Words by: Belinda Quick
Photos by: Cameron Stemmler
‘Midway upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark, For the straightforward pathway had been lost…’ – Inferno, Canto I, Dante Alighieri.
It takes fortitude to forge, let alone STRAY FROM THE PATH. Arguably just reaching their zenith, the New Yorkers know better and, ‘if we can’t give our all, it’s time to walk it off’, and end the journey, saying goodbye on an insurmountable high.
As one legend bids farewell, another rises; DIAMOND CONSTRUCT becoming the foundational Hashira of the next generation. Enigmas all, the band founded by brothers Groundwater, Alex Mills’ candyfloss jumpsuit and iridescent bass dancing, project the power of Jynx. The Tareeans take and Hit It Back to the start of the decade, before fast forwarding under Neon pink to 2025’s undisputable hit single, Faded.
‘I tell you, you’ve got no idea what’s in store for you,’ Kynan Groundwater teases, inviting us to ignite the Deathparty. Animus spitting from his mouth and an atmosphere of Psychosis catalysed, ‘panic, pain and everything in between‘ echoes back from an adoring crowd. Groundwater’s question, ‘how many people have heard of us?‘ is surely rhetorical. Mark my words, whilst we’re here for good reason and goodbye tonight, Diamond Construct are Australia’s beholders of the heavy music succession plan.
Nashville’s musical reputation infamous, ORTHODOX annihilate any preconceptions of those who hail from that Sacred Place. The quintet’s guitar trio pound the chest, as frontman Adam Easterling encourages the moshpit to ignite, and Mike White strikes the Chyna cymbal. A universal symbol, prepare the Body Chalk and ready yourself; Searching for a Pulse, this is hardcore at its heaviest, heartiest finest.
Easterling holds an index finger to his lips. ‘It’s useless to ask whether anyone’s seen us, because it’s the first time we’ve been here’, the band lovingly check in with the fans on the barrier before violently launching into ‘one for the nu-metal kids‘, Head on a Spike. A Door Left Open for crowdsurfers to come forward, Orthodox refuse to Blend in with the Weak, and, with Godless Grace, incite a circlepit set to a soundtrack of wailing guitars and penetrating drumblasts.
Keep Your Blessings, driven men pave their own road. Debutantes in Adelaide, undoubtedly drafting their return trip ticket to relieve Austin Evans’s ‘favourite night of the tour’, our hometown is thrilled to discard the Dread Weight it sometimes carries. Oftentimes Waiting in its inevitable support of live music, no such worries exist tonight; the Lion Arts Factory’s walls threaten to Cave In from the latent heat and raw energy. And, yet, the main event is to begin.
Building the anticipation with socio-political calls to action, black gives way to checkerboard light in one last Kubrick Stare from Stray From The Path. Needful Things screaming in call-and-return, ‘are you in or in the way?’, the evergreen Andrew Dijorio conducts the audience as they beg, May You Live Forever, knowing that this is our fond farewell.
With no time to wait, Dijorio instructs the ‘loose units‘ to forge forward. High on Chest Candy, I Can’t Help Myself any longer, Craig Reynolds’ drumbeat triggering the Euthanasia switch; ‘send another victim to heaven’, for ‘Part III, ‘cuz fuck 1,2’.
‘No one can fuck with this… if you take anything home with you tonight, you are always welcome in this community!’ One and all united, empowered to keep going “more than 20 years later’,
To stand up for the disenfranchised, in the face of evil scream defiant, Goodnight Alt-Right.
Forever the agitator, Dijorio saunters and girates, the Shot Caller speaking in tongues and communicating via body language. ‘For this next song, I want you to imagine: picture everyone in this room, on this stage, is one fucking army’, and we are as arms outstretched in recreation of Iwo Jima. Reaching for our drill sergeant and Fortune Teller, ‘we don’t answer to anyone‘ except each other tonight.
‘A few years since we’ve been (and) the last time we’ll be in your beautiful city… Adelaide, do you think you can do something for me?’ Every moment of their career seemingly set and Clockworked for this moment, dozens upon dozens of crowdsurfers pour over the barricade as instructed. Not without respect to security staff, whose crossed arms say no but smiles suggest yes, these are the final opportunities for Australia to revel, before the Guillotine drops and Stray’s stage falls silent forever.
First World Problem Child issues to be sure, incomparable to the suffering of children across the globe living in poverty and oppression, Stray From The Path may have chosen to end this phase of their journey tonight. Yet, far from misdirection, this is a stride taken with strength in knowing; life is rarely straightforward but it is ours for the choosing.
Holding hands and steadying hearts, have faith – no matter how deep the forest dark, there’s light ahead, even for those who Stray From The Path.
DIAMOND CONSTRUCT
ORTHODOX
STRAY FROM THE PATH
