Fighter In The Ring Packs a Punch in Indiana’s Local Music Scene

May 26, 2026 Sean Derrick

–by Kaitlyn Putnam

Fighter In The Ring is a five-piece metalcore band based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, delivering high-energy performances and emotionally charged music. Known for tracks like “Hideaway,” “At War With Myself,” and “Crown of Thorns,” the band has quickly built a reputation for bringing intensity and passion to the local music scene.

The lineup features Sam Smith on drums, Ian Murphy on bass, Austin Gardner and Nick Ray on guitar, and Austin Tanner on vocals. Describing their approach to music, the band says, “We keep things simple, write music we care about, and play it loud.”

That philosophy was on full display during their recent performance at The Brass Rail in Fort Wayne on Friday, May 22, where the group brought relentless energy to the stage alongside two other bands worth checking out: New Wound and Deathblight. The band’s style blends heavy breakdowns, melodic guitar work, and raw lyrical themes, creating a sound that feels both intense and deeply personal.

FITR opened their set with a cover of the Power Rangers theme song, immediately winning over the crowd with a wave of nostalgia before launching into their original single, “Hideaway,” introduced by Tanner screaming the song title into the mic. Adding to the band’s unique stage presence, each member wears a different colored bandana during performances, while their significant others wear matching-colored bandanas in the crowd. It’s a small detail that creates a sense of identity and connection between the band and their supporters.

Earlier this month, the band released their newest single, “Leeches on My Skin,” on Spotify and Apple Music and performed it during the Rail show. Tanner commented that it was a strong turnout from local fans, noting that with local gigs, “you never know what locals you’re going to get.”

The band closed the night with “Crown of Thorns,” a punk-inspired track fueled by the frustrations and hardships of everyday life, a reminder that sometimes when one thing goes wrong, everything seems to fall apart all at once. They followed it up with, “U H8 Everything I Write” which the meaning speaks for itself.

If you’re a fan of punk and metalcore melodies mixed with early-2000s nostalgia, make sure to check out Fighter In The Ring on Spotify and Apple Music, or catch them at a show in the Indiana and Ohio area. Their next gig is Saving Vice: The Dream Eater Tour at Stan’s Room inside Century Music Hall on June 4, alongside Roderik, Resider, and Fault of the People.

Check out the gallery of photos from the show after the setlist below.

Fighter In The Ring Setlist: