A Night of Dark Majesty and Theatrical Horror: Avatar and Ice Nine Kills Conquer The Hollywood Palladium
The Hollywood Palladium 09.04.24
Gallery & Review by Caitlin Schmidt
Shot for Hidden Beats
The Hollywood Palladium was transformed into a realm of darkness and theatricality on September 4, 2024, as Avatar and Ice Nine Kills took the stage in a night of gothic metal and horror-infused mayhem. The evening commenced with TX2, setting the stage for an intense night of music. Their energetic performance was a promising prelude to the evening’s headliners, with Avatar soon taking the spotlight.
Hollywood Palladium was transformed into a realm of darkness and theatricality on September 4, 2024, as Avatar and Ice Nine Kills took the stage in a night of gothic metal and horror-infused mayhem. The evening commenced with TX2, setting the stage for an intense night of music. Their energetic performance was a promising prelude to the evening’s headliners, with Avatar soon taking the spotlight.
Avatar’s Dark Majesty
Swedish metal outfit Avatar stormed the Palladium with a set that was as theatrical as it was intense. The band’s gothic overtones were in full display, blending heavy metal with an eerie, circus-like atmosphere. Their setlist was a masterclass in dark artistry, featuring a potent mix of crowd favorites and deep cuts. They opened with the blistering “Dance Devil Dance,” which set a high-energy tone for the night. The band then rolled into “The Eagle Has Landed,” a track that showcased their ability to meld melody with their signature heavy sound.
Tracks like “Valley of Disease” and “Bloody Angel” revealed Avatar’s knack for crafting dark, immersive narratives, while “For the Swarm” and “The Dirt I’m Buried In” showcased their dynamic range. The crowd was particularly animated during “Smells Like a Freakshow,” a track that perfectly encapsulates Avatar’s unique blend of theatricality and metal. The set culminated with the anthemic “Hail the Apocalypse,” leaving the audience rapt and ready for the next act.
Ice Nine Kills: A Horrific Theatrical Extravaganza
Following Avatar, Ice Nine Kills took the stage as co-headliners alongside In This Moment, and they did not disappoint. Known for their horror-themed stage shows, Ice Nine Kills delivered a performance that was nothing short of cinematic. The Palladium was transformed into a horror movie set, complete with elaborate costumes and grisly props.
Their setlist was a rollercoaster of horror-infused anthems. The band kicked things off with “Rainy Day” and “Meat & Greet,” setting a chilling tone that only intensified as the night progressed. “Ex-Mørtis” and “Thank God It’s Friday” showcased the band’s ability to combine heavy riffs with horror storytelling, while their cover of Katrina and the Waves’ “Walking on Sunshine” offered bizarrely entertaining contrast.
The show reached a peak of macabre creativity with “Funeral Derangements” and “IT Is the End,” both of which were accompanied by impressive visual effects and character portrayals. Ice Nine Kills brought out iconic horror characters like Hannibal Lecter, Freddy Krueger, Georgie and Pennywise, and Patrick Bateman throughout their set, immersing the audience in a world of cinematic terror. The set was paused briefly when “The Greatest Story Ever Told” was interrupted to assist an injured fan, but the band’s swift response and the crowd’s support ensured that the show continued.
The night concluded with “The American Nightmare,” “The Shower Scene,” and “Welcome to Horrorwood,” with the latter featuring some of the most elaborate and blood-soaked theatrics of the evening. Ice Nine Kills’ blend of horror movie homage and metal was a thrilling spectacle that left the audience both shocked and enthralled.
Final Thoughts
The combination of Avatar’s gothic metal prowess and Ice Nine Kills’ horror-themed theatrics made for a memorable evening at The Hollywood Palladium. The seamless integration of musical intensity and theatrical flair from both bands created an experience that was as visually compelling as it was sonically powerful. While In This Moment’s set was not reviewed here, their presence as co-headliners certainly contributed to a night of diverse and dynamic performances. Overall, this concert was a testament to the power of merging music with immersive stagecraft, leaving fans with lasting memories of a truly spectacular night.