The first thing you need to know about Lakeview is that they want crowds to stage-dive at their shows! This isn't your typical country band experience—Lakeview wants to bring the mosh pit energy to the country rock scene. Once you know that, everything else about this genre-defying band starts to make sense. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and currently based in Nashville, Tennessee, members Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy are taking their passions for metal and Americana and channeling them into an emerging genre that defies easy categorization.
When they launched into their opening track, "Hits Different," you could feel the blend of influences they bring to the table, combining storytelling with riffs that could easily fit into a metalcore set. Throughout the night, this fusion continued as they tore through tracks like "Money Where Your Mouth Is" and "See Me In A Suit," showing off their self-proclaimed "blue-collar country metal" style that’s as much about heavy guitars as it is about genuine, down-to-earth lyrics.
Lakeview is unafraid to be inspired by their influences. Denaro and Healy have described themselves as the "Hatebreed of the country community," and this fearless, intense attitude is evident in their live performances. While Lakeview's shows reflect the spirit of bands like Hatebreed and The Acacia Strain, they bring a unique and fresh perspective by infusing it with a country twist.
Photos: Jared Miller
As they closed the set with “Son Of A,” it became clear that Lakeview’s mission is to break down the walls between genres. Whether you call it “Y’allternative,” “Blue-collar Country Metal,” or something else entirely, they’re proving that you don’t have to fit neatly into a box to connect with fans. Their goal is simple: to annihilate stages with heavy country jams, just like their idols. And judging by the audience's reaction, they’re well on their way.
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