[GIG REVIEW] In Hearts Wake + Ocean Sleeper + Reliqa + Inertia@Chelsea Heights Hotel 21.02.25

Author: Mal Keecher

Photo: Mal Keecher

Founded in Byron Bay, 2006, In Hearts Wake are evidently seasoned performers like their coastal counterparts Parkway Drive, possessing a discography that spans 2012's Divination LP, to their most recent– 2024's Incarnation.

Playing a raucously riveting set, IHW performed to an uplifted and gratified Chelsea Heights audience, reiterating to fans that they are the epitome of when hard work meets talent.

We were also honoured with the addition of top- tier supports Ocean Sleeper, Reliqa and Inertia.

Having arrived early looking forward to witnessing Inertia just after 7p.m, it was John Farnham's 'You're The Voice' that lightly enthused the small amount of fans assembled two rows deep at the front. Upping the ante, the PA dished out Survivor's 'Eye Of The Tiger' to sprinkle a little more anticipation as we waited for the opening band–Sydney metalcore powerhouse, Inertia.

The PA delivered another intermission staple– Queen's 'Another One Bites The Dust' which set an upbeat tone then Cold Chisel's 'When The War Is Over' instilled a false sense of ease onto this crowd. Conversely, Ol' mate Jimmy just announced an Australian 'Defiant’ tour' slated for six shows in June 2025.

Photo: Mal Keecher

Unsurprisingly, metalcore mania erupted shortly after Inertia appeared on stage. These guys are top-tier and possess the capacity and talent to embark on their own headline tour, which they are– their Second Shadow tour in April.

A dramatic and almost ominous introduction primed us for what followed. Vocalist Julian Latouche quickly insisted "off your feet, let's go!". This metalcore train had departed, led by Julian's powerful presence and the band's tenacious energy on tracks including 'Leviathan' and 'Dying To Let You Go'. In true frontman fashion, Julian urged "keep up that energy, we're not gonna stop", before launching into 'Dominion' which was akin to a thrilling and thunderous ride.

Julian attested that "every band tonight is going to blow your mind"- and on the whole, he was right.

Inertia were evidently the antithesis of their name, jumping into action from the moment Julian's vocals pervaded the room. Next up was 'Parallels', and Julian asked the audience to "help me sing this one", an emotively moving melody.

"Chelsea Heights, I need to see you bounce...off your feet!" Julian yelled pressingly as they swung into the title track off Second Shadow. Julian insisted that the crowd "push it back" as a pit opened up, encouraging the crowd at every turn.

Inertia worked their way through such thrilling songs as 'Devil You Know' and 'Dominion' before drummer Sebastian Schaber donated his sticks to eager audience members. This was all by 8p.m.

The Clash's 'Rock The Casbah' sounded over the PA before second support Reliqa graced the stage.

Elton John's 'I'm Still Standing' provided a seemingly intentional observation of what everyone was doing.

"This is our first time playing this particular part of Melbourne", Reliqa vocalist Monique Pym notes. "This room's nice and warm, but I wanna see it get nice and hot!" Monique urges, before launching into 'Killstar (The Cold World)' from their debut album Secrets of the Future. This gem showcased the band's, and indeed Monique Pym's, technical and varied abilities.

Photo: Mal Keecher

The always engaging Monique eased into 'Keep Yourself Awake' while energizing the vibe with a resonating and clear chest voice. Reliqa have evidently honed their craft with regular touring and having witnessed their progressive metal charm on Froth & Fury 2024 in Adelaide, they also added to the heat on that extensive line-up of metal.

Monique presented some poetic spoken word lyrics on 'The Flower' and they rounded out with 'Physical'. By 8:40p.m. Reliqa was finishing up their set and Natalie Imbruglia's 'Torn' played over the PA.

Prior to main support Ocean Sleeper, intermission tunes ranged from 'Billie Jean' to 'Come On Eileen' then ACDC's 'Highway To Hell', and by 9p.m Bowie's 'Let's Dance' was an invitation to the stationary souls to get moving, to no avail.

We were five minutes ahead of schedule when main support– Gippsland metalcore band Ocean Sleeper quickly showed that they were going to be a formidable force across the night. Their single 'Heaven' from 2024's Maybe Death Is All I Need highlighted for the first of several times, Ionei Heckenberg's solid co-lead vocals.

Lead vocalist Karl Spiessl incentivised the crowd and essentially gave the green light for enthused fans to stir up the pit, then the flailing hands and karate kicks began. "Open this pit up!" Karl beseeched to his followers–and the circle swelled with a smattering of keen folks, while many took two steps back and observed, reveling vicariously from afar. This blended into 'Light In My Dark' wherein Karl showcased his ability to instantly change pitch and tempo with deep jarring vocals and the crowd echoed the chorus as Inertia vocalist Julian Latouche also featured.

Their 2019 album Don’t Leave Me This Way is an admirable accomplishment and so was the performance of 'Hate Me Like You Mean It'.

Karl announced that Ocean Sleeper will also be embarking on their own headline tour "in two weeks" and then launched into 'King Of Nothing' as a crowd surfer almost got up, and perhaps fittingly, 'Forever Sinking' played out thereafter.

Bon Jovi's 'Livin' On A Prayer' rang out shortly before the energetic and invigorating In Hearts Wake invaded the eardums and obliterated any semblance of doubt with the wildly entertaining 'Hellbringer' which had the addition of visceral vocals by Karl Spiessl.

'Earthwalker' was especially invigorating as frontman Jake Taylor yelled "jump, jump, jump, jump!" and Monique from Reliqa bounded onto stage to sing the clean parts while the crowd whipped into a frenzy.

After the preceding blitz through various hits, Jake embraced a moment and concurrently espoused ideas regarding technology's influx into our everyday lives. These were welcome sentiments, before the band played on with 'Gen Doom (The Hierophant)' 'Worldwide Suicide' and 'Orphan (The Devil)'. Ironically, when the pit opened up, many stood on the outside, with phones recording, myself included.

In Hearts Wake brought forth a downpour and deluge with 'The Flood (Justice)', a personal favourite that hits home for the band both metaphorically and literally. "Outlive, outlast!" were shouts of conviction that also adorned IHW's merch worn by Jake Taylor tonight.

Photo: Mal Keecher

'Survival (The Chariot)' with its unmistakable and enthralling guitar riff intro from 2012s Divination and the heartfelt conviction of shouts "we, will survive!" are more memories from tonight's event that had me basking in the ‘afterglow’ for days after.

At the conclusion of this show tonight, In Hearts Wake had successfully completed fifteen shows encompassing their eighteen date east coast Incarnation Summer Tour 2025.

This tour includes a well-deserved break, then they're back at it with rescheduled shows slated for March in Cairns and Townsville. Tickets and info from https://daltours.cc/InHeartsWake