Concert Review: Pure Chaos and Broken Ankles: 156/Silence and Fox Lake Tear Down Montage Music Hall

"156/Silence," "Fox Lake," and "Quantifier's" sold-out show at Montage Music Hall was a show that you just had to be at. It was pure chaos fueled with adrenaline, mosh pits, crowd surfers, and walls of death. In a club venue that I have been going to for years, this was one of, if not the craziest crowd I was a part of.

As I entered Montage Music Hall, I was taken aback by the line to get in. Although I was aware that this was a sold-out and an early show, but I was still surprised because Quantifier is a local band out of Syracuse, NY, and to see the support for them was incredible.

Walking in, I was greeted by security and staff who were nice and easy to work with. I can’t stress this enough: the number of times I go to shows and security and venue staff are not in a pleasant mood can bring the entire vibe of the night down. But the staff was great, and walking into Montage Music Hall is always interesting. Montage Music Hall has posters, photos, and random art pieces all over the walls, and you find something new every time you walk in. But, seeing the stage and the number of people who were already there for Quantifier, I knew it was going to be a good night.

Quantifier is a post-progressive metal band from Syracuse, NY, and they were the perfect band to kick off the show. Their style and sound had the crowd moving and with circle pits, mosh pits, and a wall of death. Their 30-minute performance was filled with energy, blending aggression with melodic elements, and got the crowd hyped up for "Fox Lake" and "156/Silence." After their set, I was just amazed at how many people showed up for local support and the energy that Quantifier gave off; the crowd ate it up. I will always say this till I’m blue in the face: SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SCENE!

I was not ready for the mayhem that is "Fox Lake." I love listening to "Fox Lake," especially their latest album, "New World Heat," and watching their Audiotree session got me even more excited to see them live, but I wasn't ready for the crowd. Their 30-minute set was sheer chaos driven by adrenaline. From front to back, the audience was two-stepping, moshing, forming walls of death, circle pits, and crowd surfing. Lead vocalist Griffith Johnson, performing with a broken ankle and still going all out in a boot, added to the energy and pushed the crowd to go even harder. Meanwhile, drummer Connor Haines pounds his cymbals relentlessly as if they owe him money, which enhances the energy present in "Fox Lake's" music. 

My only gripe with the set was that it was too short and the stage lights. With the crowd going as hard as they were, I wanted the stage lights to be on "Fox Lake" so that I could see their reaction. And of course, as a concert photographer, I would have liked to be able to get some shots of the band, but it was definitely more about seeing their reaction to a crowd going wild. The other problem, which is a good one to have, was that I wanted their set to be longer. Don’t get me wrong, that 30-minute set was jam-packed with raw energy, and I was left wanting more, but I wish it was pushing 40 minutes. It’s a great problem to have if you're "Fox Lake!"

"156/Silence" continued the energy with their atmospheric, haunting tones, melodic ambient textures, and unhinged chaos that are found within their sound. Their 45-minute set was packed with fan favorites, deep cuts, and a surprise new song that showcases the band's progression in their sound.

Opening with “Unreasonable Doubt,” the crowd went from 0 to 11. The pit was throwing down, fans all around me were screaming and singing the lyrics back at the band, and the atmosphere was electric. "156/Silence" asked for more, and the crowd gave them more, creating the biggest wall of death I have ever seen in Montage Music Hall. The band also added songs “Our Parting Ways” and “Sleep Spikes” to showcase their more ambient and atmospheric sounds mixed with their heavy aggression.

This was the best I heard "156/Silence" live. Jack Murray’s raw and clean vocals were on point and sounded better live than on the album. Jimmy and Ryan’s guitar work showcases just how incredibly they work together to help define the "156/Silence" sound. Drummer Kyle and bassist Mike were sonically tuned; they are the backing beat and driving force of the band. 

The highlight of the night wasn’t how tight "156/Silence" sounded, or witnessing the biggest wall of death I have seen in a club show. It was a father teaching his son the art of moshing. During "156/Silence" new song, a dance track that inspires two-stepping and throwing down, the father lifted his son and ran around the pit with him in his arms. The people in the pit playfully bumped into them, showing the child that the mosh pit isn't as intimidating as it seems. It’s a moment that neither of them will forget and shows us that this community is alive more than ever.

After the set, I watched as fans crowded the merch tables, and to my surprise, both Jack and Griffith were at the merch tables signing autographs, taking photos, and talking to fans. Then, on the stage, I saw bassist Mike Ernst talking to fans while they were waiting for the merch lines to thin out. I love to see this because both bands know and understand that without fans, they can’t tour. A five-minute gesture of signing something, taking a photo, or talking to the concertgoers will create memories that last longer than the show and make new fans.

I also want to give a shout out to the "156/Silence" manager. She was a pleasure to work with! She responded promptly, provided set times, and clearly communicated where I could and couldn't go. More managers should follow her example, and I hope to work with her again in the future.

Without having a pit, the craziness of the crowd made it challenging to take photos without the chance of destroying my gear. My photos may not fully capture the essence of the show, but I hope my words do. For two and a half hours, it was pure chaos, and I absolutely love witnessing this community come alive and support the music and artists they love. "156/Silence" and "Fox Lake" are on tour together till the end of May, and if this tour is rolling through your city, I highly recommend that you go. Additionally, check out both bands' websites because they have tours scheduled throughout the year. Link to their websites below.

156/Silence https://www.156silence.com/

Fox Lake https://www.foxlakeband.com/