Willamette Week is in the middle of our most important annual fundraiser. As a local independent news outlet, we need your help.

Give today. Hold power to account.

Support

Red Fang Roars Back Home at Wonder Ballroom

By Casey Martin
(Henry Cromett)

At yet another sold-out show for what has quickly become the class act of Portland metal, Red Fang returned home Dec. 17 to play for a crowd at Wonder Ballroom ornamented in Ray-Bans, stiff-looking denim jackets ironed with fresh patches, myriad facial mods and thick winter beards—and the Levi's-clad hoard was not let down.

Following sets from sludge monstrosity Whores and stoner-droners Torche, the quartet ripped into recent fan favorites like "Blood Like Cream" and "Malverde" and continued weaving in and out with a clever mix of new tunes from its recent album, Only Ghosts, which Red Fang has been touring behind since October. Saturday night's show was the homecoming after a 26-show, coast-to-coast whirlwind in 30 days.

A mosh pit of hipsters and old-school rockers alike only climbed in intensity until the band's classic finale of "Prehistoric Dog." The floor creaked beneath the climax of beer-stained Vans and Dr. Martens. The band members waved, throwing any sticks, picks and thanks they had in a genuine gesture of gratitude as they closed the cathartic show. Welcome home, boys. Welcome home.

All photos by Henry Cromett.

0 of 8

Explore more on:

43.08metalPortland musicRed FangTorcheWhoresWonder Ballroom

Casey Martin

Casey Martin

Casey Rae Martin writes with a focus on heavy metal but also enjoys jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop and synth-wave. In his spare time, he writes fiction, eats burritos, enjoys damned fine coffee, craft beer, role playing and platform video games, and roosting on his futon with his elderly pug, Maia.