EVA UNDER FIRE SUMMER 2026 TOUR STOPS AT THE WEBSTER UNDERGROUND

Thanks to having a trusty local live music venue like The Webster, we were able to turn a quiet weekend into a rockin one. We caught Eva Under Fire on their Summer 2026 tour with local metalcore band Deceptions as support.

Western Massachusetts five-piece Deceptions fed us a robust ten song set with cuts from their EP This World Is A Lie, their first full length album Conflict, and a surprise cover. They launched an onslaught of heavy hardcore with three from Lie, “T.W.I.A.L.”, “I Am Pain” and “Never Looking Back” before dipping into Conflict for “Entombed”. Deceptions consists of guitarists Mike Mazur and Chris Mayo, bassist Hector Perez, enthusiastic drummer Kyle Menard and singer/frontman Mike Quinones. The sound mix quality on the vocals was iffy when Menard spoke but somehow did not diminish the power in his growls when he sang. A space opened up in the middle of the crowd and the moshers took advantage by dancing and stomping through it. It was back to Lie for “Echoes Of Regret” followed by three Conflict tracks: “Futility”, “Lifeless” and “Reckoning”. They broke out an unexpected cover. It’s no secret I’m not a fan of covers. They performed a power version of Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff” with a slight Deceptions spin on it and I didn’t hate it! I kinda dug it. The set wrapped with “Victim” (Conflict). Wanna sample the Western Mass (413) mosh scene? Give Deceptions a listen.

We hit up Eva Under Fire not only to crank up the volume on our weekend, but because I’d given them a listen and was impressed by frontwoman Amanda “Eva Marie” Lyberg’s pipes. I wanted to find out if she could deliver live. Spoiler Alert: She absolutely can. The Detroit, Michigan five piece pop-punk alt metal band delivered a fourteen song set that pulled from all three of their studio albums. The energy was already flowing off the frontwoman in waves, she was fucking ready to rock. “You here to party tonight!” she yelled before they launched into the first of four tracks from Villainous with “Awakening” and “My Own Name”. Rhythm guitarist Chris Slapnik’s teal axe was as glittery as a xmas ornament and impossible to ignore. He flipped a pick at one point and missed the catch but never a beat. “So this is how you party, huh?” Amanda laughed before introducing “Words You Say”. “We put out a brand new album and we can hear you singing along!” she declared, feeding off the crowd. “So this is The Webster? How bout we headline the big room next time?!” Per the response, the tickets were already bought. “Rockers been through some shit”, Amanda continued, “This song goes out to you” as they tore into “Murder Scene”. Two from Love, Drugs & Misery followed: “The Strong” and one of my faves, the heavier hitting “Comatose”. They kept the momentum with “I Will Fight” from their Heavy On The Heart EP, perfect for the playlist you use to get hyped. Back to LD&M for “Coming For Blood” then all the way back to their debut, Anchors, for “Until Forever”. Eva Under Fire did a cover of Journey’s “Separate Ways” (Blow EP). I’m not a fan of covers. I guess lead guitarist Rob Lyberg is a big Neil Schon fan and I respect that. They did a solid job of it, but it’s been done, like the Daughtry/Halestorm version. Back to the originals with three more from LD&M, “Unstoppable”, “Blow” which included a fun Pantera inspired outro and the song that made fans lose their shit, “Heroin(e)”. “If you know it, sing it with me! You ready for Villainous?!?” She then added coyly, “Features a little girl called Maria Brink”. (on the studio track, Maria wasn’t there) The title track was an explosive closer and the crowd ate it up.

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Eva Under Fire is Chris Slapnik on rhythm guitar, lead guitarist Rob Lyberg, bassist Ed Gawlik and drummer Dave Miller II. The singer, Amanda, has an outstanding vocal range that one hundred percent translates live. I’d describe her voice as Grace Slick dusted with Amy Lee and our photographer added a spoonful of Christina Aguilera into the mix. I’ve said it before, we don’t have enough female bad assery in the genre and Amanda gives us a double dose. Not only does she lead this kick ass band, but she’s also a clinical psychotherapist with a masters degree. This girl checks all the boxes. Eva Under Fire has already been recognized as one of the Artists To Watch, so whatcha waitin for, start watchin.

By Kathi Gullage

photos by Holly Roy photography