COHEED AND CAMBRIA LIVE!! | REDHAT AMPHITHEATER
Coverage by James Benson
What was supposed to be an epic trifecta of progressive metal, thunderous riffs, and cosmic storytelling was, unfortunately, cut short by nature’s own pyrotechnics. The Infinite Arc Tour — featuring Coheed and Cambria, Mastodon, and Periphery — rolled into Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater on May 13th, but not without a stormy twist. A persistent rain and lightning delay forced Periphery’s opening set to be abbreviated, leaving fans soaked but still buzzing from the energy they managed to pack into a condensed performance.
Periphery hit the stage under gloomy skies and an ominous forecast, but that didn’t stop them from unleashing a high-voltage burst of technical precision and groove-laced aggression. Opening with “Wildfire,” the band sounded tight and intense, Spencer Sotelo’s vocals slicing through the humid air with clarity. They made it through only a handful of tracks — “Atropos” and “Zagreus” among them — before lightning in the area forced the venue into a holding pattern. Though brief, their performance reminded everyone why they’re at the forefront of the modern progressive metal scene.
After an anxious weather delay, the skies cleared just enough for Mastodon to take the stage. Opening with the haunting “The Wolf Is Loose,” they brought their signature blend of heavy, sludgy riffs and psychedelic interludes. Brann Dailor’s drumming was, as always, a show-stealer — both frenetic and flawlessly controlled. Highlights included “Oblivion,” “More Than I Could Chew,” and a thunderous “Blood and Thunder” that almost dared the skies to open back up. Mastodon played like a band with something to prove, and despite the earlier setbacks, they delivered a crushing, cathartic set.
Coheed & Cambria closed the night with a cosmic journey through The Amory Wars and beyond, balancing fan favorites with deeper cuts that showcased the band’s ever-evolving sound. Claudio Sanchez, ever the commanding presence, led the charge with “The Dark Sentencer” and “Beautiful Losers” before launching into “A Favor House Atlantic,” which had the drenched crowd singing every word. The lightning may have threatened the show, but Coheed’s anthemic choruses and sprawling instrumentals lit up the night in their own way.
Though the weather threatened to derail the evening, The Infinite Arc Tour persevered. While fans were disappointed by Periphery’s shortened set, Mastodon and Coheed & Cambria more than made up for the delay with powerful, immersive performances. It was a night that proved no force — not even nature — can silence great music for long.
