Norfolk, VA – Milan, Italy’s heavy rockers Lacuna Coil bring the heavy to The NorVA on a Monday night with support from Anaheim, California’s rock band New Years Day and Houston, Texas’ progressive metal outfit Oceans of Slumber.
It has been almost a year and a half since I last caught a show at The NorVA and what has changed in that time is the number of metal shows they are bringing to the area. In the past they avoided metal for what I am sure they thought were more profitable tour packages. And although some of the shows they booked aren’t my cup of tea, this was one of the better shows to come to Hampton Roads in some time. Talking to several people at the show they commented that it was nice not to have to drive hours to go see a show and hope that this trend doesn’t change.
Oceans of Slumber started the evening with a set of songs that touched on at least one song from most of their discography. I think the audience didn’t quite know what to make of them at first, but got into them as their set progressed. If you are not familiar with them, think of “Watershed” or “Blackwater Park” era Opeth with a female lead vocalist, and Cammie Gilbert can sing her ass off!!!! If you like progressive metal with a twist, you will love Oceans of Slumber.
Oceans of Slumber SETLIST
The Waters Rising
Red Forest Roads
The Decay of Disregard
Sunlight
At Dawn
Pray for Fire
The Shipbuilder’s Son
A Return to the Earth Below
Where Gods Fear to Speak
While I am familiar with New Years Day, my first experience with any member of the band was when I saw Ashley Costello sing as part of the goth-pop duo The Haxans when they opened for John 5 two years ago, so I had some idea what to expect. New Years Day expands on the goth rock with a look that reminds me of 80’s hair metal bands and a sound all their own. It seemed that a good portion of the audience came to see them specifically as they headbanged and moved to the music. The set was mostly songs from their fifth album released March 1st called “Half Black Heart”. New Years Day is a fun band to see live if you like goth rock they deliver the goods.
New Years Day SETLIST
Vampyre
Come for Me
Half Black Heart
Shut Up
Fearless
Disgust Me
Hurts Like Hell
Fucking Hostile (Pantera cover)
Kill or Be Killed
Last November I got to see Lacuna Coil for the first time on Headbangers Boat and was quite impressed with them, so when I got the chance to see them again I went for it. This is a band that enjoys playing live, you can see it on their faces. While their setlist hasn’t changed that much since I saw them on Headbangers Boat, they managed to slip in a couple of extra songs for a true headlining set. Ashley Costello made a cameo and sang “In The Mean Time”, a nice touch. For the people who came specifically to see them, they had a good time.
Lacuna Coil SETLIST
Intro
Blood, Tears, Dust
Reckless
Trip the Darkness
Apocalypse
Layers of Time
Heaven’s a Lie XX
Our Truth
Entwined XX
Now or Never
My Demons
In The Mean Time
Veneficium
Never Dawn
AEON XX/Tight Rope XX
Swamped XX
Nothing Stands in Our Way
The “Ignite The Fire Tour 2024” runs through May 19th with an appearance at Milwaukee Metal Fest. If you get the opportunity to see this tour package, take advantage of it.
Show Date: May 6, 2024
