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By Jimmy Sorrells \u2013 Stage Manager<\/strong> On August 2nd, The Premier in Hickory, NC hosted something far greater than a concert\u2014it hosted a movement. The second annual Breaking Darkness Music Festival<\/em> brought together faith, hard rock, heavy metal, and a mission to break chains and lift up the name of Jesus. As the stage manager, I had the privilege of experiencing it all\u2014up close, behind the scenes, and sometimes right in the thick of the mosh pit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This all-day event featured nine powerful performances, hundreds of attendees, food trucks, passionate volunteers, and most importantly\u2014purpose. With every ticket sold and every piece of merch moved, we raised over $4,000<\/strong> to support three addiction recovery nonprofits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All three are doing vital, gospel-centered work to help men and women break free from the bondage of addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A heartfelt thank you goes to Seth Olsen<\/strong>, guitarist for the band Counter<\/em>, and the driving force behind this entire festival. His dedication, organizational effort, and commitment to Christ made Breaking Darkness a reality. From coordinating the lineup to working out the logistics, Seth worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Without him, this event simply would not have happened. And looking ahead, he\u2019s already praying for the right people to come alongside him to take Breaking Darkness 2026<\/em> even further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jennifer Alvarado<\/strong> Tricord<\/strong> Igniting the Sky<\/strong> Saving Darkness<\/strong> Counter<\/strong> Cleansing of the Temple<\/strong> Set For The Fall<\/strong> Ignescent<\/strong> Disciple<\/strong> At one point during a longer changeover, Billy James performed a spoken word piece that completely shifted the atmosphere. What could have been an awkward pause became a sacred moment. Billy reminded everyone that this wasn\u2019t just a festival. It was an altar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As stage manager, I saw the day unfold from a different angle. The team effort was incredible\u2014techs, volunteers, artists, vendors, and the venue all worked together with clarity, purpose, and unity. From the first soundcheck to the final load-out, it felt like more than just good planning\u2014it felt like divine coordination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Breaking Darkness Festival 2025 was more than music. It was mission. It was ministry. It was a gathering of the remnant\u2014a bold, loud, passionate expression of faith through hard rock and heavy metal. Chains were broken. Lives were touched. Jesus was glorified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And this is only year two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019d do it all again tomorrow. Let\u2019s go even bigger in 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Jimmy Sorrells \u2013 Stage ManagerSecond Annual Breaking Darkness Music Festival On August 2nd, The…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":15172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1021,1025],"tags":[3244,2626,2925,595,1415,2987,2988,2986,2111,3245,2567],"class_list":["post-15711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features-d97","category-live-report","tag-breaking-darkness-festival","tag-cleansing-of-the-temple","tag-counter","tag-disciple-d7","tag-ignescent","tag-igniting-the-sky","tag-jennifer-alvarado","tag-saving-darkness","tag-set-for-the-fall","tag-spoken-word-moment","tag-tricord"],"yoast_head":"\n
Second Annual Breaking Darkness Music Festival<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Special Thanks<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Band Performances (Official Set Order)<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Kicking off the day with authenticity and worship, Jennifer Alvarado delivered a heartfelt set that brought peace and reflection. Her vulnerability and vocal strength were the perfect start, offering a powerful contrast to the heavier acts that followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was my first time seeing Tricord, and they exceeded all expectations. Lead vocalist Jermaine was a standout\u2014not only fronting the band with energy and conviction, but also joining other artists on stage throughout the day. Whether in the crowd or sharing vocals with Cleansing of the Temple and Ignescent, his presence was magnetic. Their set was tight, worshipful, and left a lasting impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a high-energy post-hardcore set, Igniting the Sky brought the volume and chaos in the best way. Their performance was engaging, relentless, and full of fun. This was a set that got faces melted and fists in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These guys came in swinging with their own brand of heavy hard rock. The chemistry on stage was clear, and their connection with the crowd was undeniable. Their set was one of the most interactive and entertaining of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Female-fronted and full of grit, Counter offered something unique and refreshing. The vocals were strong and captivating, and their sound hit with a perfect blend of melody and edge. Seeing Seth Olsen rip it on guitar, knowing he organized the whole event, added an extra layer of respect to their set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Undoubtedly the heaviest band of the day, Cleansing of the Temple brought crushing death metal riffs and deep growls that rumbled through the floor. Frontman Gavin hit the stage in his trademark look: overalls, no shirt, no shoes. Their intensity was unmatched and brought raw, unfiltered energy that pushed the boundaries of Christian heavy music\u2014in all the right ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A crowd favorite from start to finish, Set For The Fall delivered a set full of powerful hooks, emotional lyrics, and undeniable presence. Their performance was heartfelt and hard-hitting, creating one of the most memorable moments of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was not just a show\u2014it was an experience. Theatrics and power collided as frontwoman Jennifer emerged from a coffin during their opening song, immediately captivating the crowd. Their fusion of metal, hard rock, and melody was polished and immersive. Ignescent knows how to build an atmosphere and deliver impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The headliner and veterans of the genre, Disciple closed the night with exactly what we all expected\u2014pure, passionate, purpose-driven rock and roll. Their set was relentless, their message bold, and their performance nothing short of professional. They shouted the name of Jesus from the stage while delivering hit after hit. Disciple continues to be one of the most consistent and inspiring bands in Christian music today.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpoken Word Moment<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Behind the Curtain<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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