Summer of Loud at The Junkyard

Concert Coverage

Jul 10

The Summer of Loud - Denver, CO - 7/9/2025

By the time the gates opened, hell had already clocked in.

It was 101 degrees in Denver, actual temperature, not the heat index. Hundreds of metalheads were already lined up outside, baking on concrete like true believers at the altar of breakdowns. The sun was merciless, but nobody cared. This wasn’t just another summer show, it was a pilgrimage. Eight bands, no filler. Just riffs, roars, and enough pyro to signal a small war.

Kingdom of Giants opened the floodgates, and the day never looked back. Alpha Wolf followed with the kind of set that made you want to fight your shadow. The Amity Affliction brought the feels, but didn’t skimp on the fury. By the time The Devil Wears Prada took the stage, the air was thick with dust, sweat, and that buzz you only get when you’re five bands deep into something dangerous.

In one of the night’s few quiet moments, The Devil Wears Prada honored the late Dave Shapiro, Emma Huke, and Kendall Fortner, a touching tribute that echoed louder than any scream. Their names were etched on the press pass, a subtle reminder of how deep this community runs.

Then came Parkway Drive, and the entire place damn near exploded. Not only did their drummer throw down upside-down inside a rotating cage, but the thing caught fire on purpose. You read that right: he played while literally on fire. If you weren’t there, don’t try to understand. Just know it melted what little skin was left on anyone’s face.

Killswitch Engage came through like elder gods of the genre, sharp and punishing, followed by Beartooth, who turned every track into a riot chant. And I Prevail closed it all down with a set that felt like the exorcism of a heatstroke demon; tight, aggressive, cathartic as hell.

It wasn’t just loud. It was Summer of Loud. Sunburned. Deafened. Emotionally bruised. Spiritually better for it.

Kingdom of Giants

Kingdom of Giants delivers melodic metalcore with emotional weight and razor-sharp precision. Known for blending soaring cleans with guttural screams and crushing breakdowns, they’ve steadily built a reputation for their heartfelt intensity and polished live performances. With themes of personal struggle and resilience, their music hits just as hard emotionally as it does sonically.

Alpha Wolf

Brutal, unapologetic, and straight from Australia’s underground, Alpha Wolf are one of the most aggressive forces in modern metalcore. Their sound is fueled by chaotic energy, thick grooves, and a streak of nu-metal nastiness that sets them apart from the pack. Alpha Wolf thrives on confrontation, delivering music that sounds like it’s been dragged through broken glass—and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Amity Affliction

The Amity Affliction pairs heavy riffs with deeply emotional themes, forging a sound that’s both anthemic and vulnerable. Known for tackling mental health, loss, and addiction head-on, they’ve connected with fans worldwide through brutally honest lyrics and massive choruses. With their blend of post-hardcore melodies and crushing metalcore foundations, Amity continues to be a defining voice in the genre.

The Devil Wears Prada

Veterans of the metalcore scene, The Devil Wears Prada has evolved from chaotic beginnings into a band that balances raw aggression with atmospheric depth. Over the years, they’ve embraced change while staying rooted in heavy, emotionally charged songwriting. Whether you know them from their early breakdown-laced anthems or their more refined, experimental work, TDWP continues to push boundaries without losing their bite.

Parkway Drive

Parkway Drive is a juggernaut of modern metal. Hailing from Australia, they’ve grown from underground heroes into arena headliners without compromising intensity. Their sound fuses metalcore with cinematic grandeur, combining thunderous riffs, anthemic choruses, and apocalyptic stage shows. Parkway Drive doesn’t just play shows, they incinerate stages and leave ashes where your soul used to be.

Killswitch Engage

Metalcore royalty. Killswitch Engage practically wrote the rulebook on mixing melody with muscle. With iconic dual vocals and timeless riffs, they’ve inspired generations of heavy bands. From their breakout days in the early 2000s to their continued relevance today, Killswitch blends technical precision with emotional grit, proving metal can be both brutal and beautifully human.

Beartooth

Beartooth is the sound of inner demons screamed through a distortion pedal. Fronted by Caleb Shomo, the band has become known for its raw vulnerability and explosive energy, turning mental health struggles into arena-sized anthems. Their music is part therapy, part battle cry, rooted in punk spirit and delivered with metalcore ferocity. Beartooth doesn’t sugarcoat, they bleed truth and the fans love them for it.

I Prevail

I Prevail bridges the gap between metalcore aggression and mainstream accessibility, blending clean vocals, harsh screams, and massive hooks into a sound built for both festival pits and radio airwaves. With genre-fluid songwriting, and a modern, high-octane production style, they’ve become a staple in the scene. I Prevail is proof that heavy music can still top charts without losing its edge.