A packed house at the Roxian bore witness to a heavy music masterclass as the Silence Follows tour rolled through Pittsburgh. Erra and Currents brought a massive co-headlining package that felt like a perfect pairing for any fan of modern, atmospheric metalcore. Erra has spent over a decade refining their progressive sound into something both technical and beautiful, while Currents has surged to the top of the scene with their signature blend of emotional weight and crushing riffs. The energy in the room was electric from the start, as fans knew they were in for a night of top-tier production and relentless energy. It was one of those shows where every band on the bill felt essential to the overall experience.
Aviana got things started with a set that was as heavy as a ton of bricks. The Swedish group has been making waves with their dark, aggressive sound, and they definitely did not hold back for the early crowd. Joel Holmqvist commanded the stage with an intimidating presence, delivering gutterals that shook the very floorboards of the theater. The instrumentals from the masked band were tight and punchy, providing a bleak but high-energy soundtrack for the first mosh pits of the night. It was a short set, but it did exactly what an opener should do by immediately cranking the intensity up to ten.
Caskets took the stage next, offering a melodic and soaring contrast to the sheer brutality that came before them. The UK-based band brought a huge sense of atmosphere to the Roxian, with choruses that were practically designed for a room of this size. Their blend of post-hardcore and alt-rock gave the crowd a chance to catch their breath while still keeping their hands in the air. The clean vocals were absolutely spot-on, hitting those high notes with an ease that was really impressive to hear in a live setting.
Currents finally emerged to a deafening roar, marking their big return to the Roxian since they opened for The Amity Affliction two years ago. The Connecticut quintet looked right at home, with Brian Wille leading the charge on vocals alongside guitarists Chris Wiseman and Ryan Castaldi, bassist Christian Pulgarin, and drummer Matt Young. They moved with a practiced confidence, utilizing the entire stage to connect with the fans who had been waiting for this headline-level production. Brian’s ability to switch between haunting cleans and soul-crushing screams is better than ever, and the band behind him sounded absolutely massive.
The setlist was a dream for long-time followers, especially because they the entirety of their EP All That Follows, which just dropped last year. Hearing “Rise & Fall” live was a spiritual experience, as the ambient textures swelled into some of the heaviest breakdowns of the entire night. They also threw in favourites “The Death We Seek” and “Better Days,” which turned the floor into a literal sea of moving bodies. The lights were synchronized perfectly with every kick drum hit, creating a visual experience that matched the intensity of the music. Everyone in the building seemed to know every word, creating a massive sing-along that echoed throughout the Roxian.
Erra closed out the night with a performance that felt like a journey through another dimension. The band was firing on all cylinders, featuring the incredible dual-guitar attack of Jesse Cash and Clint Tustin, the powerhouse vocals of J.T. Cavey, and the rock-solid rhythm section of bassist Conor Hesse and drummer Alex Ballew. Jesse’s clean, ethereal vocals acted as the perfect counterpoint to J.T.’s ferocious mid-range screams. They have a way of making extremely complex, technical riffs look easy, which is a testament to how much they have practiced over the years. The stage was drenched in deep reds and blues, fitting the progressive and cosmic themes of their music perfectly.
Fans were treated to a heavy dose of new material, including several standout songs from their recently released album silence outlives the earth. “gore of being” and “further eden” showed off Erra’s evolution into a more cinematic and refined sound. Of course, they didn’t forget the classics, as “Snowblood” and “Skyline” sent the crowd into a total frenzy. The technical precision during the solos was breathtaking, and the mix was so clear that you could hear every intricate note. As the show wrapped up and sweaty moshers spilled into the street, the electrifying energy continued just a little bit longer as the sky was lit up with the most immaculate lightning, somehow perfectly mirroring the intensity of the metalcore mayhem that just occurred.
March 22nd, 2026
