Currents // Chelsea Grin | 170 Russell
Utah’s Chelsea Grin and Connecticut’s Currents brought a massive co-headline bill to a sold-out 170 Russell in Melbourne on Friday night. As part of their near-sold out Australian tour, they were joined by stellar local supports, Sydney’s Bloom and Melbourne’s own Heavensgate, making for one of the heaviest and most emotionally charged lineups of 2025 so far.
Currents / Photo Credit: @andybromm
I’ve been a huge Chelsea Grin fan since the Recreant days with original vocalist Alex Koehler, and after missing them on multiple Aussie tours, there was no way I was letting this one pass me by. And wow, was it worth the wait.
Heavensgate were the perfect opener for the night, kicking off the show with pure intensity. Their set was an onslaught of harsh vocals, deep gutturals, low-tuned guitars, and thunderous drums and bass, balanced by brief but effective moments of melody. They're a band clearly destined for Australia’s biggest stages.
Next up, Bloom delivered a heavy yet emotionally charged performance that immediately connected with the crowd. Their stage presence and passionate delivery kept the energy high, especially with constant crowd callouts and an unexpected yet beautifully executed cover of Lizzy McAlpine’s ceilings, a standout moment that had the entire venue captivated.
Chelsea Grin / Photo Credit: @andybromm
From the moment Chelsea Grin launched into Hostage, the room erupted. There was no let-up in energy for the entire set. Tom Barber’s vocal range was jaw dropping, switching effortlessly between shrieking highs and cavernous lows. Guitarist Stephen Rutishauser’s fretwork was flawless, tight, technical, and brutal, while David Flinn (bass) and Josh Miller (drums) delivered a rhythm section that shook the venue to its foundations.
The setlist was a deathcore dream, spanning everything from their early Desolation of Eden material to fresh cuts off their double album Suffer in Hell / Suffer in Heaven. They closed with a thunderous rendition of fan favourite Recreant, bringing both nostalgia and chaos to the pit.
Currents closed out the night with a blistering, emotionally resonant performance. Their blend of melody, heaviness, and atmosphere hit every mark. Brian Wille commanded the stage with powerful vocals and crowd engagement, shining especially on Kill the Ache and The Death We Seek. Guitarists Chris Wiseman and Ryan Castaldi traded riffs with tight synergy, while Christian Pulgarin brought boundless energy on bass (plus solid backing vocals), and Matt Young hammered through the set with razor-sharp precision behind the kit.
170 Russell was treated to a genre-spanning heavy music showcase that proved just how alive and thriving both international and Australian deathcore/metalcore are in 2025. For longtime fans and first-timers alike, this was a gig that won’t soon be forgotten.
Chelsea Grin / Photo Credit: @andybromm