Don’t let its size fool you. Although The Pinhook is on the smaller side of venues in North Carolina, it can still pack an outstanding show. Having gone into this one completely blind, I’ve come out of the experience with many new bands to listen to, including a talented three-piece act from Raleigh to watch out for.
This show was headlined by memoria, a metalcore band from Denton, Texas. Supporting acts included hynoki, an emoviolence group from Richmond, Virginia, and a pair of NC screamo bands in doshinthegiant (Boone) and Sesame (Raleigh). The bill was full, and the people were ready. It didn’t take long for the mosh pits to open with people pushing and shoving.
hynoki were up first and did not disappoint. It was their first out-of-state show, but if they were nervous, it didn’t show at all. They played many songs from their catalogue, like “Phasmophobia”. Throughout their set, I witnessed an insane vocal performance, electrifying guitar riffs, heavy thumping bass lines, and intense drums. The crowd didn’t let the environment go to waste and were headbanging a couple of minutes into their first song.
After they finished up, Sesame took the stage. Their setlist featured songs from their most recent album, I Will Turn, I Will, I Will, like “Ends” and “Always Wrong, Open Wide”. This was the band that surprised me the most from the initial lineup. I’ve been searching for a good screamo band from North Carolina for ages. Having listened to songs like “wehaveeachother” on their Bandcamp, I was excited to see them live and feel that energy transfer to the stage.
Zeo Benedetti delivered an awe-inspiring vocal performance, which left nothing on the table. Ashton Lundi put their all into the drumming, providing a strong support for Aiden Sheehan on the bass to complete the set with their low but ever-present, looming bassline. I didn’t know what to expect when I purchased a ticket, but only a few seconds into this performance confirmed to me that I made the right choice.
memoria surprised everyone by coming on next.. With this being their last show of tour (and knowing they’d saved the best for last in North Carolina), they finished off strong with an insane performance. The mosh pits were going crazy only a few minutes in, with a pit taking up the majority of the floor shoving and moshing in unison like a well-oiled machine.
They played songs from their self-titled album like “found hope in Providence” and “Easter Sunday”. The screams layered on top of some insane shredding from both guitarists, banging bassline and exhilarating drums makes for a truly unique sound that may fly over some heads, but resonate deeply with many others.
Finally, the last band to take the stage doshinthegiant. Some of their individuality and uniqueness that sets them apart from other acts in the same genre is the keyboardist. Their setlist reenergized the building and kept it up throughout the night as punches were thrown and bodies were shoved. Playing their most popular songs, and underrated hits they finished the night off strong.
If you have the chance to catch any of these bands live I’d definitely recommend you pick up a ticket or two to support and enjoy some great live music.
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