Power Trip Reunites for Surprise Performance in Austin, Honouring Late Frontman Riley Gale
In a poignant and unexpected turn, the renowned crossover thrash band Power Trip made a surprise appearance on Friday night (December 1) in Austin, Texas. The performance, held at Mohawk, marked their first since the tragic loss of their frontman Riley Gale three years ago.
Joining the surviving members—Blake Ibanez (guitar, vocals), Nick Stewart (guitar, vocals), Chris Whetzel (bass), and Chris Ulsh (drums)—was Seth Gilmore from Skourge, also a member of Fugitive, a band co-founded by Ibanez last year. Power Trip stepped in as surprise headliners for the show, initially led by Fugitive.
The emotional set included “Soul Sacrifice,” “Executioner’s Tax,” “Hornet’s Nest,” and “Manifest Decimation,” culminating with a heartfelt rendition of “Crucifixation.” Early in the set, Ibanez acknowledged the long hiatus and expressed gratitude towards Gilmore for his vocal contributions.
The band’s comeback is shadowed by the memory of Gale, who passed away in August 2020 at the age of 34. The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s office attributed his untimely death to the toxic effects of fentanyl, marking it as accidental. Gale’s legacy continues, as he was posthumously honoured with the naming of a new library at the Dallas Hope Center, a shelter for LGBTQ+ youth, and through his contributions to the music industry, including a guest appearance on BODY COUNT’s album “Carnivore.”
The concert, which also featured performances by DRESSCODE and NINTH CIRCLE, had been teased as featuring a “special guest,” creating a buzz that led to a near-sell-out crowd.
Power Trip, known for their albums “Manifest Decimation” (2013) and “Nightmare Logic” (2017), with the latter peaking at No. 22 on Billboard’s Hard Rock Albums chart, had been working on a third album at the time of Gale’s passing. Their impact on the metal scene remains significant, as evidenced by the outpouring of tributes from fellow artists and fans alike following Gale’s death.
Last night’s concert not only served as a tribute to Gale’s memory but also as a testament to the enduring spirit and influence of Power Trip in the metal community.
