Sacramento was treated to a thrilling night of synth wave, industrial goth, and unholy vampiric energy as the Colder Than Hell tour kicked off in the city. The planned Los Angeles show featuring Vampires Everywhere, Priest, and Julien-K, and was canceled the previous evening due to raging fires, making Sacramento the tour’s starting point. Despite the setback, all three bands captivated the crowd with their intense display of musical mayhem. The venue teemed with Sacramento’s gothic community, decked out in elaborate regalia, with fans of all ages gathered to revel in a night of techno, pop, and synth wave bliss.

The evening opened with the Long Beach industrial pop rock power trio Julien-K, a group formed in 2003 by former members of the band Orgy. This electrifying ensemble set the perfect tone for what was to come. Led by frontman Ryan Schuck on vocals, with Amir Derakh on programming, guitar, and keyboards, and Galen Waling on drums, Julien-K is renowned for their powerful live performances. They blend electronic rock with industrial beats to create an unforgettable sound. Schuck was dynamic, grooving on stage in a way that got the crowd moving with him. Derakh displayed masterful control of both guitar and keyboards, exuding a Gothic German persona that was captivating to watch. Meanwhile, drummer Waling anchored the performance with relentless energy. The band’s fans were highly engaged, adding an infectious energy to the set. Don’t miss Julien-K when they come to your city—they’re guaranteed to make an impression.

Next on stage was the Swedish synth wave act Priest, who took the performance to another level. Hailing from the dark waves of Scandinavia, the group consists of former members of the Grammy-winning band Ghost. Their set was nothing short of spellbinding. Frontman "Mercury" was enigmatic and brimming with charisma, captivating the audience with his stage presence. "Salt" layered the performance with atmospheric melodies on synths, while "Sulphur" added depth through programming and wielded a wicked keytar with flair. Rooted in electronic dreams and occult techno pop, Priest delivered their brand of High Octane Bop flawlessly. The audience was in perfect unison, singing along to every song—a sight that is always thrilling to witness. Their cyberpunk industrialism created an undeniable energy that left the crowd primed for the night’s headliner.

The grand finale belonged to Vampires Everywhere, an American post-metalcore and industrial rock band from Los Angeles. Led by the enigmatic Michael “Vampire” Orlando, a self-proclaimed real-life vampire, this band brought theatricality and a deep love for the gothic to their performance. Drawing inspiration from horror films and vampiric lore, Vampires Everywhere is aptly named after the 1980s vampire classic “The Lost Boys.” Michael Vampire embodied a Nosferatu-like presence on stage, complete with fangs and a menacing gaze, as he danced with eerie precision. Heavy riffs from guitarist Michael “Ghost” Rodd and booming basslines from Brandon “Blackout” Burke added a raw edge to their sound, while drummer Jesse James Smith intensified the atmosphere with his pounding rhythms.

The blood-red lighting enhanced the haunting aesthetics of their set—a perfect match for their horror-inspired themes, though challenging for photography. Their setlist spanned fan favorites and included their latest single, “Antichrist,” from the newly released album, The Devil Made Me Do It. This band is a must-see for fans of theatrical, genre-bending rock. Their Colder Than Hell tour runs through January, so catch them while you can. Personally, I can’t wait to see them again. And who knows, their vampiric energy might just turn you into one of them. It’s delightfully contagious.