Maylene and the Sons of Disaster launched their July tour in Greenville, South Carolina, making the Radio Room the first stop of a five-date run through the Southeast. With support from Atomic Rule, Across Five Aprils, New Rituals, and hometown openers Reviler, the night featured a diverse lineup that blended Southern metal, hardcore, sludge, and metalcore from start to finish.
The show wasn’t sold out, but it certainly felt close by the end of the night. Fans continued filing into the venue throughout the evening, and by the time Across Five Aprils took the stage, the room had filled in nicely. The crowd kept growing as the night went on, creating an energetic atmosphere for every band.
Opening the evening was Reviler, a metalcore band from Greenville, South Carolina. While they may have been the least established act on this particular tour package, they represented the hometown crowd well. It’s always a challenge for an opening band to get a pit started when much of the audience is hearing the songs for the first time, but Reviler brought strong stage presence and plenty of energy from the moment they hit the stage. Even though they couldn’t quite get the crowd moving early, they made a solid first impression.
Next up was New Rituals, a hardcore band from Nashville, Tennessee. This was my first time seeing them live, and while you can tell they’re still developing their stage chemistry, the potential is obvious. I was told the band’s drummer formerly played with ’68, which explained why Josh Scogin was in attendance supporting the band. Their performance was aggressive, tight, and showed plenty of promise as they continue to grow.
Formed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 2001, Across Five Aprils built a loyal following during the early metalcore boom before disbanding in 2008. After reuniting several years ago, the band continues to perform select shows for longtime fans. Despite being around for more than two decades, this was my first opportunity to see them live.
Vocalist Steve Taylor joked with the audience that the band is getting older, only plays a handful of shows each year, and might be a little rusty since this was the first night of the tour. He also described the band’s music as “hardcore adjacent,” earning a few laughs from the crowd. If they were rusty, it certainly didn’t show. The band sounded polished and had a dedicated group of longtime fans singing every word. That enthusiasm spread through the room as more people joined in.
One of the most memorable moments of the night came when the band learned it was a young fan’s sixth birthday. Steve Taylor had the entire crowd wish the birthday boy a happy birthday before helping give him his very first crowd surfing experience, making sure it happened safely. It was a genuine moment that perfectly captured the community found within heavy music.
The biggest surprise of the evening for me was Atomic Rule. I had never heard the band before walking into the venue, but they quickly became one of the highlights of the night. The newer Southern sludge metal project features guitarist Andy Williams, best known for his work with Every Time I Die, and several fans were clearly familiar with him before the band even took the stage.
Musically, Atomic Rule was incredibly tight. Their songs are longer than your typical metalcore tracks, which fits perfectly with their sludgy, doom-influenced sound. Every riff had room to breathe while still maintaining momentum. Andy Williams reminded everyone why he has earned so much respect as a guitarist, delivering one impressive performance after another. More importantly, Atomic Rule became the first band of the night to truly ignite the audience, kicking off the evening’s first pit and crowd surfing.
When Maylene and the Sons of Disaster finally took the stage, the wait was well worth it. Dallas Taylor continues to prove why he remains one of the most respected frontmen in heavy music. Considering everything he has overcome throughout his career, it is remarkable to watch him perform with the same passion and intensity that helped establish the band’s reputation years ago.
Every member of Maylene and the Sons of Disaster attacked the stage with complete conviction. Their chemistry, confidence, and constant movement kept the audience engaged from beginning to end. The Southern rock swagger mixed with crushing metal riffs sounded as powerful as ever, while the band’s exceptional stage presence created a connection that only comes from years of earning loyal fans.
I also had the opportunity to film this performance while working with Soundlink Magazine (see the video below). Seeing the show from behind multiple cameras gave me an even greater appreciation for how much energy Maylene and the Sons of Disaster bring to the stage. Every member is fully invested in the performance, and that intensity translates directly to the audience.
Perhaps the most meaningful moment happened after the music stopped. Rather than disappearing backstage, Dallas Taylor stayed to meet fans, pose for photos, and spend time with everyone who wanted to say hello. It was especially encouraging to see him patiently taking pictures with young fans, creating memories they will likely never forget. Those simple moments often leave as much of an impression as the concert itself.
WATCH Maylene and the Sons of Disaster FULL SET Multi Cam
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster Photo Gallery
From local openers to veteran headliners, every band brought something different to the evening. Reviler represented Greenville well, New Rituals showed plenty of potential, Across Five Aprils reminded everyone why they’ve maintained a loyal following, Atomic Rule delivered the night’s biggest surprise, and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster closed everything with a performance that demonstrated exactly why they remain one of the defining names in Southern metal.
Sometimes a tour comes through town that reminds you why live music matters. This was one of those nights. From the hometown support to the veteran musicians on stage, the first stop of the tour set a high standard for the remaining dates. If this performance was any indication, the rest of the tour was in for one unforgettable ride.
