It was a wonderful night of music at Lovedrafts Brewing Company in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania Saturday, December 7th. Six bands came together for the last show of 2024. The show was put on by 717 Entertainment, and sponsored by iROCKRADIO.ME. It closed out a great year of awesome shows for both the promoter and the radio station at this music venue that is growing more and more popular amongst fans of hard rock and metal in both the Central Pennsylvania area and beyond.
Four Thirty Four and Hostile Within started out the night and got the crowd going. The third act of the night, RUINESS, is a band from Central Pennsylvania that is just getting started, and from listening to their first two singles and seeing them perform live, I believe they have a bright future. Their lead singer, Ariana Troni, has a wonderful voice, and she and her bandmates have fun together on stage and are very energetic. I’ll have the opportunity to see them again at Rock On The Hill Music Festival Saturday, June 7th, 2025, in Hanover, Pennsylvania, and I’m looking forward to it!
I was happy to finally have a chance to see Sick Century, a band from York, Pennsylvania that I’ve been following for quite some time. I actually got to write a cover story on them for The Sound 228 Magazine March 2024 issue. I’ve been wanting to see them for a while, but some previous opportunities had fallen through, so I was really glad I got to at this show. They were awesome and I can’t wait to see them again!
The headliner was Eva Under Fire, a well-known band led by singer Amanda “Eva Marie” Lyberg. I had seen them back in the summer of 2022 at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey when they were on tour with STARSET, and I remember being very impressed by their performance. They have grown more popular since then and their music is very good and resonates with their fans. I really enjoyed Eva Under Fire’s performance, and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for them when they return to the area.
The main reason I went to this show December 7th was to see one of my favorite bands, ANOXIA. It was a same-day decision to go because of some personal things I had going on, but I was determined to try to get there, not only to see my friends in the band, but also to spend time with some amazing people I have gotten to know in the rock and metal community who have become my music family. I wanted to surprise ANOXIA lead singer Chrystal James, so I only told a few people I was going after I made the decision. From Chrystal’s reaction I could tell she was definitely surprised. I’m so glad I made the trip!
The last time I had seen ANOXIA perform was at the band’s Relinquish The Quiet album release show at Baltimore Sound Stage in July 2023. That was Chrystal’s triumphant return to the stage after 10 years, and it was a remarkable show. After seeing ANOXIA December 7th, it is apparent that the band is even stronger now and Chrystal’s overall stage presence as a singer and performer is even more powerful. The confidence, energy, and amazing vocals combined with the fierceness of the music played by Chrystal’s band, her “Guardians”, make ANOXIA a force to be reckoned with on stage.
The ANOXIA set at Lovedrafts began with a dramatic entrance to the stage that led into “Hamunaptra”, off the 2020 album Anniversary Edition. I admit this was a song I wasn’t super familiar with, but it’s a great song to open a set with, and I have now added it to multiple playlists.
The song “Not Alone” is also off the 2020 album. There is a reimagined version of this song on Relinquish The Quiet, called “YANA” (You Are Not Alone), but it’s more melodic and symphonic, featuring piano and strings. The version the band performed at Lovedrafts is more fast-paced and heavier, with a stellar guitar solo.
ANOXIA put together a setlist for the Lovedrafts show that was a great mix of older and more recent songs. One of those I was glad to hear was “Tears, I Bleed”, the first single off the Relinquish The Quiet album. It’s a song that’s in my top three of favorite ANOXIA songs!
Chrystal is a big Stevie Nicks fan, and her version of “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac is a wonderful tribute to Stevie. You can find the Anoxia cover of this song on streaming platforms, and there is a music video on YouTube.
A song I was surprised but very happy to hear was the emotional “Tuum Exspiravit” off the Relinquish The Quiet album. It’s a beautiful and emotional song, and was a lovely addition to the heavier songs in the setlist.
ANOXIA closed out the set with the title track off the latest album. “Relinquish The Quiet” is an anthem for anyone who has been living in silence but is now breaking out of that to speak their own truth.
Chrystal James has both a strength and a vulnerability that are very apparent when she performs. She puts her emotions into every song and draws the audience into that magical space that only music can create. Her music has a powerful aura, and there is an unmistakable connection between Chrystal and her fans when she is on stage.
Off the stage, it’s wonderful to see Chrystal interact with fans at shows. She takes the time to talk to everyone and wants to know their stories. People are drawn to Chrystal. Young girls want to meet her. People feel like they can relate to her because whatever struggles and triumphs they’re going through, she truly understands because she has been through her own and continues to fight. If you have an opportunity to see ANOXIA perform, please do not miss it. You will leave feeling inspired and empowered.
WRITTEN BY: Annie Schlottman
ANOXIA at Lovedrafts Brewing Saturday 12/7/2024 SetlistI Intro – “Hamunaptra” “Fail Me” “Not Alone” “Tears, I Bleed” “Beautiful Liar” “Tuum Exspiravit” “All For You” “Dreams” (Fleetwood Mac cover) “Relinquish The Quiet”
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