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Final Night of Falling in Reverse’s “God Is A Weapon” Tour Hits Charlotte: A Night of Genre-Bending Chaos and Catharsis 

All good things come to an end….

Photos by: Kris Engelhart

One try, two tries… third time’s a charm. After rescheduled tour dates, Charlotte finally got its night—and it was the end-of-tour blowout fans had dreamed of. A jam-packed, fan-favorite setlist that most FIR nerds (don’t get bent—I’m one of those nerds) could only hope to witness.

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Finally, the day came: the “God Is A Weapon” tour landed in Charlotte. The wait was worth it. We got the final night of the tour, a stacked setlist, and a bada$$ night of music.

Tonight’s show at PNC Music Pavilion was a rescheduled date from earlier this summer, and let me tell you—it was worth every second. The “God Is A Weapon” tour, helmed by the ever-controversial and undeniably magnetic Ronnie Radke, is a full-throttle spectacle of sound, fury, and unexpected tenderness. From the moment the gates opened, the energy was electric. Fans poured in wearing merch from every era of Falling in Reverse’s evolution—from “The Drug in Me Is You” to the latest single “God Is A Weapon.” The tour has zigzagged across the country with a setlist that’s basically a greatest-hits mixtape of chaos: “Zombified,” “I’m Not a Vampire,” “Losing My Mind,” and “Just Like You” have been staples.

We had a triple start of “F*** You and All Your Friends,” and they made sure to get it right. I loved the vulnerability—not just powering through a false start or missed note, but rewinding and nailing it. We, the fans, deserved that dedication and perfection.

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The Charlotte crowd got the full experience—pyro, lasers, and a stage presence that felt more like a rock opera than a metalcore show. The stage looked like everyone was walking through hell, while massive teleprompters played videos synced to each song. This tour isn’t just a concert—it’s a statement. Radke’s declaration that genre boundaries are meant to be shattered and that theatricality still belongs in rock. The production was slick, transitions seamless, and pacing relentless. Comedic relief came from Ronnie’s “felt son,” Donnie the puppet, who even helped perform a few songs. He’s adorable! The lineup felt curated to reflect Radke’s musical journey: a little punk, a little rap, a lot of metal, and a whole lot of attitude.

The Only Opener: Slaughter to Prevail

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Slaughter to Prevail was the sonic equivalent of a sledgehammer to the face—in the best way possible. Russian frontman Alex Terrible emerged wearing his signature demonic mask and immediately launched into “Demolisher,” sending shockwaves through the pit. Their set was brutal, fast, and cathartic. Tracks like “Baba Yaga” and “Agony” had fans headbanging so hard, I’m pretty sure someone dislocated a vertebra.

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Despite their aggressive sound, there’s a precision to Slaughter to Prevail’s performance that’s almost surgical. The double bass drumming was relentless, and the guitar tone could cut glass. Their presence added a layer of extremity that balanced out the more melodic acts. It was a reminder that metal, at its core, is about release—and tonight, they gave the crowd permission to lose their minds.

Falling in Reverse: The Main Event

While we waited for the band to come out, the crowd sing-along to “In the End” by Linkin Park was cathartic. I just know Chester was looking down, loving it. He was felt tonight.

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After that pause in time, Falling in Reverse took the stage like a hurricane wrapped in neon. A backstage video showed the crew walking from the tour bus to the stage—endearing and inclusive, featuring the full band, crew, and their adorable puppet Donnie. Ronnie Radke, ever the showman, emerged to the haunting intro of “Prequel” before launching into “God Is A Weapon.” The setlist was a rollercoaster of emotion and aggression, blending old-school emo with modern trap beats and metalcore breakdowns. “I’m Not a Vampire” had the crowd singing every word, while “Zombified” felt like a sermon delivered through distortion.

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The band’s journey began in 2008 after Radke’s departure from Escape the Fate. Their debut album, “The Drug in Me Is You,” dropped in 2011 and carved out a niche in the post-hardcore scene. Over the years, the lineup has shifted—most notably with guitarist Max Georgiev and drummer Luke Holland—but the core ethos remains: defy expectations. Their discography spans emo, rap-rock, metalcore, and pop-punk, each album reflecting Radke’s evolving artistry.

Speaking of Ronnie Radke—let’s talk internet feuds. The man is a lightning rod for controversy, clashing with everyone from concert photographers to fellow musicians. But here’s the thing: he owns it. Radke’s social media presence is part rockstar, part reality show, part motivational speaker. He’s unapologetic, often hilarious, and always engaging. Love him or hate him, you’re watching. And that’s the mark of a true entertainer.

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Beyond the drama, Radke is a genre-bending genius. He’s blended trap beats with metal riffs, autotuned vocals with guttural screams—and somehow made it all work. His promotional skills are unmatched: he’s turned TikTok into a marketing machine, and his music videos are mini blockbusters. Offstage, he’s a bird dad (yes, really), and fans often gush about how kind he is in person. Despite the online noise, those who meet him say he’s thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly soft-spoken.

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Falling in Reverse is currently signed to Epitaph Records, and their latest singles have charted impressively across streaming platforms. The fanbase is rabid—equal parts goth, gamer, and glam—and they show up in droves. Tonight’s Charlotte crowd was no exception. From the front row to the lawn seats, everyone was locked in. The tour has been selling out venues nationwide, and with upcoming appearances at Warped Tour and Knotfest Mexico, the momentum isn’t slowing down.

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The night ended with back-to-back hits. “Ronald” was probably my favorite performance of the night. We were told Ronnie was gone—here comes Ronald. Hardcore fans lost their minds. We knew what was coming. When they ripped into “Ronald,” the pyro exploded, and the sound got deeper. Ronnie brought out Slaughter to Prevail vocalist Eric Vanlerberghe to duel over growls and highs. I loved the dichotomy.

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As the sounds faded and the final song, “Voices in My Head,” played, the crowd’s cheers never dwindled. Afterward, the band led a sing-along to Queen’s “We Are the Champions” and took a final tour-night selfie from the stage. Just as quickly as they came, the night ended.

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In short, tonight was a celebration of chaos, catharsis, and community. Falling in Reverse didn’t just play a show—they created a moment. And for those of us lucky enough to be there, it was unforgettable. Whether you came for the breakdowns, the birds, or the beefs, you left with a full heart and ringing ears. Rock isn’t dead—it’s just wearing eyeliner and tweeting in all caps.

See the Full Gallery of the Night Here!


If you captured any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see. 

🌐 fallinginreverse.com

🌐 slaughtertoprevail.com 

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Catch them on tour:

Tour Dates – Falling In Reverse

Nov 15, 2025 – Nov 16, 2025 Vans Warped Tour Orlando, FL
Dec 6, 2025 Knotfest Mexico Mexico City, Mexico City

Falling in Reverse Setlist PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC, USA 2025, God Is A Weapon

The leader of the pack, shutter16.fam, head photographer and brain schemer has been a Charlotte based concert photographer since early 2002. Her passion for photography was cultivated by her grandfather, a very well known and decorated war photographer who put the first camera in her very small hands at the age of three.

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