BAD OMENS

Castle Theatre - Bloomington, Illinois | August 31st, 2022

Written by: Brandi Lyn

---

Bad Omens w/ Avoid and Of Virtue

Bad Omens is an American Metalcore / Alternative band from Richmond, Virginia. Consisting of Singer Noah Sebastian, Guitarist and Vocalist Joakim Karlsson “Jolly”, Bassists Nicholas Ruffilo, and Drummer Nick Folio.

Forming in 2015 under the name CHLDRN (pronounced “Children”), later changing it to Bad Omens, which was going to be the title of their song that is now known as 'Glass Houses'.

In 2016 Bad Omens released their first self-titled album under Sumerian Records. The debut album revolves around addiction, mental health, life struggles, and despair. In an interview with Sumerian Records, singer Noah Sebastian talked about their track ‘The Worst In Me’.

“It's about a very intense and unhealthy relationship I was in, but we wrote it in a format that's universal to all bad habits. More specifically, it's something you can't let go of even though it's not good for you, whether it's a relationship, a drug problem, or a terrible situation. You're addicted.” - Noah Sebastian

In 2019, they released their second album, Finding God Before God Finds Me, with their songs ‘Limits’ and ‘Never Know’, hitting the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs Chart.

Numerous times, the band has been compared to Bring Me the Horizon — in particular, their singer, Oliver Sykes. With Noah and Oliver having a similar screaming style.

In 2020, Bad Omens announced their first US headlining Tour — but coming to an end when the world shut down due to COVID. 

In 2022, Bad Omens released their newest album The Death of Peace of Mind. With this new Bad Omens era also came a new look for Noah — Cutting off his signature long hair, as well as his new onstage attire. Dressing in a long-sleeved black turtleneck topped with a black trench coat, black pants, and black pointed-toe dress shoes.

When the world started moving again and bands were able to travel and perform safely, Bad Omens opened up for a variety of artists such as, Ice Nine kills, Underøath, In This Moment, A Day To Remember, and more.

Announcing in August their headlining tour A Tour of the Concrete Jungle with Dayseeker, Make Them Suffer, and Thousand Below — But not before making a few stops before with a self-titled tour with special guest AVOID and Of Virtue.

Once the doors finally opened, fans gathered into the Castle Theatre — filling the venue with over 630 people, packed front to back.

Of Virtue

Of Virtue, a metalcore band from Michigan, hit the stage around 7:30 PM. The band consists of Singer Tyler Ennis, Bassists and Vocalist Damon Tate, drummer Ryan Trinh, and Guitarist Derek McClung, filling in for Michael Valadez.

Once they were on stage the band brought energy to the crowd, with mosh pits opening up as the band performed. Utilizing the entire stage to their advantage. During their song ‘Cold Blooded’, the crowd held their phones' flashlights in the air and waved them side to side.

At one point during the show, the singer Tyler Ennis ended up hurting his already dislocated shoulder. Quickly, he ran backstage to get help with putting it back in place before returning to the stage to continue the show as if nothing had happened.

The band stayed interactive with the crowd, asking them to shout, “Thanks for nothing” (The lyrics and title of their next song), whenever the microphone was held towards them. Tyler made his way into the middle of the crowd and held out the microphone for the crowd to shout the lyrics.

After finishing their song, Tyler told the crowd to chant “Bad Omens” as loud as they could, making sure Bad Omens could hear the crowd from upstairs in the green room. Before they exited the stage, they asked the crowd to gather close so they could get a photograph together.

"It's always a pleasure to be back in Bloomington, IL, where we haven't played The Castle Theatre in over ten years. The last time we were there, it was to about 50 people, and this time to over 600. It's a surreal experience. Special shout out to AVOID, whose energy is unmatched, and of course, the rising stars in Bad Omens, as we are watching history in the making, and we are humbled to be a part of it." - Damon Tate / Of Virtue

AVOID

Up next, AVOID made their way to the stage. Instantly giving all of their energy, with the crowd giving just as much back. The singer, Benny, ran back and forth on the stage jumping around and hyping up the crowd.

This 5-piece band included Singer Benny Scholl, Guitarist Chris Echols, Nick Olson, Bassist Luke Ryder, and Drummer Paul Jaton.

During their song ‘Flashbang!’, Benny told the crowd to open up a pit. Once the heavy beat of the drums dropped, the crowd began to run and push at each other. While performing ‘COWABUNGA’, Benny jumped into the crowd and began to crowd-surf. The crowd screamed as they held him up and pushed him around, helping to push him back towards the stage as he continued to sing.

Throughout the show, Benny kept the energy up. Dancing around onstage and interacting with the crowd. At one point during the show, He made his way to the balcony. He asked the crowd to get as low as they could and to jump up on his say. The crowd sang along as they waited for his permission to start jumping. “Bloomington, get the fuck up”, he shouted, and the crowd jumped as high as they could, creating another mosh pit.

Bad Omens

The lights went down, and the crowd pulled out their phones, ready to record for when Bad Omens came out. When the intro to ‘Death of Peace of Mind’ started and Noah walked in from the shadows, the crowd screamed and cheered. During the bridge of the song, Noah welcomed the crowd, “Friends, welcome back to Bad Omens Cult”.

Once the song ended, the lights went dark, and Noah left the stage. Adding another intro to their next song, ‘Artificial Suicide’. Once the band started playing, Noah walked back onstage wearing his black ski mask. The crowd jumped and screamed, creating a mosh pit in the middle of the crowd.

Throughout the whole show, Bad Omens had everyone singing along to each song. Playing songs mostly from their newest album Death of Peace of Mind, with songs like ‘Death of Peace of Mind’, ‘Artificial Suicide’, ‘The Grey’, ‘Nowhere to Go’, ‘Like A Villain’, ‘What Do You Want From Me’, and ‘Just Pretend’. As well as playing songs from their 2016 self-titled album and their 2019 album Finding God Before God Finds Me — Playing ‘Never Know’, ‘Glass Houses’, ‘Limits’, ‘The Worst In Me’, ‘Exit Wounds’, and ‘Dethrone’ as their encore.

“Y’all like to go fucking hard”, Noah said during the last verse of ‘Nowhere To Go’, “You wanna go harder with us motherfuckers? With whatever space you have, make more”.

The crowd obliged and made room for a mosh pit on both sides of the stage. “Not yet,” Noah said, “We’re still building this shit. More space, make some more space. We’re gonna tear this shit down.”

He began singing the next verse, “Tell me what’s mine and tell me what’s yours”, and once they got to the breakdown, Noah screamed the lyrics, “and why I never, ever got a fucking say”. The pits on both sides went nuts — running and jumping into each other.

Before performing their song ‘Limits’, Noah said, “This next song is arguably our most singalongable song — If you will. If you don’t know the words, I’m gonna teach you the words of the melody, and we’re gonna sing together.”

“If you're throwing me to the lions, you should know I'm not scared of dying. I wouldn't take back one thing I did, one word I said. But I'm gonna make you wish you did.”

“You know it, let’s go,” Noah said, and the band began to perform the song. Once they got to the final chorus of the song, Noah says, “Alright, my friends, I think we all know this shit by now if we didn’t already. So I wanna hear every mother fucker in this room at the top of their lungs. I wanna hear your voices”. With the crowd singing along, finishing the song.

Before performing their next song, Noah stopped to talk to the crowd. Asking everyone how they were doing. He then brought up their new headlining tour, A Tour of the Concrete Jungle. Saying they weren’t fully sure what songs they were gonna put on the setlist for this tour, and they needed the fans' help deciding.

“We haven’t fully decided yet, what songs we’re gonna put on the setlists for said tour, so in a way these few shows we’re doing, on this little run here, you’re kind of the experiment — the “lab rats” if you will. If that’s okay. Cause we’re gonna play an old one that, in my opinion, we’re kind of tired of playing. However, it is a popular song, and you gotta give the folks what they want, right? With that said, if we’re gonna play this shit, I need you to sing and scream at the top of your lungs. You gotta make it fun for us. For the sake of the people coming to that tour, their fate lies in your hands tonight with this fucking song.” Noah said, and the band began to perform their song ‘The Worst In Me’.

After the song ended Noah asked the crowd if they could go without it. The crowd cheered in response, saying they had to perform it.

“My friends, the night has been so fucking special, it’s been amazing. Thank you all so much for coming out tonight. It means the world to all of us. Our team, our crew, everyone here — thank you so much. Make some noise for yourselves.” Noah said and added that the next song, ‘Just pretend’, would be their last.

“This will be our last song, and if you know the words, I wanna hear this whole room sing. If there’s any song you can sing to, it’s this one.”

Once they ended the song, the band left the stage, leaving fans screaming to come back and play one more song. Once Noah walked back on stage, the crowd knew the show wasn’t over. With the rumbling of their next song playing on the sound system, the rest of the band walked back to their places onstage. Announcing their next song was “Dethrone”.

“Bloomington! Fucking move!” Noah screamed into the mic, and the mosh pits began to form one last time. With the crowd screaming along to every lyric, and Noah ending the night with one last growl.

The Crowds Perspective

“For a Wednesday night, the energy was absolutely insane. Of Virtue and Avoid did a great job of getting everyone hyped, and the Bad Omens set list was awesome.” - Emily Nurczyk

“Bad Omens put on one hell of a show on 8/31. In the couple of times I've seen them, they’ve always had a great performance. I'm so glad to have been able to see them perform again! I definitely plan on going to The Concrete Jungle Tour.” - Brooke Oesterle

“I’ve been a fan since they first started, and seeing their progression and growth as a band is so amazing, and they deserve it! They’re all so sweet and talented. The shows have been nothing but insane!” - Christin Polhill

“The band honestly gave me some Bring Me the Horizon vibes. Already seen them twice in concert. The first time I seen them, I had never even heard of them and they blew me away. Their music is so good and Noah's vocals are so clean its amazing” - Logan Johnson

“When people ask me what “what song saved you?” I respond with Limits by Bad Omens. Not only are the vocals and melody beautiful, but so are the lyrics. The lyrics are so deep and meaningful to me that I cry and get goosebumps every time this song plays.” Marisol Velazquez

We traveled from Chicago to see the show. Wasn’t too worried if we missed Of Virtue but ended up making it in time and they did not disappoint, they put on a great show. We wanted to see AVOID and they lived up to the hype. It’s like a party on stage, they rocked. It was my third time seeing Bad Omens and I just can’t get enough of them. They have some of the best sounding live music out of the 50+ concerts I’ve been to. However, the vibes of the crowd totally made the concert. Even with the opening bands, the crowd was into it the entire time. We were singing, dancing, screaming or even crying (well maybe not everyone, but I was crying) during the entire set. It pumped the band up, which pumped us up even more, and that cycle just kept going. The vibes were it. The show fucking rocked." - Amanda Bell