Red Sky Mourning: Soul Blind and Split Chain at the Lodge Room
april 28th, 2026 • the lodge room • los angeles, california
full gallery can be found here
Ever since I first saw Split Chain during their debut American tour in Boston in 2025, I have been a devoted fan. Nearly every aspect of the band appeals to me, particularly their consistent use of blue tones across all of their visual media—photography, videos, album artwork, and single covers. Their aesthetic captures a strong sense of Y2K nostalgia, a quality that many artists have attempted to recreate in recent years. In addition, their cover of "I Don't Wanna Be Me" is, in my view, a phenomenal interpretation of the song; they successfully preserve both the sound and emotional intensity of the original. Over the past year and a half, it has been especially rewarding to watch the band break through overseas and receive the recognition they genuinely deserve.
Split Chain was formed in 2023 in Bristol and consists of vocalist Bert Martinez-Cowels, bassist Tom Davies, drummer Aaron Black, and guitarists Oli Bowles and Jake Reid. Each member had previously performed in local bands before coming together to form Split Chain. The band released its debut single, "Get Inside", in April 2023, followed by its debut album, Motionblur, in the summer of 2025.
Although the band describes its sound as "dreamo”, Split Chain blends elements of shoegaze, nu metal, and grunge, creating the nostalgic atmosphere I mentioned earlier. Their ability to combine these influences feels both authentic and distinctive. Personally, I find that blend incredibly compelling, and I believe their execution is exceptional—one of the key reasons the band stands out in today's alternative music scene.
The band's ability to shift between crushing walls of distortion and atmospheric, melody-driven passages was on full display, immediately pulling the crowd into their signature blend of shoegaze, grunge, and nu metal. Tracks like "Future," "Subside," and "Extract" showcased just how dynamic the band's songwriting has become, balancing thick, downtuned riffs with soaring, emotionally charged choruses. Even in a brief set, there wasn't a wasted moment. Each song flowed naturally into the next, maintaining a constant level of energy while allowing enough space for the band's dreamy textures to breathe.
The crowd's energy matched the band's from the moment they took the stage. The atmosphere remained electric throughout the set, with fans passionately singing along to every lyric and feeding off the intensity that filled the room. There was a palpable sense of excitement that never let up, making the venue feel alive from start to finish.
The band's lighting design further enhanced the experience. Staying true to their signature aesthetic, shades of blue washed over the stage, complementing the music and reinforcing the visual identity that has become synonymous with Split Chain. It was a subtle yet effective element that elevated the overall performance.
Having last seen the band a year and a half ago, it was incredibly rewarding to witness just how much they have grown. Their musicianship has become even more refined, their chemistry onstage more natural, and their confidence as performers unmistakable. What was already an impressive live act has evolved into something even more compelling. If this performance is any indication of what's to come, Split Chain's trajectory is only pointing upward, and I look forward to seeing where they go next.
Headlining the evening was Soul Blind, a four-piece band formed in New York's Hudson Valley in 2018. Emerging from the region's hardcore scene, the band has built a reputation for seamlessly blending alternative metal, post-hardcore, '90s alternative rock, grunge, and shoegaze. Their sound has also earned them descriptors such as "grungegaze" and "dreamo," reflecting the atmospheric yet heavy nature of their music.
The band's lineup consists of vocalist and bassist Cen, guitarists Justin Sarica and Finn Lovell, and drummer Steve Hurley. While their roots lie in hardcore, Soul Blind draws heavily from influential acts such as Hum, Deftones, and Soundgarden, combining crushing riffs with expansive, textured melodies to create a sound that feels both nostalgic and distinctly their own.
Since forming, Soul Blind has steadily expanded its discography. The band released its self-titled debut EP, Untitled, in 2018, followed by Third Chain in 2021. They have since released two full-length studio albums: Feel It All Around in 2022 and Red Sky Mourning in 2025. Each release has further refined the band's signature blend of aggression and atmosphere, solidifying their place as one of the most compelling acts in the modern alternative heavy music scene.
Opening with "Business or Pleasure," the band immediately established the dense, immersive atmosphere that has become synonymous with their live performances. From there, they seamlessly transitioned through songs like "Seventh Hell," "Billy," and "Phantom Pool," balancing crushing riffs with melodic passages that kept the audience engaged throughout the night.
The middle portion of the set highlighted the emotional depth of Red Sky Mourning. While the music remained undeniably heavy, there was a sense of restraint and atmosphere that allowed each song to breathe rather than blur together.
As the performance entered its final stretch, the band delivered a finale that perfectly encapsulated their sound—equal parts aggressive, melodic, and emotionally resonant. It was a confident performance that demonstrated why Soul Blind has become one of the most exciting names in the modern grungegaze and alternative metal scene.
