Chiodos Celebrate 20 Years of All’s Well That Ends Well at the RMA
On the cool evening of December 20, 2025, Chiodos transformed the Riverside Municipal Auditorium into the epicenter of emotion, chaos, and cinematic intensity. Outside, winter air settled over downtown Riverside, but inside the historic venue, the atmosphere was anything but cold. The night marked a significant milestone for the band—a 20th-anniversary celebration of their landmark album All’s Well That Ends Well—and the RMA proved the perfect setting for a show rooted in both nostalgia and unrelenting energy.
The night began with guest appearances from HOLYWATR and Big Ass Truck I.E., injecting intense energy into a volatile set. Each song pushed the crowd deeper into a frenzy, fueling the pit and sending even more fans airborne. These moments reinforced the sense that this performance was not just a tour stop but a shared celebration of the band’s history and impact.
From the moment Chiodos hit the stage, the energy in the room was unmistakable. An endless mosh pit churned across the floor, reigniting with every breakdown, while waves of crowd surfers moved steadily toward the barricade throughout the set. The band tore through the most iconic and fan-favorite songs from All’s Well That Ends Well, prompting nonstop movement and collective sing-alongs from a crowd that knew every word. The contrast between the crisp night outside and the heat of the packed floor inside only intensified the experience.
Craig Owens’ performance was incredible—powerful, controlled, and emotionally charged. Whether delivering soaring melodies or cutting through the mix with piercing screams, Owens commanded the room effortlessly, reminding the audience why All’s Well That Ends Well remains such a pivotal album in the band’s legacy two decades later.
The lighting design enhanced every moment with sharp strobe lights, deep shadows, and dramatic washes of light that framed the band in a cinematic and intentional way. Each lighting cue emphasized the breakdowns and transitions, visually reinforcing the chaos unfolding below the stage, where bodies collided and fans were lifted overhead.
As a photographer documenting the show, I found the visual elements to be as compelling as the music itself. Condensation hung in the air, sweat shimmered under the stage lights, mosh pits erupted, hands reached skyward, and a swarm of crowd surfers created an electrifying atmosphere. The night felt complete. Every frame captured the same narrative: a band fully locked in, a crowd that refused to slow down, and a venue pulsing with raw emotion.
