LIVE REVIEW: BORN OF OSIRIS + SIGNS OF THE SWARM + IRONSTONE @ THE BRIGHTSIDE OUTDOORS 20/03/26

Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi Photos Charlyn Cameron

The evening was a heavy metal fan’s dream: as both young and old metal bands delivered across the Valley. It was great to see the outside stage at The Brightside hosting USA progressive metalcore titans Born Of Osiris, deathcore nu-metal rap aficionados Signs Of The Swarm and local Bendigo’s progressive metalcore outfit Ironstone. I have to say that the outside stage has a great look and vibe. The upstairs area is great and the mosh lives on the floor with added fresh air.

The local support Ironstone warmed up the stage with a tight six song set that commenced with ‘The Innocent Bleed’. The song forged a bold fusion of crushing breakdowns, extreme vocals, and technical rhythms. The following tracks ‘No Price To High’, and ‘Handsome Fee’ followed as the band layered their dynamic soundscape.

Ironstone (Edward Warren (vocals), Perry Warren (guitar), Remy Giuliani (guitar), Sam Angove (bass), and Jackson Whyte (drums)) demonstrated their instrumental prowess as it shone through in their intricate guitar work, basslines, and complex drumming in the tracks ‘Forge Me Anew’ and ‘Frogwarts’. They closed out their set with their 2025 single ‘Moments Lost In Time’. The band brought the right amount of heavy with the right amount of melody. The large crowd appreciated the set.

There was a 40-minute reset as the stage was made ready for Signs Of The Swarm. The crowd swelled.

Signs Of The Swarm have a unique sound. They merge and blend an aggressive mix of death metal, rap, slam, and hardcore. The band ripped right from the get-go, with vocalist David Simonich, goading the crowd into putting on some more energetic displays in the pit as the mosh started straight away as ‘To Rid Myself of Truth’, ‘Hell Must Fear Me’, and ‘Natural Selection’ were performed.

Signs Of The Swarm is an American deathcore band that formed in 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band consists of; David Simonich (vocals), Carl Schultz (guitarist), Miceeal Cassese (bassist), and Bobby Crow (drummer). Their crushingly heavy guitar riffs powered through the venue as ‘Scars Upon Scars’, ‘Chariot’, and the primal ‘I Won’t Let You Die’ were delivered with energetic brutal vocals and it made for an intense experience.

The energy the band gave off only made the crowd’s response more energetic and chaotic. The tracks ‘Tower of Torsos’, ‘Creator’, and ‘Sarkazein’ showed their ability to effortlessly weave tight and brutal riffs with epic and melodic grooves. Signs Of The Swarm closed out their ten track set with ‘Amongst the Low & Empty’ and the place went crazy.

Then, there was another stage reset. The stagehands, sound mixing desk and production got ready and then the crowd started moving to the front of the stage for Born Of Osiris. I came in and took my place in a special space where I could see.

The crowd waited patiently in the evening heat as the venue went dark. Then, the opening drums of ‘Bow Down’ thundered through the venue and the mosh was set off. It was an absolutely crushing opening that set the tone for the rest of the set. The crowd bounced and headbanged along to the music. Without much chat, Born Of Osiris: Cameron Losch (drums), Ronnie Canizaro (vocals), and Nick Rossi (bass) alongside new additions Travis Montgomery (guitar) and Dan Marinaro (bass) delivered ‘Elevate’, ‘Follow the Signs’ and ‘Empires Erased’.

The production values around the 16-song set were beautiful as was the lighting. And, the song ‘Abstract Art’ really explained it all. Born Of Osiris then, performed ‘Angel or Alien’, ‘A Mind Short Circuiting’, and ‘In Desolation’. It was a constant flow of sound and light that left the crowd mesmerised and energised. All five members of the band played with so much purpose, and the mosh pit on the floor responded.

Throughout the set, Born Of Osiris demonstrated their skill and precision, with their complex guitar work, intricate rhythms, and tight drumming. The mix of harsh and clean vocals added variety without slowing the momentum, and the band shifted smoothly between fan favourites and newer material. The band moved confidently through a mix of tracks from ‘Regenerate’, ‘Recreate’ and ‘Devastate’ that got the pit going.

The track ‘Singularity’ was terrific with its guitar riffs as the energy from the crowd and the band went through the roof. The frantic strobe lights added to the impact, making the performance feel bigger than the space itself. Cameron Losch stepped out from behind the kit on two occasions to chat on the mic and hand out a drumstick- there just seemed to be no egos at all at the end of ‘Ascension’, and ‘Machine’.

The band snuck off the stage. The crowd chanted for more music and then were going to be at full force. So, Born Of Osiris obliged, hitting us with ‘Automatic Motion’, ‘Two Worlds of Design’, and ‘Machine’. Born Of Osiris closed the night in style, proving why they’re such seasoned pros in progressive metal and metalcore.

The Brightside offered heavy metal fans a great snapshot of modern heavy music, from brutal slams to progressive complexity. Ironstone, Signs Of The Swarm, and Born Of Osiris delivered polished, memorable sets that left the night feeling cohesive, exciting and thoroughly satisfying.