Live music review: Miracle Blood engulfs Davis Square at Somergloom, fire department called in
Friday (August 7) evening marked night two of four of Somerville’s annual Somergloom Festival, and the first night at Davis Square’s iconic Crystal Ballroom. Fresh off a 15-date tour spanning the U.S. and Canada, Boston noise-punk power trio Miracle Blood brought a scorching, powerful set to the chandelier-clad ballroom and an eagerly awaiting hometown crowd as the band engulfed Davis Square at Somergloom Festival.
After blistering and thunderous sets by fellow locals Unhinged, K.O Queen, and Severed Boy to get the night underway, Miracle Blood prepared to hit the stage just after 10 p.m., second to last – just before headliners and Rhode Island hardcore legends Drop Dead.
Just as the band took the stage, beginning to set up their gear, and with the crowd’s energy growing in anticipation and the room packing in, the ballroom was abruptly overcome with the blisteringly loud siren of the 112-year-old building’s fire alarm, prompting an evacuation of the second- floor venue, as well as the accompanying movie theater next door.
As festivalgoers and movie attendees flooded into Statue Park across the street, Somerville FD showed up promptly, verifying the false alarm and giving the all-clear for the festivities to continue. It was later revealed to be caused by a mishap at the Mr. Crepe restaurant downstairs. But the temporary pause in action only heighted the growing anticipation of the start of Miracle Blood’s performance.
Only cutting a few minutes into the scheduled start time, with a stage illuminated by the psychedelic visual wonders of The Dregs Liquid Light Show, the band hit the stage cranking through of split mix of their 2024 LP Hello Hell, as well as a number of gnarly heavy new tracks, all which the band has spent 2026 in the studio chipping away at LP3 with Boston recording legend Alex Allinson.
The vibe in the room was electric as Miracle Blood began their set. Kicking things off with the explosive first track “Lobotizer”, Garrett Young’s thumping bass chugged along with Anthony Bollitier’s explosive tom hits that cut through the room and set the pace of what was to come. Led by the powerful and commanding stage presence of guitarist and vocalist Andrew Wong, he screamed “This is a nightmare of marionettes, This is a lighthearted stroll..” to fill the room, engulfing the crowd in an explosion of chaotic punk energy. The band ripped through 10 songs, keeping the intensity high throughout and the crowd passionatelty mesmerized.
When it came to the final song, one of the moments that stood out most of the night was an unknown new track from Miracle Blood, starting with a menacing bass note that shook the entire room as the band ripped into it. To someone unaware it was a new one, you’d think it was a song they’ve been closing out their shows with for years. The drums on the outro featured Bollitier bashing away at a crash symbol harder and more intensely than I’ve ever seen in my life (I’m 100% serious, I thought the thing was about to crack in half) – cannot wait to hear this one the new record.
Playing for roughly 40 minutes, the band’s energy never let up one bit. They ripped through song after song leading the mosh pit into a sustained frenzy that lasted the entire set. The new songs all seem to settle more in the direction the band leaned into on Hello Hell, a heavy, noisy, and self-described “weird” spin on punk, metal, and hardcore. In recent years, the band has been making their presence around the U.S known, embarking on numerous tours and hitting the road full speed, as well as teaming up with Philadelphia-based label Nefarious Industries . As the band wraps up production on their third LP, be on the lookout for them hitting a city near you. If they’re in town, don’t miss them – you’ll regret it later on.
All photos by Matt Bass
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