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LIVE REVIEW: Summer Of Loud Tour 2025, performances by Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, Beartooth and I Prevail

On July 24th, 2025 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey At the time you are reading this, the Summer Of Loud Tour 2025 just concluded with the final performance in Charlotte, North Carolina. A little over a month-long trek across America brought the loudest and the heaviest bands together for one…

andyj76
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On July 24th, 2025 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey

At the time you are reading this, the Summer Of Loud Tour 2025 just concluded with the final performance in Charlotte, North Carolina. A little over a month-long trek across America brought the loudest and the heaviest bands together for one epic show. Headlined on a rotating schedule are the truly phenomenal and huge bands – Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, Beartooth and I Prevail, supported by the The Amity Affliction and The Devil Wears Prada, with Alpha Wolf and Dark Divine getting things started early in the day. July 24th got a heat wave started in the Garden State (New Jersey), and coincidentally the hotter, flame throwing event arrived.

Promotional poster for the Summer of Loud Tour 2025, featuring band names including I Prevail, Beartooth, Parkway Drive, and Killswitch Engage, along with supporting acts at PNC Bank Arts Center on July 24.

Written by Andris Jansons

We will talk about Big 4, No, not the Thrash Metal Big 4 (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax), but rather the next generation Metalcore and metal Big 4. On this day the first honor fell on Killswitch Engage.

Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Massachusetts, formed in 1999. In their twenty six years of producing music, the band has released nine studio albums, with the last one This Consequence in February this year.

Band came on stage while hot summer sun was still beating on the stage. I don’t think vocalist Jesse Leach had much fun in the sun, as he used his hand to cover his eyes from the direct sunlight quite often. Temperature was pretty brutal at this time as well. Heat and sun di not diminish the bands performance, it was as hot as the weather.

Their set list was full of their best music – Rose of Sharyn, In Due Time, This Fire, I Believe, Hate by Design, Forever Aligned, The Signal Fire, My Curse, Aftermath, The End of Heartache, My Last Serenade and Holy Diver (Dio cover).

Killswitch Engage links

https://killswitchengage.com

See full gallery of Killswitch Engage performance below.

A band performing live on stage with a dynamic atmosphere, showcasing energetic musicians and vibrant lighting.
A band performs on stage with flames shooting up on either side, creating an intense atmosphere during their set.
A metal band performs on stage surrounded by flames, with the lead vocalist singing passionately while guitarists play electric guitars under dramatic lighting.
A bassist performs energetically on stage, his hair flying as he plays. The background features a dramatic stage setup with skull motifs, enhancing the intense atmosphere of the metal concert.
A male vocalist passionately performing on stage with a guitarist in the background, surrounded by colorful stage lights and smoke.
A lead singer performing on stage with a powerful pose, surrounded by flames shooting upwards, creating an intense atmosphere.
Guitarist performing on stage with a white electric guitar, wearing a black sleeveless shirt, and surrounded by a rock concert atmosphere.
A performer is singing energetically into a microphone while another musician plays the guitar, with colorful stage lights and fog enhancing the energetic atmosphere of a live concert.
A live performance photo featuring a male vocalist passionately singing into a microphone while a guitarist plays beside him. Flames erupt in the background, creating an energetic atmosphere. The vocalist wears a white shirt and patterned pants, while the guitarist dons a black tank top with a humorous slogan.
A lead singer performing on stage surrounded by flames and colorful stage lights.
A guitarist performing on stage with flames erupting from behind, set in a smoky concert environment.

Next on the bill were the purveyors of Metalcore from the Land Down Under. The Australian band has released seven studio albums in their twenty two year career. 

Besides all the fire throwing equipment Parkway Drive also placed their drummer Ben “Gaz” Gordon on a spinning metal fire wheel. Crushed taken from their 2015 album Ire was chosen as an exclamation point for their set. I must say with honesty, and putting aside that Crushed is my favorite song from the band, that this was as powerful statement and closing performance as you will ever see. It is like the song was made for this moment. Fire, wheel spinning, powerful music and vocals left everyone agasp. 

While set  does not look look long it did pack a punch – Glitch, Prey, The Void, Vice Grip, Sacred, Bottom Feeder, Wild Eyes and of course Crushed.

Parkway Drive links

https://www.parkwaydriverock.com

See full gallery of Parkway Drive performance below.

A guitarist performing on stage, wearing a sleeveless shirt and black pants, showcasing a dynamic pose while playing an electric guitar.
A male musician performing energetically on stage, wearing a sleeveless top and baggy pants, showcasing tattoos on his arms, amidst a foggy background.
A male vocalist passionately performing on stage with a microphone, wearing a sleeveless shirt and baggy pants. A guitarist is visible in the background, along with concert equipment and lights.
A guitarist passionately performing on stage during a live concert, with long hair caught in motion.
Musician playing electric guitar on stage during a concert performance.
A musician performing on stage, playing an electric guitar, wearing a sleeveless shirt and baggy pants, with tattoos visible on their arms.
A dynamic performance scene featuring a lead vocalist passionately singing while jumping, with a guitarist in the background. The stage is illuminated with fog and dramatic lighting, creating a high-energy atmosphere.
A vocalist performing on stage with a microphone, gesturing passionately, while a guitarist plays beside him. The background features stage equipment and a crowd visible in the distance.
A bassist performing on stage during a concert, surrounded by smoke and vibrant background visuals.
A male vocalist performing passionately on stage during a music concert, with visible tattoos and an intense expression. The stage background includes band equipment and lighting.
A male vocalist passionately performing on stage with flames shooting up in the background, while a guitarist plays behind him.
Lead vocalist of a band performing energetically on stage with colorful smoke in the background.
A live performance scene featuring a male vocalist with tattoos, holding a microphone and raising his arm as flames shoot upward in the background.
A dynamic live performance scene featuring a male vocalist with a microphone in an energetic pose, flanked by a guitarist, surrounded by dramatic lighting and flames.
A male vocalist with tattoos passionately performing on stage, holding a microphone, with a blurred band member in the background.
A male lead singer with tattoos performs energetically on stage during a live music event.
A vocalist passionately performing on stage, showcasing tattoos and intense energy during a live music event.
An intense performer on stage with tattoos and an expressive facial expression, holding a microphone while engaging with the audience.
A drummer actively playing on stage, surrounded by drums and cymbals, with dramatic lighting in the background.
A male vocalist with tattoos passionately performing on stage, holding a microphone to his mouth while gesturing with his other hand.
A guitarist performing energetically on stage, wearing sunglasses and a black outfit, with a dramatic backdrop of metallic structures.
A guitarist performing energetically on stage, wearing sunglasses and a black outfit, with a guitar held high.
A live performance scene featuring a band on stage with dramatic lighting and fog effects. The lead vocalist is engaging with the audience, while musicians play guitar and bass in the background.
A band performing live on stage with dramatic lighting and a large circular backdrop, featuring a guitarist, a vocalist in a sleeveless shirt, and a drummer in the background.
Two guitarists performing passionately on stage, with one holding a black electric guitar and the other a yellow guitar. The drummer is visible in the background. The setup features a modern stage design.
A guitarist performing on stage with an energetic expression, wearing sunglasses, with a band member in the background partially obscured by smoke.
A male vocalist passionately performing on stage with tattoos visible on his arms, microphone in hand, and a band setup in the background.
A musician performing on stage with a guitar, wearing sunglasses and a black shirt, amidst a smoky and colorful backdrop.
A male performer with tattoos energetically engages the audience on stage during a concert, with dramatic lighting and a large circular backdrop.
A guitarist performing on stage with a powerful posture, wearing sunglasses, amidst a dramatic backdrop of lights and smoke, with a drummer visible in the background.
A male vocalist passionately performing on stage with a dynamic pose, set against a backdrop of dramatic lighting and a circular metal structure.
A male vocalist with tattoos, crouching on stage while holding a microphone, performing under red stage lighting.
A guitarist performs energetically on stage during a concert, wearing sunglasses and casual black attire, with a drummer visible in the background.
A male singer performing on stage with tattoos, microphone in hand, standing amid vibrant red lighting with a drum set in the background.
A live music performance featuring musicians on stage with flames shooting up from the sides, creating a dramatic atmosphere during a concert.
A live performance scene featuring band members playing instruments on stage with flames shooting up on either side, creating an energetic atmosphere.

Beartooth came in as more of a melodic metalcore and hard rock option. Though their heaviness is undeniable. Caleb Shomo strikes a bit different tone as other vocalists from the big four bands on tour. At some moments the bands music delves in the area of post hardcore and, forgive me father for my sins, but I sense a bit of pop punk in a lot of choruses. Best part of that is that none minded to sing a long the melodies after a certain brutality of the band before.

Bands choices for the songs on the night were – The Lines, The Past Is Dead, Sunshine!, ATTN., Disease, Doubt Me, I Was Alive, Might Love Myself, Drum Solo / The Last Riff,  You Never Know, Riptide and In Between.

Beartooth

https://beartoothband.com

See full gallery of Beartooth performance below.

A passionate male vocalist performing on stage, expressing energy and emotion while holding a microphone.
A performer raises their arm while holding a microphone, with a bright sky in the background during a live music event.
A male singer passionately performing on stage with a microphone, surrounded by bright lights and a blurred band setup in the background.
A male vocalist passionately performs on stage with a microphone, while a guitarist plays in the background. The atmosphere is energetic with dynamic lighting effects.
A musician performing on stage with an electric guitar, wearing a sleeveless shirt, against a backdrop of colorful lights and a textured screen.
A musician performing on stage with a guitar in front of a large, textured backdrop resembling a serpent, under bright stage lights.
A lead vocalist performs energetically on stage with a microphone, while a guitarist plays in the background. Bright stage lights illuminate the scene.
Band performing live on stage with vibrant background visuals at the Summer Of Loud Tour 2025.
A live performance scene featuring a band on stage, with the lead vocalist at the forefront and a drummer in the background, against a backdrop displaying the text 'Between The Lines'. The audience is visible in the foreground.
Lead vocalist performing energetically on stage with pyrotechnics during a concert, while the band plays in the background.
A male vocalist with tattoos passionately performing on stage, holding a microphone and singing energetically.
A male vocalist passionately performing on stage at a concert, with an enthusiastic audience in the foreground and a large screen displaying a blurred image of the band behind him.
Two musicians performing on stage with flames erupting beside them, in front of a large decorative backdrop during a concert.
A male vocalist passionately performing on stage, wearing a black cropped shirt. Bright stage lights illuminate the scene.
A band performing on stage with flames shooting up behind them, surrounded by a dramatic backdrop featuring a large, stylized sculpture.
A musician performing on stage with a bass guitar, passionately singing into a microphone, while another band member plays guitar in the background.
A male vocalist performing on stage with a microphone, wearing a black shirt and jeans, against a colorful backdrop featuring abstract visuals.
A male vocalist performs energetically on stage, with colorful lighting in the background, during a live concert.
A guitarist performs on stage with a vibrant background during a music festival.
A band performing on stage during the Summer Of Loud Tour 2025, with vibrant stage lights and a dynamic background, capturing the energy of a live music event.
A musician on stage playing a bass guitar and performing a hand gesture, dressed in a graphic t-shirt, with a colorful background highlighting the concert atmosphere.
A performer passionately singing into a microphone with one hand raised, showcasing a strong emotional expression on stage.
A live performance featuring a lead vocalist singing energetically on stage, with a drummer visible in the background. The scene is set with dramatic lighting and a large backdrop.
A male bassist performs on stage, wearing a black Slayer t-shirt, with dramatic lighting and an abstract background.
A male vocalist performing on stage, kneeling with a microphone in hand and a focused expression, showcasing tattoos and casual attire. The background features a blurred concert setting.
A metal band performing on stage with dramatic lighting and fireworks, in front of a large serpent sculpture.
A guitarist performing on stage with flames erupting in the background during a concert.
A guitarist passionately performs on stage with an electric guitar, surrounded by concert equipment and lighting.
A band performs on stage with flames shooting up from the sides, surrounded by a large, unique stage design featuring a sculptural element.
A musician performing on stage with one arm raised, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd, at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
A musician performing on stage with a bass guitar, surrounded by large visual screens and a drum set in the background.
A musician playing guitar on stage with flames shooting up in the background during a live concert performance.

I Prevail is an interesting animal. If Beartooth sounded I bit modern, a bit different than Killswitch Engage and Parkway Drive, then wait until you will hear I Prevail. Band can go from hard hitting metalcore to hip hop infused modern metal in 0.1 second. Oh no. I am not complaining. I love when things are interesting. And so did everyone else. Their set was a blast. set with the tones of Industrial metal themes of chain link fences fused with ancient Roman or Greek columns covered with flowers articulating exactly my thought of the band embracing comprehensive approach to their style.

I can’t say that they chose their biggest banger Gasoline as a closing song properly, they played many bangers worthy of that. But this was a perfect way to end the night.

Set for the night was as mighty as the band itself – Bow Down, Body Bag, Self-Destruction, There’s Fear in Letting Go, Violent Nature, Blank Space, Into Hell, Bad Things, Choke, Hurricane and Gasoline.

I Prevail links

https://iprevailband.com

See full gallery of I Prevail performance below.

A male vocalist with long hair passionately performing on stage, holding a microphone and surrounded by stage lighting and a backdrop featuring large lettering.
A male guitarist performing on stage with a black guitar, wearing a sleeveless shirt with a graphic design, with a large backdrop displaying the band's name in bold red letters.
A male guitarist performing on stage with a large backdrop displaying the band's name 'I Prevail'. The stage is set with lighting and equipment, and the band members are engaged in a dynamic performance.
A musician passionately playing an electric guitar on stage, surrounded by a backdrop of greenery and performance lights.
A guitarist passionately performing on stage, wearing a sleeveless shirt with an artistic design, amidst dramatic lighting at a live concert.
A drummer performing on stage with the band I Prevail, showcasing a dynamic setup with drums and amplifiers, during a live concert.
A guitarist from I Prevail performs live on stage with fire effects in the background, showcasing an energetic atmosphere.
I Prevail performing live on stage with a large LED screen displaying their name, surrounded by green stage lights and flames.
A guitarist on stage performing with flames erupting from his instrument, against a backdrop of bright lights and stage setup.
A metal vocalist performing passionately on stage, with dramatic lighting and a bold backdrop featuring stylized text.
A lively performance by a heavy metal vocalist in a graphic t-shirt, passionately engaging with the audience on stage against a backdrop of bold, red graphics.
A male vocalist passionately performing on stage with fire effects in the background, wearing a graphic t-shirt and surrounded by band members.
A performer on stage with long hair stands confidently, holding a microphone, with flames erupting beside them and a vibrant background featuring bold lettering.
A vocalist from the band I Prevail performs on stage with flames in the background, showcasing an energetic live performance.
A performer on stage with flames erupting behind, set during a heated metal concert.
A guitarist passionately performing on stage during a concert, with dramatic lighting and a foggy atmosphere in the background.
A bassist performs on stage surrounded by flames during a concert, with a large backdrop displaying bold graphics.
A singer performing on stage with a dynamic pose, while a bassist plays in the background, with bright stage lights and a large graphic backdrop.
A musician from the band I Prevail performs on stage holding a black guitar, with a large backdrop featuring the band's name behind them. The stage has dramatic lighting and a metal structure in the foreground.
A guitarist in a black shirt features a striking graphic of a face, kneeling on stage while holding a black electric guitar, with a large band logo in the background.
A vocalist performing on stage, passionately singing into a microphone with a vibrant background and dramatic lighting.
A musician performing on stage, showcasing a dynamic pose while holding a microphone, with stage lights in the background.
A guitarist passionately performing on stage during a live concert, wearing a black sleeveless shirt with a graphic design, illuminated by stage lights.
A vocalist energetically performing on stage, wearing a colorful graphic t-shirt, with a microphone in hand and a passionate expression, while a bandmate is seen in the background.
A live performance scene featuring two band members on stage, one passionately singing into a microphone with a dramatic pose, and the other playing an electric guitar, both surrounded by decorative columns and ambient lighting.
A live performance by a heavy metal band featuring a singer with curly hair and two guitarists on stage, surrounded by bright stage lights and smoke effects.
A live performance scene featuring a vocalist on stage surrounded by fire effects, with theatrical columns and band equipment visible in the background.
A guitarist performing on stage amidst dramatic lighting and flames, creating an intense atmosphere at a concert.
A live performance by I Prevail at the PNC Bank Arts Center with dramatic lighting and fire effects, featuring band members on stage in front of a large screen displaying the band's name.
A metalcore performance featuring a band on stage with flames erupting around them, showcasing dramatic lighting and an energetic atmosphere.

Overall thoughts on this tour / festival are very positive ones. While I did miss early performances, I was told that they ere awesome, and witnessed by quite a few people. While on the long events the crowd tend to dissipate by the end, due to fatigue, some alcohol and maybe not their favorite band closing the event, it was not the case here. Fans of all bands stayed to the end. It is a clear sign that the lineup was constructed perfectly. This was absolutely the show you could not miss this summer. Spectacle of modern metal and metalcore.

Summer Of Loud links

https://summerofloud.com

2 responses to “LIVE REVIEW: Summer Of Loud Tour 2025, performances by Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, Beartooth and I Prevail”

  1. Don Marcelo Avatar
    Don Marcelo

    cool shots. Definitely would love to photograph some of these bands

    Reply
    1. andyj76 Avatar
      andyj76

      Thanks ! Super bands, great stage designs !

      Reply

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