Not only did the metalcore pioneers fire up a near-capacity crowd at The Intersection, but a Local Spins photo of a blind fan crowd-surfing in their moshpit has earned widespread attention.
Inspiring Band, Inspiring Fan: Allendale’s Tony Gebhard proved during Killswitch Engage’s show at The Intersection that no disability “should stop you from getting in the pit.” (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Metalcore pioneers Killswitch Engage showcased this week why it’s still one of the genre’s top acts, uncorking a career-spanning set at The Intersection on Wednesday that saw band members flexing their metal might with brutal breakdowns juxtaposed against saccharine choruses that filled the room with sing-alongs.
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Firing Up the Fan Base: Killswitch Engage at The Intersection (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
In the process, they shed the spotlight on an exuberant blind fan whose crowd-surfing with his cane was captured by Local Spins photographer Anthony Norkus and, quickly, shared and viewed by thousands of fans via Facebook and Instagram.
“The attention from the picture gets me baffled slightly,” said Tony Gebhard, 19, of Allendale, a musician himself who considers himself “a huge supporter” of Killswitch Engage — a band he says has given him “such drive” to write and record music.
“I truly do feel honored but also very glad that the metal community can be inspired. No disability, whether it’s blindness, vision loss or loss of a limb should stop you from getting in the pit or fly above the audience toward a stage.”
Gebhard dynamically demonstrated that attitude in Norkus’ photo, which shows him being held aloft by fans and a bouncer at The Intersection during Wednesday’s show.
The attention includes being invited to make an appearance on WOOD TV 8 on Friday afternoon as part of the Grand Rapids station’s 5 p.m. news broadcast.
Mosh Pit Hero: Tony Gebhard at Wednesday’s show. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Gebhard, who’s been blind for 11 years and played in the band I Among Giants in high school, said he’s a multi-instrumentalist who’s currently looking for “the right group of guys” to continue his music career.
As for the show itself, Killswitch Engage roared out of the gates with “Strength of the Mind” off its newest album, “Incarnate,” which saw the band break into the Top 10 on the Billboard charts for the first time ever.
Vocalist Jesse Leach was all smiles as he took a moment early in the set to praise Gebhard, who was seen crowd surfing several times during the performance. Gebhard’s actions drew cheers from those in attendance and helped usher in a wave of other crowd surfers throughout the night.
Delving deep into its 17-year discography, Killswitch Engage — much like its counterparts in 36 Crazyfists — has a penchant for writing songs that will appeal to metalheads, but still tug at the heartstrings of listeners with impassioned messages of self-empowerment and lost love.
Exuberance: Killswitch Engage at The Intersection. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
No strangers to the Grand Rapids area, members of Killswitch Engage later were seen enjoying brews at Founders Brewing Co., and obliging fans with photos as well as making a pit stop at the Tin Can. One fan, Reese Mason, even brought a custom-made pizza complete with the bands logo on it from BC Pizza in Lowell.
Opening the night was 36 Crazyfists, which had the near-capacity crowd in the palm of its hands with its heartfelt brand of metal, and Memphis May Fire, which was well-represented by the younger demographic that came out to support the Dallas natives and keep the energy in the room at a fever pitch.
