Song Spotlight: Holy Wars' Metamorphosis (a night at Pico Union Project)

As I mentioned in my Ramonda Hammer write up (you can read that here), I had a rather thrilling back to back nights in the Los Angeles music scene. Thursday night it was Ramonda Hammer at The Goldfish and then Friday night (11/21) it was off to see Holy Wars at Pico Union Project. Those two bands are two of my favorite bands in Los Angeles and it had been a rather long time since I last saw either band on stage. 

Holy Wars at Pico Union Project

When it comes to Holy Wars, the last time I caught a set was back in Nov 2019 when I did a review of the night for Buzzbands (you can read that article here). Co-headlining that night was Draemings. If you read my blog posts, you no doubt know my long music association with Kimi Recor of Draemings. I have a similar long music association with Holy War's Kat Leon and Nicolas Perez. I first came across Holy Wars in 2017 at Harvard & Stone when the band played alongside desert rockers Bone Acre. Five years earlier, I came across the two bandmates in a band called Sad Robot (you can click on this Spotify link if you're interested in hearing that band's music). Sad Robot dropped off my radar after that though I know they were active as of July 2025 via this Buzzbands article. 

Holy Wars at Pico Union Project

As I hung out at Pico Union Project prior to their set, it was fun catching up with familiar faces. I learned one fun fact about one individual. She used to go out exploring for new bands 7 nights a week. One year, she said that for Lent she made a decision to sacrifice eliminating one night out a week, meaning she still went out 6 nights a week. I do think it is a good policy to respect religious beliefs, but I did have to laugh at that. I mean, wouldn't a Lent sacrifice be more like giving up 3 or 4 nights out? Anyways, in 2025, I've tried to limit my outings to 3 nights a week (not always successful). I suppose some people would think that going out to catch bands 3 nights a week is crazy, but put that into perspective with 7 nights a week - ha ha. 

It has been so long since I've last seen Holy Wars play a set so I suspect this night was the first time I've heard any of the songs on their setlist live. The oldest song of the night was "MY DRUGS ARE DIGITAL," which was released in 2022.

Holy Wars at Pico Union Project

For me, there was just this intense anticipation of wanting to see the band hit the stage. I suspect for many in the audience, as well, as the crowd pressed around the stage. If I heard conversations correctly, many of those at the front of the stage were those who had participating in the band's music videos. It should be noted that Pico Union Project is housed in Los Angeles' oldest synagogue building and so the stage has a church / synagogue look, which means there are aisles along the side for the synagogue staff to exit to the preparation area behind the main hall. So the crowd was looped around the stage. Above the stage on a balcony is a pipe organ, which comes into play later in this write-up. 

The band recently released an extended single for their song "Metamorphosis," which included the song "I Feel Everything" that they performed to open the night. It has a heavy metal beat that is an instant head banger. That band went straight into (I believe an unreleased single) "Kill the Light" from there. Leon was engaged with the audience throughout, going over to the edges of the stage to give some physical touch to those she recognized. The audience responded with arms stretching out towards the stage. 

Holy Wars at Pico Union Project

Introduction words to the song "CULT CLASSIC," "We're living in a horror show in this country." 

For "Hurt," Leon walked off the stage and through a door that separated the hall from the preparation area. She re-emerged a minute later over-looking the audience from the pipe organ balcony. A cathartic moment for all.   

The band used the night to test out some new material. They closed out the set with "Shadowalker" (maybe Shadow Walker) and "Ceremony." For "Ceremony," it was nice seeing a familiar move by Leon. She dropped off the stage and onto the floor where she joined the audience to the Industrial inspired beats. I do believe they have a couple winners there. When "Ceremony" ended, someone immediately yelled out, "Hell, yeah." That wasn't the only positive feedback, because the crowd erupted in cheers. 

Holy Wars at Pico Union Project

Kat Leon was fierce on stage. She sported red hair and was dressed in a black bodysuit. It was as if she was ready to battle the White Walkers in Game of Thrones. It matches well with my song spotlight, which goes to "Metamorphosis." Via a Instagram post, the band writes: It was painful to write this at the time of another loss in my life but was necessary to help me heal through it . . . Metamorphosis is a turning point, leaving the shadow behind and beginning again into the light.    

The song came right after "Hurt." The band was already playing and Leon started to sing the first couple lines before coming out on stage. The song has a battle cry rhythm that sent Leon into a hair flinging frenzy. A warrior for those in need for transformation.

I have come all this way not knowing how or why
I've felt all this pain, tasted each death in my life

Setlist: I Feel Everything, Kill the Light, Crucify, BODY//TEMPLE, CULT CLASSIC, MY DRUGS ARE DIGITAL, Hurt (Nine Inch Nails cover), Metamorphosis, Shadowalker, Ceremony.