Everything is heavier in Texas, and Upon A Burning Body has proven it

Written and Photographed by

Alan Higgins

Upon A Burning Body came to El Paso, Texas, a trip they don’t mind making whenever they travel across the state. Mosh pit kings, their fans did not disappoint, as the largest mosh pit at the Rockhouse stirred into motion. Opening for the Everything is Heavier in Texas Tour were local bands Burden and Steellake, with Lockjaw and Browning also joining Upon A Burning Body. The night was full of examples that deathcore is even bigger in Texas.

Burden, a hardcore metal band from El Paso, TX, started the night off by bringing raw Texas metal to the Rockhouse. For Burden, music is more than just sound—it is an escape; they want you to walk away wanting more. This five-piece band of friends is currently working on an album to be released in 2026.

Follow their Instagram to get closer to Burden. Join them and feel their emotions and energy.

A band performing on stage with green lights, featuring a vocalist with a microphone, a drummer, and two guitarists. The atmosphere is energetic and lively, typical of a live metal performance.
A musician playing a light blue bass guitar on stage, dressed in a gray hoodie, surrounded by amplifiers in a dimly lit environment.
A musician playing a white electric guitar on stage, illuminated by green lights.
A drummer performing energetically on stage, smiling while playing a colorful drum set under green stage lights.

Steellake is a five-piece metal band from El Paso, a serious metal band that brings all the energy and sound of true El Paso rock. They draw a lot of influence from a fusion of nu-metal and thrash, combined with metalcore and deathcore genres.

Almost to the date, they released their debut album three years ago. From their self-titled album, SteelLake, they performed many songs during the set. This band has so much going for them, with heavy guitar riffs and ripping beats. If you follow these links, you will not be disappointed.

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

A vocalist passionately performing on stage, holding a microphone and delivering an intense performance, with dynamic lighting in the background.
A drummer performing on stage with intense concentration, surrounded by drum equipment and stage lights.
A metal band performing on stage, with a bassist, guitarist, and drummer visible, under vibrant green lights.
A metal band performing live on stage, with intense lighting and musicians actively engaging with the crowd.

Lockjaw, a high-energy, aggressive metal band, brought their Dallas-Fort Worth sound to the West Texas area. These guys hit the stage as a force to watch in the future, riding high on their 2023-released album, Relentless. This band has a fan base that is two decades long, formed in high school, and they bring that experience to the stage.

These guys are a band to keep your eyes on, as they are relentless in their dedication to bringing the best version of heavy metal to the world. Check out the following links.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

A guitarist with long hair performs passionately on stage, holding a bass guitar, set against colorful stage lighting.
A metal vocalist passionately performing on stage, wearing a plaid shirt and a cap, with dramatic lighting and cables in the background.
A metal band performing on stage with dynamic lighting, featuring a vocalist in a plaid shirt and musicians playing guitar and bass.
A crowd at a live metal concert with hands raised in a 'devil horns' gesture, illuminated by stage lights.

The Browning, a synth metal band, brought that heavy rave sound to West Texas. They are a fresh sound criss-crossing the nation, with a huge impact coming from a talented set of musicians. This band has a full tour ready to jump into in 2026, and they have so much to bring to every venue—something new and fresh.

With eight albums under their belt, they are coming at us strong. Their latest 2025 release, Omni (Ultra), featured many hits that they performed, really impressing the crowd. By the end of the night, the mosh pit was in full swing. Check out these links to get a real sense of what this band is all about.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

A male vocalist with tattoos passionately performing on stage, illuminated by dramatic lighting that creates a dynamic atmosphere.
A guitarist performing energetically on stage, with dramatic lighting and a blurred background featuring band equipment.
A vocalist passionately performing on stage with a microphone, while a drummer can be seen in the background, surrounded by stage lights and fog.
A guitarist passionately performing on stage with long hair, while a drummer plays in the background during a live music concert.

Upon A Burning Body, coming from San Antonio, Texas, rounded out a full Texas lineup. Starting in 2005, it was the dream child of Danny Leal, vocalist, and Ruben Alvarez, guitarist, and they then brought in Thomas Alvarez, bassist. It wasn’t until 2010 that they released their debut album, The World Is Ours. But since then, they have released seven albums, the last one as recently as Dec 5 of 2025, Blood of the Bull.  

As the Everything is Heavier in Texas Tour in El Paso ended with the featured artists, the stage went dark, eight video screens lit the room with UABB on every screen, and fog filled the stage. The sound of two acoustic guitars rang out a Mexican melody. The two guitarists in gold masks came from behind the video screens and serenaded the crowd. The lights came up, and the band exploded onto the stage. The crowd went crazy. They opened with “Sangre Del Toro” and then “Hand of God,” both songs performed for the first time on the tour. These tracks were followed by “Sin City,” a classic UABB song and a fan favorite. Minutes after they started performing, the mosh pit started, a classic experience with every UABB performance. As they wrapped up 16 songs later, they ended the night with “Texas Blood Money.”   

Everyone was trying to remember, but the overall count was eight times that Upon A Burning Body had performed in El Paso, one of their favorite places to perform. Given the response from the crowd, this will not be the last time they come to the border town. Look up these links to understand what the draw is to the music of Upon A Burning Body. 

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Two guitarists in masks performing on stage during a metal concert, with a drum set and stage lights in the background.
A tattooed male performer on stage, passionately engaging with the audience while wearing a black shirt and showcasing a dynamic posture.
A musician playing guitar on stage in a dimly lit venue, wearing a black shirt with a graphic design.
A metal band performing on stage, with one guitarist standing on an elevated platform and another bassist playing intensely, surrounded by stage lights and equipment.
Two musicians performing on stage during a concert, one playing a guitar and the other playing a bass guitar, with dramatic lighting and visuals in the background.
Two musicians performing on stage during a live concert, with dramatic lighting and an energetic atmosphere.
Musician performing on stage with a bass guitar during a live concert, illuminated by vibrant lights.
A live performance of a metal band with a vocalist singing and a guitarist playing on stage, illuminated by colorful lights.
A guitarist performing on stage, wearing a jacket with a lightning pattern, focused on playing an electric guitar, with a drummer visible in the background.
A metal band performs on stage in front of an energetic crowd, with bright stage lights and a backdrop featuring their logo.

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