy in the Wellmont went through the roof. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard a crowd sing back every lyric at as loud of a volume as they did here. Before the night (sadly) came to its inevitable end, this final song allowed the whole room to come together one last time and cathartically sing along to the beloved classic.
Though Owens is the only original member standing, the essence of Chiodos and All’s Well That Ends Well remains over two decades later. This tour served as a striking reminder that the music that shapes you never actually leaves. With only a few dates left, Chiodos put on a phenomenal show celebrating the influence of this pivotal scene staple that’s more than worth witnessing for yourself. TICKETS AND INFORMATION FOR THESE REMAINING SHOWS CAN BE FOUND HERE.
