The Infinite Arc Tour
Review & Photography: Lynn Doby
Raleigh got baptized in riffs when the Infinite Arc Tour rolled into Red Hat Amphitheater on May 13th, 2025. With a stacked lineup of Periphery, Mastodon, and Coheed & Cambria, the night was less of a concert and more of a pilgrimage for fans of progressive metal, heavy rock, and cosmic storytelling. Three bands, three distinct legacies, and one stage that became ground zero for technical mastery, raw emotion, and pure live energy. From the first note to the last crashing chord, this show proved why these bands remain cornerstones of heavy music culture.
Periphery: Precision, Prog, and Pure Power
The night kicked off with Periphery, the Washington, D.C. juggernauts who put djent on the damn map. Misha Mansoor and Jake Bowen’s guitars were precision weapons, slamming into Mark Holcomb’s intricate riffing while Spencer Sotelo’s vocals cut clean and fierce across “Reptile,” “Wildfire,” and “Atropos.” Even with just three tracks, they reminded everyone why Periphery has stayed relevant in a genre where technicality can sometimes overshadow heart—they’ve got both in spades. The breakdowns hit like sledgehammers, but the melodies soared, and Raleigh gave them a roaring welcome.
Mastodon: Chaos, Conflict, and Crushing Riffs
Next up was Mastodon, Atlanta’s own titans of progressive sludge metal, and holy hell did they make the earth quake. Bill Kelliher, Troy Sanders, Brann Dailor with new guitartist Nick Johnston have been at this for over two decades, and even with the recent split with Brent Hinds, their set proved that nothing can shake the Mastodon machine. They tore through “Tread Lightly” and “Ghost of Karelia” before unloading crowd-pleasers like “The Motherload” and “Crystal Skull.”
The twin guitar assault of Kelliher and Johnston felt volcanic, Sanders’ bass lines rumbled like tectonic plates, and Dailor’s drumming? Flawless chaos. By the time “Steambreather” and the closer “Blood and Thunder” hit, Raleigh was a sea of horns and hair, screaming along with Sanders: “White whale, holy grail!” Mastodon proved yet again that while the drama might live behind the curtain, onstage it’s only fire. At the time of the concert, Brent Hinds was still with us and carving his new path from the split of the original four from Atlanta. Unfortunately, he lost his life on August 20th, 2025 due to a motorcycle accident. Brent was a light that shined brighter than he realized and will be missed. RIP Brent.
Coheed & Cambria: A Sonic Universe Set Ablaze
Closing out the night was Coheed & Cambria, New York’s space-prog storytellers who have always blurred the line between band and mythology. Claudio Sanchez, with his signature mane of curls, wielded his guitar like a conductor leading a cosmic orchestra. They opened with “Blind Side Sonny” and “Goodbye, Sunshine” before diving into heavy hitters like “Shoulders” and “A Favor House Atlantic.”
The crowd became a choir, belting out every word to “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3.” Travis Stever’s guitar work was sharp and euphoric, while Josh Eppard’s drumming locked in tight with Zach Cooper’s bass, giving the music that signature Coheed punch. The night closed with “Welcome Home”—arguably one of the most recognizable riffs in modern rock—and Red Hat erupted. It wasn’t just a closer, it was a statement: Coheed are still here, still larger than life, and still making their universe our universe.
The Infinite Arc Tour lived up to its name—three bands, three different angles of prog and heavy music, all colliding into one unforgettable night. Raleigh didn’t just get a concert. It got a masterclass.
