On Friday, December 19th, From Ashes to New held a sold-out hometown show at Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center, and it felt like one of those nights people will still be talking about months from now. The doors barely had time to open before the room filled, and it was obvious early on that this wasn’t just another tour stop. This was Pennsylvania showing up for its own.
Being there as a fellow local meant that this wasn’t just a show I was covering, but a room full of shared roots, shared history, and the kind of support that only comes from a hometown crowd that’s grown alongside these bands.
Philadelphia’s Twist It kicked off the night and wasted absolutely no time making themselves known. Their blend of pop and metal leans modern and djent-influenced. It’s heavy, confident, and built to grab you by the collar right out of the gate.
Frontwoman Kayla Hallman led the charge with commanding vocals, backed by guitarist Logan Smith, and drummer Sara Higgins. Their onstage chemistry was impossible to miss. From the jump, it was clear they were the right band to open a night like this.
If I had to pick a standout moment, "Undertow" easily sits at the top of my favorites from their set! It was a true banger that had the crowd locked in from start to finish. Their stage presence was an insane way to start the night, setting the tone for everything that followed.
Their latest single, “Runaway,” is also worth a listen. It captures that suffocating pull between wanting out and feeling trapped, and it hits hard live and recorded.
Next up were Harrisburg metalcore locals What Lies Below, a band with deep roots in the local scene and a fanbase that shows up loud every time. Their mix of crushing heaviness and clean, melodic vocals hits even harder live.
For fans of emotionally driven metalcore with a progressive edge, this set was a standout. The pit stayed alive, people screamed along to every word, and the room never lost momentum. During the peak of their set, I jumped into the pit myself and watched crowd surfers of all ages make their way to the front again and again. It was one of those moments that sticks with you.
The band consists of vocalist Andrew Watson, guitarist and vocalist Mike Watson, bassist Zach Erickson, guitarist Sam Hart, and drummer Jonah Luteman. Together, their sound feels both intentional and chaotic in the best way possible. Earlier in 2025, they released three new songs, all of which brought a fresh intensity to their live set and hinted at what’s coming next.
If Not For Me followed, and they proved once again why they’re a staple in the Pennsylvania metalcore scene. Featuring Hayden Calhoun on guitar, Patrick Glover on vocals, Cody Frain on drums, and Zac Allen on bass, their set was tight, emotional, and heavy without losing its melodic core.
They opened with “Retrograde,” one of my current favorites, and it translated seamlessly to the live setting. The mix of clean and harsh vocals, layered instrumentation, and driving rhythms kept the crowd fully engaged from start to finish.
Saving the loudest reaction for last, From Ashes to New took the stage to a roar that filled the room the second they appeared. The hometown heroes fed off that energy immediately, and the connection between band and crowd was impossible to miss.
Formed in Lancaster, PA, From Ashes to New has grown into a major force in modern rock and metal, blending hard rock, metal, hip-hop influences, and emotionally-driven lyrics. The band features Danny Case and Matt Brandyberry on vocals, Jimmy Bennett and Lance Dowdle on guitar, and Maty Madiro on drums.
From the first note to the last, the set felt massive but still personal. Sing-alongs echoed through the venue, and there was a shared sense of pride in the room. One of the most meaningful moments for me was hearing “Through It All,” the first song I ever heard by the band back when they were just starting to rise locally. Singing along with the crowd felt full-circle.
This show was a reminder of how strong the Pennsylvania music scene really is. From local openers to hometown headliners, every band brought something special to the stage.
Walking out at the end of the night, it didn’t feel like I had just covered a concert. It felt like home. And nights like this are exactly why this scene continues to thrive.
