Gig review: Smash Into Pieces at Rock City

First up in support on what was to become a memorable evening - and on their first UK tour - are Dark Divine, an American metalcore band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 2021. Anthony Martinez (vocals), Robby Lynch (guitar), Triston Blaize (drums) and Cory "Scissorhands" Piscitelli (bass) make up the band whose music often has themes of horror and Halloween. They cite bands such as Motionless in White and Ice Nine Kills as influences. Their debut album Deadly Fun was released in 2023 with their follow-up Undead Melody is due out on 29th May.

The lights dim and Dark Divine hit the stage. With lighting rigs and stage set for later acts, they have limited room, but for those arriving early, this is a real treat. Visually impressive, Robby and Cory are dressed in black with striking black and white face paint; Anthony likewise with a big furry jacket. The set is a mix of aggressive riffs and catchy choruses and a great stage presence. The crowd are getting into the groove, along with the meaty breakdowns, and grow into the set getting more and more absorbed. Dark Divine deliver a level of intensity both sonically and visually, and Cory, in his black robe and hidden face, gives the visuals a sinister edge. All the time Anthony is moving around engaging with the crowd. Highlights are Better Start Digging, which the crowd sing along to with gusto, and the closing track Halloweentown.

This may be their first visit to these shores, but by heck…… Dark Divine are a real find and a band, to watch out for.

Up next are Enemy Inside, a German metal band formed in Aschaffenburg in 2017 and with three albums to their name. Nastassja Giulia (vocals), Evan K (guitar), David Hadarick (guitar), Dominik Stotzem(bass) and Hanno Kerstan (drums) emerge to roars from the crowd and are bathed in green light, with a large frame on stage, with white tube lights which flash creating a dramatic, mechanical light (Numan-esque) as vocalist Nastassja steps up on to the block stage centre and take control – delivering some raw, emotional vocals as they open with Venon. The set is packed with absolute belters, such as the dark Don’t Call Me an Angel, while recent release RIP rips through the hallowed hall with its heavy distortion and bass driven pace.

The energy in the room is intensifying with fans singing and chanting along, none more so that during F**k That Party which delivers a level of chaos and unrelenting riffs off the scale, to the delight of the crowd. It’s also a great showcase for Nastassja's vocal talents as she delivers some spectacularly expressive, versatile vocals ranging from melodic to aggressive in a flash.

After the final track Release Me the cheers soon had Enemy Inside back for What We Used to Be, before finishing off the night with Phoenix, which has the whole crowd moving and singing along. A high-energy live set centered around a modern melodic metal sound, with some stunning vocals.

Tonight's headliners are Smash into Pieces: a Swedish rock band formed in 2008 in Örebro. The group consisting of Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye (vocals),Benjamin Jennebo (guitar), Per Bergquist (guitar) and the enigmatic APOC on drums have released nine studio albums so far from their debut, the most recent being 2025’s Armaheaven.

The lights drop and the crowd cheers. The stage is set up with a wall of LED screens with the drumkit raised up on a riser behind it. The lights turn red and the LED panels flicker into action with flashing lights and Matrix-like visuals. The shadowy figure of APOC appears at the drums, dressed in black with a hood, and a mask that lights up something like one of the Star Wars Knights of Ren. A synthetic voice rings out as he sets the scene for what is to come.

The lights flash into action and the rest of the band step out to huge cheers and they rip into the opening track Man or Machine from 2025’s Armaheaven. Smash Into Pieces are known for their high-energy performances; tonight is no different as they zip around the stage, swapping sides and interacting with the crowd at every opportunity. Tracks such as Arcadia and Heroes Are Calling are great examples generating spontaneous singalongs as their melodic hooks and electronic textures fill the hall. The energy in the room is electric and infectious, it seems like everyone is moving.

Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye works the room effortlessly sometimes alone at the front of the stage delivering slower more delicate vocals, and the jumping around delivering some intense metal growls such as in Hurricane. He manages this dynamic shift with ease and the crowd are lapping it up.

The visuals are fantastic with intense spots, LED panels, as well as the presence of the masked APOC on drums, creating a post-apocalyptic or cyberpunk feel. The whole production has that larger arena feel to it, and it would certainly work well on a larger stage.

At various points through the set, the attention flicks to APOC, who stands and performs the role of narrator to their story. It’s a feature of the set that works really well and raises the audience engagement to a whole new dimension.

Perhaps the highlight is Boomerang when Enemy Inside’s Nastassja Giulia joins them on stage on vocals, and paired with Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye, this lifts the track to a new level and the crowd are loving it.

They round off the night with Hollow, a single only released this year, with dramatic harsh blue and white lighting the track speaks of connection and strength “We found truth in the shadows, waiting on the world to change. I know we’re bruised, but our colours, show them we will never break”. Everyone is up and moving, and it has the feel of a call to arms.

Smash Into Pieces delivered a stunning performance, made for arena stages, and the Rock City crowd stepped back out into the cool night air exhausted, but exhilarated.

Smash Into Pieces performed at Rock City on 2nd May 2026.