Summer of Loud: Mansfield, MA Edition

The Summer of Loud 2025 tour rolled through Mansfield, MA on July 23 with a lineup that felt like a metalcore fever dream. From openers to headliners, the night was packed with heavy riffs, breakdowns, and enough energy to keep the pits moving from start to finish. The crowd at Xfinity Center showed up early and stayed loud even as the weight of the day settled in, news of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing had broken that morning, and while the show wasn’t centered around it, subtle tributes throughout the night reminded everyone just how deep his influence runs.

Dark Divine opened the night with their signature theatrical style and dark aesthetic, pulling in early crowd attention with face paint, gothic visuals, and a tight, dramatic set. “Cold” and “Paper Crown” stood out, and the band made a strong impression for such an early slot.

The Amity Affliction followed with a wave of emotional intensity. Their set leaned into the themes of loss and mental health that have long defined their music. Songs like “Open Letter” and “Drag the Lake” hit harder than usual, perhaps sharpened by the day’s news. The crowd was dialed in: singing every word, throwing horns, and fully engaged with the band’s raw, confessional energy.

The Devil Wears Prada brought a more chaotic, aggressive energy. Their set was fast, sharp, and relentless, with “Watchtower” and “Salt” stirring up serious movement in the pit. Mike Hranica commanded the stage with ease, and the band’s transitions and sound mix were some of the tightest of the night.

Beartooth came in with full force. Caleb Shomo’s vocal delivery was guttural and emotional, as always, and the band’s dynamic range (from filthy breakdowns to massive choruses) hit perfectly in a live setting. “Riptide,” “Devastation,” and “In Between” were clear highlights, with the entire amphitheater bouncing. During their set change, Ozzy’s image appeared briefly on the main screen while Sabbath played through the speakers—no words were needed, and the moment landed.

I Prevail followed with one of the most visually explosive sets of the night. Their dual-vocal dynamic between clean and unclean vocals kept things engaging throughout. “Bad Things,” “Hurricane,” and “Bow Down” all got huge reactions. Their production was on another level. Lighting, screens, and fire all timed with precision. While their set leaned heavier into spectacle, the connection with the audience never felt lost.

Parkway Drive brought the most intense energy of the night, pairing their signature flame-heavy stage show with the commanding presence of Winston McCall. Their pacing was flawless, building from slow-burning tracks like “Prey” into chaos with “Bottom Feeder.” Parkway’s sound is massive and cinematic, and live, it hits like a freight train. They didn’t need to say much. The music did all the talking, and the crowd responded accordingly.

Killswitch Engage closed the night as headliners and hometown heroes, and they delivered exactly what the fans came for. Their set was anthemic and tight, and Jesse Leach’s voice sounded powerful across both newer material and the classics. Adam D was chaotic in the best way, jumping around the stage, cracking jokes, and shredding like it was second nature. The crowd came alive for “My Curse,” “The End of Heartache,” and “The Signal Fire,” with thousands of voices roaring along. While they didn’t speak on Ozzy directly, his face had flashed on the screen during their setup and Sabbath’s music played in the background. It was a respectful, understated tribute woven into the fabric of the show.

This stop of Summer of Loud was exactly what the name promised. Loud, intense, and unrelenting from start to finish. Every band brought their own unique energy, from theatrical openers to high-production headliners, and the crowd matched it every step of the way. From the first riff to the final breakdown, Mansfield showed up ready to throw down, scream along, and leave it all in the pit. It wasn’t just a concert, it was a full-force reminder of why live heavy music hits like nothing else.