Gojira Mastodon and Lorna Shore Live at Ledge Amphitheater

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Their live shows are intense! Lorna Shore has built a reputation for putting on a brutal and electrifying live performance, especially with their deathcore sound that combines technical skill with sheer intensity.

Their shows usually feature a mix of crushing breakdowns, blast beats, and ferocious growling vocals from Will Ramos. The crowd is often wild, moshing and going crazy to songs like “To the Hellfire” and “Of the Abyss.” There’s always an insane level of energy, and the atmosphere is dark, almost otherworldly, especially with the complex arrangements of their music. The band’s musicianship, particularly on the guitar and drums, is next-level, and they don’t shy away from showing off their technical prowess.

Will Ramos is known for his powerful stage presence—his ability to control a crowd with his guttural growls and intense delivery is one of the standout features. They also have this visual aesthetic that really matches the intensity of their sound, often using atmospheric lighting and stage effects that make the whole experience feel like you’re being swallowed by their music.

A Mastodon concert is always an unforgettable experience. The band is renowned for their incredible musicianship, blending progressive metal, sludge, and elements of hard rock in a way that feels both intricate and massive. If you’ve ever seen them live, you know their performances feel like an immersive journey through their unique soundscapes.

At a Mastodon show, the energy is usually through the roof, but what really stands out is how the band manages to balance the heavy and the melodic. Tracks like “Oblivion,” “Blood and Thunder,” or “Curl of the Burl” always get the crowd going with those massive riffs and infectious grooves. Yet, even during the heavier moments, there’s this intricate, almost ethereal quality to the way they play, especially on songs from albums like Crack the Skye or The Hunter.

Brent Hinds (guitar/vocals), Troy Sanders (bass/vocals), Bill Kelliher (guitar), and Brann Dailor (drums/vocals) each bring something unique to the live show. Hinds is the wild card—his stage presence is chaotic and magnetic, while Sanders has this understated intensity, and Dailor is a machine behind the kit. The way they all harmonize vocally is another part of the live experience that really stands out. It’s rare for a band to blend multiple vocal styles and still sound so cohesive, but Mastodon pulls it off with ease.

The sound is always spot-on, with the heavy riffs coming through clean and crisp but never losing the raw power that defines their music. The visuals usually match the expansive nature of their music too—so there’s always some cool lighting or visual effects that complement the mood of the songs. During a song like “The Czar,” for example, the pacing of the light shows and visuals matches the song’s progression from soft, ambient moments to bombastic, technical ones.

And for the fans? They’re loyal and loud, feeding off the band’s energy, which makes the whole experience feel communal. There’s this sense of being transported into the music, where everyone in the crowd is locked into the same groove, whether it’s headbanging to “Show Yourself” or just soaking in the more expansive, prog-y sections of tracks like “Stargasm.”

Seeing Gojira live at Ledge Amphitheater was a heavy metal joy.  The concert took place in Waite Park, Minnesota, on August 28, 2023, delivering a powerful, high-energy performance. The venue, relatively new and intimate, provided the perfect backdrop for the band’s thunderous sound. The weather was cool, setting a great atmosphere for their heavy, dynamic set.  We have seen them live numerous times of the years.  Their shows never get old.

From the first notes of Born for One Thing, the crowd erupted. Gojira’s setlist included tracks from their latest album, Fortitude, as well as fan favorites like Flying Whales and L’Enfant Sauvage. Their precision was flawless, with each song coming through with intensity and clarity. Joe Duplantier’s vocals were sharp, his screams cutting through the air, while the rhythm section—Mario Duplantier’s drumming and Jean-Michel Labadie’s bass—kept everything locked in place.

A standout moment was The Heaviest Matter of the Universe, which sent the crowd into a frenzy. The heavy riffs and Mario’s pounding drums made it impossible to stay still. Gojira’s stage presence was magnetic. Their lighting setup was perfectly timed with the music, enhancing every explosive moment and adding depth to the quieter sections.

The crowd was fully engaged, with fans headbanging and moshing throughout the show. Gojira’s connection with the audience was electric. Every song felt like a shared experience, with fans singing along and reacting to the band’s every move.

In short, Gojira’s August 2023 performance was a triumph. They proved why they’re one of the best in modern metal. With their impeccable musicianship and strong connection to the crowd, this show was unforgettable. Fans will be talking about it for a long time.