Four Year Strong and Friends throw it down in norcal
Story and Photography by Music Fan Magazine Contributor: Sydney Pink
Stronger Than Time: Four Year Strong Brings the House Down at Ace of Spades
On Sunday night, Sacramento’s Ace of Spades music venue was overcome by a large crowd of supercharged twenty somethings looking to connect with the lineup of tonights set, and as expected, were immediately transformed by electrifying hub of power chords, high-octane drumming, and a face melting intensity of the music.
Four Year Strong, the Worcester, Massachusetts-based post-hardcore heroes, took the stage with their identifiable blend of punk-infused melodies and hardcore breakdowns. The air was thick with anticipation, proved when the lights dimmed and Darude’s “Sandstorm” blasted through the speakers, it was clear that Four Year Strong wasn’t here for just a show—they were here to create an experience. Earplug check.
Four Year Strong’s concertgoers had some time to get warmed up with three acts to open before they took the stage. Don’t judge an opener by its cover though, because Death Lens brought life to the early crowd. Yes…Death lens. I’m told this is a slight departure from the typical Music Fan Magazine reviews and interests, yet I was encouraged to attend and get some deets on some of the more aggressive sounds this publication has covered in 2024.
One Step Closer got us further along, bouncing off the previous set’s energy, led by Ryan Savitski’s prominent, powerful voice. The penultimate show by Free Throw set the tone for the remainder of the evening- strong vocals, guitar riffs, passion, and performing like they had a fire lit under their asses. After three strong sets of moshing and crowdsurfing with little to no downtime in-between, the crowd was still hungry for more.
Once the openers completed their assignment, we had a few minutes to refresh our cocktails as Four Year Strong approached their battle positions at the microphone in the shadows of the intro music. Moments later, the house lights came up on cue and the jam packed crowd instantly came alive. The second Four Year Strong presented themselves in full it was clear that this would be a night of relentless energy.
The major highlight took place when the band’s bassist, Eddie Contreras, became one with the crowd and had the pit moshing around him. Generally a sketchy thing to do. I mean really, you're the bassist and you just inserted yourself into a circling mosh pit filled with fists and high kicks? Brave man I assure you.
Most of the tracks performed were from the band’s latest album, “Analysis Paralysis”, but classics like “We All Float Down Here” still had the crowd belting every word at the top of their lungs. The back-and-forth vocals between Dan O’Connor and Alan Day kept the momentum soaring, while the rest of the band, Joe Weiss on bass, and Jake Massucco on drums—provided the heavy punch that made each breakdown hit with force.
The blend of punk melody and hardcore aggression was as tight as ever, proving that even after years of touring, the band’s chemistry is still spot-on. Throughout the evening, O’Connor and Day’s harmonizing melodies were able to find each other through the rest of the music. The band members would make a call with their crescendoing verses into explosive choruses, and the attendees would make a response by either throwing each other into the air or opening up another moshpit. Reminder…this was a Sunday night…a school night for most of us and these guys were seemingly indifferent to any responsibilities that would come with the looming sunrise. My kind of people.
It wasn’t all just about the heavy stuff, though. Four Year Strong made sure to balance their set with some of their more melodic moments. “Maybe it’s me” and “Uncooked” from the 2024 LP release “Analysis Paralysis”, stood out as one of those perfect examples of how the band can shift from gut-punching intensity to anthemic singalongs without skipping a beat.
By the time they took their final bows, the energy in the room was drained after four hours of relentless chaotic music goodness. But this was just what the crowd needed to let go and have fun for an evening. This was a show to remember- a set of what the talented Four Year Strong has been known to bring to the stage for over a decade, while leaving room for three newer and capable bands to have their time to shine.
Four Year Strong’s concert was an unyielding, high-octane assault on the senses, with each band delivering a fierce performance— ensuring that every attendee left the venue feeling like they’d experienced something profound and emerged better off for it.
If you get a chance to see them…do it. You won’t ever forget how strong this band is.
Check out our blog in the next few days for more about the opening bands!
- Sydney Pink
Music Fan Magazine Contributing Photographer and Writer