Currents & Chelsea Grin – Gig Review & Photo Gallery 9th May @ 170 Russell, Melb VIC

Currents and Chelsea Grin
170 Russell, Melbourne VIC
May 9, 2025
Supports: Bloom and HEAVENSGATE

There are so many great gigs cropping up in Australia, it is almost hard to keep track. Every now and again though, a lineup that's as close to perfect as can be rears its head. That was the case with the announcement of a 8 date Australian tour package, co-headlined by metalcore maestros Currents and legendary deathcore tyrants Chelsea Grin. Two US bands of such high calibre set their sights on 170 Russell, and Australia's best in Bloom and HEAVENSGATE joined the party.

Melbourne locals in HEAVENSGATE kicked things off with their latest heavy hitter ‘OBLIVION’, a fast paced banger that encapsulates the rage that the band aimed to impress upon the audience. From the first song vocalist Naz Tharratt urged Melbourne to make a statement. He promised that Melbourne would be the best show on tour, and they turned the fuck up. Sure maybe the pits could've been a wee bit more active, but you can't deny the passion that locals had for HEAVENSGATE as they smashed their way through tracks like ‘GINSICK’, ‘VIOLENT JOY’, and the ever still relevant diss track ‘RATKING’. Despite the pit being ok, diehard fans carried the hype throughout the rumbling barrage that was HEAVENSGATE.

HEAVENSGATE'S hometown hopes were solidified once Bloom took to the stage. Support acts run the risk of not getting the attention they deserve. Attendees may only wish to see the headline act, or they might not be too familiar with the band and use it as an opportunity for a smoko. The audience shattered these doubts. 170 Russell exploded the second vocalist Jono Hawkey launched into ‘The Service’. Bloom are one of my favourite Australian acts, because the emotional lyrics and powerful delivery of their songs live hit me where I feel. The universal pain and passion experienced by punters during Bloom's performance culminated in continuous crowd surfers and a rowdy as fuck pit. I can't help but get teary while I scream the words to ‘Cold’ and their most recent single ‘The Works Of You’, however Bloom had a couple of little treats for their dedicated fan base. Instead of slowing things down with ‘You And I’, they pulled out their cover of ‘Ceilings’ and squeezed in another OG EP track ‘Daylight’. Bloom just keep getting better, and it was so fucking heart-warming to be a part of a crowd that gave back the energy the band deserved.

The hype was real when Chelsea Grin took to the stage. The opening line of ‘Hostage’ “I see my demons staring at me now” lit the fuse for a wall shaking set, as the band rocked their way through a discography encapsulating 13 song list. This setlist featured the likes of ‘Cheyne Stokes’, ‘Dead Rose’, ‘My Damnation’, ‘Playing with Fire’, and ‘The Isnis’ just to give you an idea of the variety of tracks on display. Deathcore connoisseur and fellow Wall of Sound contributor Ricky Saul called the setlist elite, and I couldn't agree more. Vocalist Tom Barber’s goofy antics on stage made the gig feel like a huge party, which were perfectly balanced by masterful highs and dirty gutturals. Barber encouraged multiple mic grabs for what he described as “hidden talent" from fellow barrier simps, added to the chaos. Guitarist Stephen Rutishauser spoke with Wall of Sound prior to the tour about the variety of music Chelsea Grin make and play, and he demonstrated exceptional technique throughout bone crushing breakdowns and awe-inspiring riffs. The filthy riffs throughout the instrumentally focused track ‘Suffer In Hell, Suffer In Heaven’ were a highlight for me, as well as getting to witness Josh ‘Baby J' Miller tear it up on his first Aussie run with Chelsea Grin. You can’t help but wonder when Darko might hit the stage after seeing both members tear it up together, but for now I'm more than happy with their contributions to the live destruction they’ve wrought on this tour. Their set closed out with my all-time favourite Chelsea Grin track, ‘Recreant’. The crowd let loose during this crazy climax with crowd surfers and audience participation that brought one of the best deathcore performances this year to a satisfying conclusion.  

From crowd sing alongs to personal favourites like ‘Better Days’ and ‘Remember Me’ to the intricate and powerful melodies on tracks such as ‘A Flag to Wave’, Currents were in fine form throughout their set. The band performed earnestly and with power, as they gave their all to the adrenaline fuelled audience. Vocalist Brian Wille reiterated the sentiment of the rest of the lineup, saying that Melbourne’s crowd was the best on tour. The audience returned the energy that Currents gave, and provided a symbiotic expression of the love of music. Their insane set culminated in an onslaught of crowd surfers during ‘Apnea’, who at this point were aware of the show’s filming according to Brian. The footage is definitely going to be worth reliving in the future.  

Co-headline tours are extraordinary events. Both Chelsea Grin and Currents had satisfyingly long setlists, ensuring that fans were treated to full experiences. As the tour progresses, the headlining bands take turns closing each night, reinforcing the refreshing idea that the final act isn’t necessarily the one you’ve been waiting all evening for. This lineup in particular is so well-crafted, it feels like there’s two different synergies in play. Take HEAVENSGATE and Chelsea Grin, acts that intertwine a pounding sense of violence and go to war. Then you have Bloom and Currents, bands that ensure emotional impact is at the forefront of their performances via expertly crafted melodies and soul-wrenching cleans. This tour is a showcase of emotion and power, that incorporates local superstars and global mastery. As echoed by the bands, Melbourne’s date on the Chelsea Grin and Currents co-headline tour was a landmark moment in the heavy music calendar, and I guarantee you’re kicking yourself if you missed out on the greatness on display.

Review by Tyler Lubke.

Photo Gallery by Clinton Hatfield. Insta: @ampd.agency. Please credit Wall of Sound and Clinton Hatfield if you repost.