Industrial rock band HEALTH performed the penultimate show of their ongoing Rat-Based Warfare tour at the Belasco, an ornate art deco-style venue in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. Eager fans lined up before the show began, stretching out along the sidewalk and they were rewarded for their devotion when bassist John Famiglietti showed up to strike up casual conversation.

Once inside, concertgoers were treated to a trio of openers from the new wave groove of Sacred Skin to the hardcore-tinged metal of King Yosef and the empowering EBM stylings of Pixel Grip. Sacred Skin started the night off by warming up the crowd with a medley of melodic post-punk as attendees made their way toward the stage. King Yosef kicked up the energy levels with intense vocals and heavy instrumentation dominating the mix, a sizable moshpit breaking out in the center of the room. Pixel Grip was greeted with anticipatory shouts as they broke into an energetic set filled with, as promised, “bangers only.”

The moment HEALTH hit the stage, the crowd descended into enthusiastic cheers and screams. When the opening notes of “IDENTITY” from the second installment of their collaborative DISCO4 series began playing, the audience was invigorated, immediately swaying and bopping their heads to the beat. Soon after, the band blended in “GOD BOTHERER” from their 2019 record VOL 4 :: SLAVES OF FEAR before diverting to the first new track of the night, “CRACK METAL” from their critically acclaimed 2023 album RAT WARS.

The record landed on the number one spot for our annual album of the year list, serving as a superb balance of abrasiveness and vulnerability that demands to be replayed. HEALTH’s live performance only confirms and amplifies that ranking. When blasting the album full force through headphones is no longer enough, fear not, the trio of vocalist/guitarist Jake Duzsik, the aforementioned Famiglietti and drummer Benjamin Jared Miller pack quite the punch live. Following up next was “MEN TODAY,” a cut from 2015’s DEATH MAGIC which had also made it to our annual end of year list, coming in at number 5. “HATEFUL” brought concertgoers back to the present with its infectious beat and powerful staging, the lights maintaining the powerful atmospherics demanded of the music.

After a brief detour with a medley of “ZOOTHORNS” and “PYSCHONAUT,” the band broke into their smash hit “STONEFIST” which was simultaneously met with headbanging, dancing and everything in between. The trio of “NEW COKE,” “FUTURE OF HELL” and “DEMIGODS” came to follow, keeping energy levels high. Fans were then treated to a highly anticipated performance of fan favorite “MAJOR CRIMES” from the band’s contribution to the Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack.

Another highlight from the set was their recent rendition of Deftones’ “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” which was recorded and released as a part of the Spotify Singles program. Their reimagining of the classic track is the epitome of what makes a high quality cover, maintaining a delicate balance of paying tribute to the original version while faithfully carrying out your own vision, infusing your sonic identity and claiming it proudly. That’s precisely what makes HEALTH’s interpretation so powerful, let alone in a live setting where it truly blossomed.

HEALTH closed out their sold out hometown show at the Belasco with the hard-hitting, irresistible final single from RAT WARS, “DSM-V.” The track was ranked at the number two slot on our 2023 song of the year list for a reason. The electrifying instrumentation and energetic electronics transferred seamlessly to the stage setting, the pulsating beat and heavy guitars keeping adrenaline levels high, helping the band end the concert with an unforgettable bang.

HEALTH Setlist
1. IDENTITY
2. GOD BOTHERER
3. CRACK METAL
4. MEN TODAY
5. HATEFUL
6. ZOOTHORNS/PSYCHONAUT
7. STONEFIST
8. NEW COKE
9. FUTURE OF HELL
10. DEMIGODS
11. MAJOR CRIMES
12. UNLOVED
13. THE MESSAGE
14. Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away)
(Deftones Cover)
15. ASHAMED
16. WE ARE WATER
17. FEEL NOTHING
18. DSM-V

Photo Credit: Vivianne Navarrete