Review: Joshua Hobbins
Photography: Nate Rose
On a cool Sunday evening, the Princess Theatre played host to a lineup that perfectly represented hardcore’s past, present and future. Local favourites Wetwork opened proceedings, Iron Mind reinforced their position as one of Australia’s finest hardcore bands, Boston’s Haywire delivered one of the most energetic sets Brisbane has seen this year, and finally, Florida pioneers Poison The Well reminded everyone exactly why their influence still looms so large.
Opening the night, Wetwork wasted no time winning over the growing crowd. The Brisbane outfit blended metallic hardcore aggression with enough individuality to avoid feeling confined by genre expectations. It was particularly refreshing to see bassist Noah attacking the songs fingerstyle, adding a dynamic feel that stood out amongst the night’s relentless heaviness, while frontman Lucas commanded attention throughout, and from the opening notes the crowd responded with enthusiasm.
Tracks including Sulfate and Streak of Misery landed with considerable force, while set closer Wet Work provided the perfect ending to an impressive opening performance. Judging by the crowd reaction, the band’s momentum is continuing to build.
Melbourne hardcore veterans Iron Mind delivered a performance built on passion, authenticity and sheer power. Frontman Sam Octigan remains one of the most compelling figures in Australian hardcore, throwing himself into every lyric with an intensity that is completely genuine.
Behind him, the band were flawless. The rhythm section of Daniel Collins (bass) and Josh Barclay (drums) locked in with military precision, while guitarists Neil Bloem and Akira Asahina added huge crew vocals that elevated the songs even further. There was a confidence about Iron Mind’s performance that only comes from years of experience, and a catalogue packed with modern hardcore classics.
More Pain, How You Get Down and Test of the Iron Mind all drew massive responses, but it was Dog Will Hunt that felt genuinely dangerous. The pit exploded into life as bodies collided from every direction, creating one of the most chaotic moments of the evening.
Already one of Australia’s most respected hardcore bands, Iron Mind continues to get better with every passing year.
By the time Haywire took the stage, the venue was packed and the anticipation was palpable. The Boston outfit immediately justified every bit of hype surrounding them.
Frontman Austin Sparkman was phenomenal. Possessing equal parts charisma, humour and sincerity, he effortlessly connected with the audience between songs while maintaining complete control of the room once the music started. Every story, every interaction and every introduction felt genuine, helping forge an immediate connection with the Brisbane crowd.
Musically, Haywire were equally impressive. Tracks like Hang Up The Telephone, Summer Nights, Get To Steppin’ and Poser Disposer transformed the floor into absolute chaos, while the band’s massive sound filled every corner of the theatre.
The crowd also embraced the band’s eclectic selections, from a spirited rendition of The Angels’ Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again (complete with the obligatory No way, get fucked, fuck off! retort from the crowd) through to a heartfelt cover of Title Fight’s Shed. Rumours circulated throughout the evening that Haywire may be returning to Australia in August. Based on the response they received in Brisbane, a return trip can’t come soon enough.
Then came the kings.
More than two decades after helping define metalcore, Poison The Well remain one of the most revered bands to emerge from the genre’s formative years. Any concerns that time may have diminished their impact were quickly erased as soon as Botchla erupted through the Princess Theatre PA.
Vocalist Jeffrey Moreira was immense throughout the night, seamlessly moving between crushing lows and soaring melodic passages. Few vocalists have ever balanced vulnerability and aggression quite the way Moreira does, and hearing these songs performed live again served as a powerful reminder of just how influential Poison The Well’s sound remains.
The band themselves were exceptional. Ryan Primack and Vadim Taver’s relentless guitar work drove the performance forward, their right hands rarely slowing down as riff after riff from 1999’s seminal metalcore classic, The Opposite of December…A Season of Separation, poured from the stage. Bassist Noah Harmon brought both a commanding stage presence and a thunderous tone, while drummer Chris Hornbrook looked remarkably comfortable despite navigating some of the most intricate and energetic material of the evening.
What was perhaps most surprising was just how fast everything felt. Hornbrook attacked the quicker passages with a ferocity that exceeded expectations, injecting fresh urgency into songs that many in the crowd have been listening to for more than twenty years.
Highlights were everywhere.
Slice Paper Wrists, A Wish For Wings That Work, 12/23/93, To Mandate Heaven, Artist’s Rendering of Me, Ghostchant, Parks and What You Meant To Me and My Mirror No Longer Reflects all generated enormous reactions, but it was Everything Hurts from this year’s Peace in Place album that stood tallest for me amongst an already stacked setlist.
Its chorus remains one of the finest melodic moments metalcore has ever produced, and hearing it resonate throughout the packed theatre was genuinely special.
Closing with Nerdy, Poison The Well delivered the perfect ending. Haywire’s Austin Sparkman joined the band on vocals before the rest of Haywire eventually made their way onto the stage, transforming the song’s closing moments into a celebration of community, influence and shared passion.
Having first seen Poison The Well at Brisbane’s Arena in 2004, I wasn’t expecting this performance to rival that memory. It did. In fact, it may have surpassed it.
– GALLERY –
