Like Moths To Flames Gets Weird In Dallas

The one and only Like Moths To Flames came to Dallas this week on their 2025 headliner. Along for the ride was Kingdom of Giants, Acres, and Heavensgate. I doubt LMTH had a clue how weird Dallas could get. We might be on the same level as Portland, OR. I think WE gave them a night to remember.

Heavensgate

Heavensgate opened up the stage and got the energy in the room pumping. They're from Melbourne, Australia, and are considerably new. I hear they've quickly made a name for themselves in the local hardcore music scene. They had a dark ambience, with low lighting, deep hardcore breakdowns, emotional lyrics, and a modern edge. Check out their new EP, A Heart Is A Heavy Burden, on your favorite streaming platform. I look forward to seeing them grow in Australia and across the U.S. from this tour!

My mom brain--I can't locate the set list I notated, that their bassist kindly shared with me, but I'll do you a solid and leave their Spotify below.

Acres

Acres, from the U.K., took the stage next. They're a post-hardcore/metalcore band, and I can definitely say that I'm a new fan of their music. A cool thing about concert photography is never running out of new bands to discover! They will be touring in 2026 with Fit For A King and Memphis May Fire, for the Lonely God Tour. If you're a fan of those bands, I highly suggest you check them out if you have yet to hear them!

Acres got the audience crowd-surfing, headbanging, and moshing to the music quickly. You can check out their newest album release, The Host, on Spotify below!

"Bloodlust" was a personal favorite of mine. It has a dynamic sound with synths, percussion, and epic guitar riffs. Their music is complex and cinematic with a darker element to the lyrics. Here are the bangers they played live if you want to give them a listen:

Set List: Different Shade Of Misery, Built To Bleed, Push Me Away, My Everything, Nothing, Bloodlust, Leave You To Rot.

Kingdom Of Giants

Kingdom Of Giants from Northern California were up next. I'm from Southern California, so I have a bit of a soft spot for bands from my home state. They have an evolved sound, which carries well, both live and in the studio. Like most metalcore bands, they don't shy away from tougher subjects in their lyrics. Lyrical themes vary from battling intrusive thoughts, emotional weight and choices, questioning religious beliefs, and dealing with loss. They often use physical metaphors like drowning, burning, rebuilding, and so forth. I love how this genre of music uses intense imagery through the lyrics, and can come across as heavy and aggressive, but it's actually quite: uplifting, honest, raw, and can lead toward personal healing and growth.

Kingdom Of Giants released their latest EP, Burning Chrome, just a few months ago, in August 2025, following their 2024 EP, Bleeding Star.

My personal favorites from their set were "Collide" and "Digital Hell." The most memorable moment was the toddler crowd-surfing from his mom and dad in the front of the crowd, to the stage where singer, Dana Willax, held him for a few beats.

Set List: Asphalt, Wasted Space, Bleach, Collide, Burner, Smoke, Night Shift, Digital Hell, and Wayfinder.

Like Moths To Flames

Rounding out the night, the headliner, Like Moths To Flames, took the stage. Dedicated fans filled the room and cheered as they walked on stage. Somehow, all the men unanimously decided to poke fun at lead singer, Chris Roetter, all night, which added a bit of comedy to the evening. If I didn’t know any better, I might have thought I walked into a burlesque show. Fans chanted for Chris to take his shirt off after each song without relent until he decided to appease the crowd. Chris was very engaging with the audience, with banter flying back and forth from stage to crowd. The room echoed with not only aggressive riffs, loud drums, and Chris’s combination of gritty, harsh, and clean vocals, but also with barking sounds from the crowd with fists raised. Dallas may have won the award for weirdest fan base for Like Moths To Flames thus far this tour. With barking cheers, stripping chants for more clothing to be removed, and dollars being thrown at Chris and band members, the night was something to remember.

Memorable moments from their set were the sing-along, “Salting The Earth,” their new single that released two weeks prior to this show, and of course all of the banter back and forth. LMTF was surprised with how well Dallas sang along to the new song; every voice was raised and singing word for word.

I was bummed I didn't hear the famous, "Blegh," sound throughout their set. I assure you Chris does an amazing one! Go right now, and listen to "Bury Your Pain," to get your fill of the dope "Blegh" sound by Chris Roetter.

Like Moths To Flames didn't even have to vacate the stage to hear cheers and requests for one more song. So, in his typical crowd-engaging ways, Chris had the audience pick the final song with a screaming competition. The song with the loudest cheers was the winner, and between 1) "You Will Be Missed," or 2) "GNF" the crowd clearly chose "GNF" to complete the night. With fans' promises to go heavy, and go F*cking crazy, the riffs took over the room.

I think it's clear, metalcore fans cultivate a unique atmosphere, that stands out from most other genres of music. The bands and crowd feed off each other's energy, creating a bit of chaos that also feels like community. The support toward the bands, the banter, aggressive energy, and mosh pit dancing — with its cathartic relief — create a tribe of people who somehow pulse to the same beat for the evening. In the end, the night wasn't just a show, but rather a group of friends and strangers alike, taking a few hours away from the stress of life to just, dance, sing, scream, and release.

Set List: Habitual Decline, Over The Garden Wall, Nowhere Left To Sink, The Anatomy Of Evil, Salting The Earth, My Own Personal Hell, Angels Weep, I Solemnly Swear, Even God Has A Hell, The Preservation of Hate, Burn In Water Drown In Flame, What Do You See?, Bury Your Pain, and GNF.