On Friday night, June 12, 2026, I made my way to Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City for a show headlined by Between The Buried and Me, with support from Fallujah and Imperial Triumphant. At this point, there’s always a moment when I walk into a metal show and wonder if my lower back is going to survive the evening. Fortunately, the music was loud enough to drown out both my concerns and the sound of my knees cracking.
Fallujah opened the night with a performance that somehow managed to be both crushingly heavy and technically precise. Watching them perform was like seeing a group of engineers design a bridge while simultaneously setting it on fire. The musicianship was impressive enough that even those of us who occasionally lose track of what’s happening during progressive metal songs couldn’t help but stand there with our jaws hanging open.
Imperial Triumphant followed with a set that felt less like a concert and more like stumbling into a secret society meeting where everyone happened to be incredibly talented musicians. The band’s unique presentation had the crowd equally fascinated and confused, which is usually a sign that art is happening.
Then came Between The Buried and Me.
For years, I’ve accepted that attending a Between The Buried and Me show means surrendering any expectation of knowing exactly what comes next. One minute you’re headbanging, the next you’re wondering if you’ve accidentally wandered into a jazz fusion concert, and then suddenly you’re back in the middle of a sonic avalanche. Somehow, it all makes sense.
The Oklahoma City crowd was fully invested from start to finish. Fans sang along, cheered at all the right moments, and collectively pretended they understood every odd time signature being thrown their way. The energy in the room stayed high throughout the night, creating the kind of atmosphere that reminds you why live music is worth leaving the house for on a Friday.
By the end of the evening, my ears were ringing, my feet hurt, and I was already glad I made the trip. That’s usually the sign of a successful concert.
Between The Buried and Me delivered exactly the kind of experience their fans have come to expect: ambitious, unpredictable, and immensely entertaining. Tower Theatre once again proved to be one of the best places in Oklahoma City to catch a live show, and everyone in attendance left with a fresh appreciation for both progressive metal and the importance of hearing protection.
Five stars, one bottle of ibuprofen, and absolutely no understanding of what time signature I spent most of the evening listening to.
