One of Milwaukee’s most iconic and historic live music venues hosted a stacked lineup Tuesday night with Swedish metal legends In Flames headlining the evening. Joining them were Swedish hardcore band thrown and Dutch-Slovakian deathcore heavyweights Distant. A band that needs little introduction, In Flames have been shaping melodic metal since the early 1990s, paving the way for countless modern metal bands. Metalheads of all ages packed the venue early, eagerly waiting in line before flooding the room. There was no question who they came to see. In Flames merch was everywhere you looked. I even spoke with one fan who traveled all the way from Minnesota just to catch In Flames live at The Rave.

Opening the night was one of the most underrated bands in modern metal, Distant. Known for their crushing breakdowns, atmospheric intensity, and emotionally driven songwriting, they have steadily become one of deathcore’s heaviest forces. Formed in 2014, the group quickly carved out a place in the extreme metal scene with a signature sound that blends downtempo brutality with slam-inspired aggression.

Distant opened their set with “Nothing Left to Hate,” one of their newly released singles, and within seconds the crowd erupted. Fans who had been restless from the anticipation immediately unleashed their energy as blast beats rumbled through the venue and chaos broke out in the pit.
Check out the Distant concert photo gallery below:

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Distant delivered a set full of raw aggression and dark atmosphere, while still maintaining a melodic edge that kept the crowd completely locked in from start to finish. It was the perfect way to ignite the night.

The energy inside the venue only continued to build as thrown took the stage. Since making their debut in 2021, the Swedish hardcore band has quickly gained momentum within the heavy music scene. Following the release of their breakout EP Extended Pain in 2022 and their debut full-length album Excessive Guilt in 2024, the band earned a reputation for their aggressive sound and explosive live performances. Touring alongside major acts like Knocked Loose, Wage War, and Emmure has only solidified their growing presence in the scene.

This marked thrown’s first ever visit to The Rave, and they wasted no time making an impression. Opening with fan favorite “bloodsucker” from their EP Excessive Guilt, the crowd instantly exploded into madness. Frontman Marcus Lundqvist took over the room with relentless energy and aggressive vocals that hit just as hard live as they do on record.

Check out the thrown concert photo gallery below:

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Circle pits went wild across the floor while crowdsurfers continuously poured over the barricade, keeping security busy throughout the set. Thrown’s performance was intense, fast-paced, and exactly the kind of rush the crowd needed before the headliner took over.

The atmosphere inside the venue was electric all night, but the second In Flames stepped onto the stage, the energy reached another level entirely. Opening with more explosive intensity, the band immediately had the entire room moving. Headbanging fans, everyone screaming lyrics, and nonstop circle pits once again consumed The Rave floor. In Flames’ signature blend of melodic guitar work, crushing vocals, and emotionally charged choruses sounded even more powerful live.

Frontman Anders Fridén commanded the stage effortlessly, constantly interacting with the crowd while seamlessly shifting between harsh vocals and melodic passages. The guitar riffs cut through the venue with razor-sharp precision, while drums echoed in the room from wall to wall. The lighting production added another layer of intensity, flooding the stage and crowd with deep reds, blinding strobes, and atmospheric visuals that perfectly matched the mood of the performance.

The setlist struck an ideal balance between newer material and classic fan favorites, giving longtime fans a heavy dose of nostalgia while still showcasing the band’s evolution over the years. They opened strong with “Pinball Map” from their 2000 album Clayman, instantly sending the crowd into an extreme rage.

Crowdsurfers began pouring over the barricade while circle pits opened up across the floor once again. Vocalist Anders later commanded the crowd to split down the middle of the room and form a “Wall of Death” style mosh pit during a crushing breakdown moment. Waves of the crowd flew across the floor, turning the energy in the room into pure chaos and mania.

The band followed with newer tracks like “The Great Deceiver” from their 2023 album, bringing a modern edge filled with melodic hooks, punishing riffs, and emotionally driven vocals. Throughout the night, In Flames effortlessly moved through different eras of their discography, including another fan favorite, “The Quiet Place” from 2004, which filled the room with a fierce wave of nostalgia. Each song served as a reminder of why they remain one of the most influential names in modern metal.

Check out the In Flames concert photo gallery below:

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To close out the night, the band delivered “Take This Life” from their iconic album Come Clarity, a track many fans still consider one of their greatest works. By the end of the set, the room was exhausted, exhilarated, and completely alive. In Flames delivered a performance that felt so raw, emotional, and relentlessly heavy from beginning to end. It was the kind of show that leaves your ears ringing long after the final song fades out.

Catch In Flames on the Road…