Praise, FREE, Abuse of Power, Vantage Point, and Pummel @ Hardcore Stadium

Another hard rockin' gig put on by the stupid idiots from Triple B Records and the last show of the summer slam weekend. Everyone was having fun all night to every band, and two touring bands from Oklahoma were added last minute (Piece of Mind and Upright). the two will not be included in this review but if you enjoy heavy bands I'd recommend them both.
https://pieceofmindhc.bandcamp.com/
https://uprightok.bandcamp.com/

Pummel
Genre: Hardcore/Crossover FFO: Forced Order, Leeway, Cro-Mags

Pummel started the Boston wave for the night. Pummel is a rather newer band, to my knowledge who play hardcore with a thrash metal edge, favorable to anyone who has a Slayer patch stitched on a jacket. Their sound gives off a good NYHC vibe, and you could tell each member was full of passion as they played. For a newer band, the crowd was still reacting positively with some movement and mic shares. Catch these guys at venue near you.

 https://pummelhardcore.bandcamp.com/

Vantage Point
Genre: Hardcore/Hardcore Punk FFO: In My Eyes, Inside Out, Stop and Think

I know I've reviewed Vantage Point before and probably had a different FFO but they're starting to become a favorite for me to see live. Each time Vantage Point plays, they seem to have more and more energy and of course always put their heart into the set. Vantage Point opened with a Turning Point cover (I didn't realize until I was told by a friend) which immediately got the crowd moving. Vantage Point played a few new songs off a promo that was released last week that definitely keep the Boston hardcore vibe going. If theres one thing that will always come to my mind when I think of this band, its definitely Russel's presence as he performs, always spontaneously running back and forth, jumping up and down, I'm shocked at how he doesn't tire out just from a few songs. Always a fun time to see these guys play.

 https://vantage-point.bandcamp.com/

Abuse of Power
Genre: Hardcore FFO: Fury, Turning Point, Have Heart

Abuse of Power from Atlanta was next. This is another band that is slowly becoming a crowd favorite and has surprisingly played Hardcore Stadium more than you would think. Abuse of Power got the crowd wild with their modern aggressive hardcore with a slight melodic edge. Each time these guys play their sets get better and better. Boston tried to make Abuse of Power feel at home. Everyone rushed for the mic for every song they played and there were two steps all around. This band doesn't even need to try to their best for a good crowd reaction far from home.

https://abuseofpower.bandcamp.com/

FREE
Genre: Hardcore FFO: In My Eyes, Turning Point, Bane

Another current favorite of mine for Massachusetts hardcore. FREE is another band whose sets get better and better as they go on. To start, vocalist Patrick Flynn shouted "This is for Massachusetts hardcore!" and proceeded into MA Flex. The song being an anthem the crowd opened up a huge pit and piled up for the chance at the mic. Patrick has reputation of giving inspirational words during his set and stated FREE was meant to be an acronym: Free to be, Right to Choose, Equal to me, Equal to you (as written in the song We Live Free). He stated hardcore is for the youth and its not about trying to get on Warped tour or anything, and gave an appreciative shout to Andy of Praise stating he's done a lot for hardcore. He said a lot and I apologize for not being able to remember it all clearly. The gist of it was basically to keep hardcore alive. FREE of course ended the set with the song We Live Free, and of course this is the signature sing a long song with an even bigger pile up of kids screaming "WE LIVE FREE!". FREE is an incredible band both on the record and live that whether you like them or not, you will see what the hype is about.

https://freehc.bandcamp.com/

Praise
Genre: Melodic Hardcore FFO: Turning Point,  Chain of Strength, GIVE

Praise was the last band to go. In my opinion Praise is probably the ultimate hardcore sing a long band. Not a lot of moshing anything just good vibes, good friends, and good songs. Praise are also a very unique hardcore band playing a very melodic style with indie and 90's inspired riffs and self persevering lyrics. The crowd was up front and personal during the set singing every word with the guitar melodies that you could fall asleep to, and if I recall cprrectly they also played a cover near the end of the set, can't say I recognized it though. Praise don't play shows as often as others and haven't come to Boston since America's Hardcore Fest back in December and the fans having building tension ever since and showed just as much passion as the band. If you hear of Praise playing near you, I would recommend seeing them, it might be a while before they come back.

https://reactrecords.bandcamp.com/album/leave-it-all-behind

Trapped Under Ice, Fury, Freedom, and Firewalker at the Middle East

Hardcore heroes Trapped Under Ice tore up the downstairs venue of the middle east with support. The show was as wild as you would think with TUI's first Boston show since the hiatus and the ever growingly popular Fury and Freedom and the brute force of Firewalker. Part of Triple B records' summer slam, with Big Contest, Glory, and Ammunation playing an after show down the street at HC stadium (unfortunately I did not attend) and Praise, FREE, and Abuse of power w/ support the next day (will be reviewed next time)

Firewalker

Genre: Hardcore Punk FFO: Chain Rank, Leather Daddy, Bikini Kill

Firewalker opened up the night with what I thought was their best sounding set yet. Firewalker played their brand of hardcore with just plain mean sounding riffs, aggressive drumming, and absolutely angry vocals. Unfortunately to the crowd, their sound was not what they were used to and didn't seem to amused compared to the other bands (their loss). There were a bunch of girls, and a few guys, rushing for the mic for certain songs and still moshed. Firewalker has a reputation of getting the girls involved in hardcore and write songs about equality and women's rights. Firewalker played a short set but still filled with just as much energy that they have for any show that they would play. Personally I consider this band very underrated and hope their set left a mark on the crowd that night.

https://firewalkerhc.bandcamp.com/album/firewalker

Freedom

Genre: Hardcore/Hardcore punk FFO: Warzone, Breakdown, Underdog

Freedom was up next. Personally I was surprised at the reaction this band received. To my knowledge I associated Trapped Under Ice fans as the kids who are into the heavier side of hardcore and basically disown the punk side but a great portion of the crowd got down and dirty with them. Freedom broke into their aggressive hardcore songs about perseverance and patriotism with the crowd slamming into each other with just as much energy, especially during Freedom Slam. Primarily they played a lot off of Pay the Price which in my opinion was the best release withe just a few new songs and USA Hardcore songs sprinkled in. They even threw in a cover by the band Rixe and said its for the old school fans, unfortunately this was not a very old school crowd and no one really reacted to the cover. over all Freedom had tons of energy with the crowd with plenty of stage dives, moshing and pile ups for the mic.

Fury

Genre: Hardcore/Hardcore punk FFO: Free At Last, Protester, Abuse of Power

Fury definitely prepared the crowd for TUI. A very wild performance by another band that surprised me with the crowd reaction. The crowd probably had double the energy they had for Freedom during this set. Fury had a strong reaction from the start with the crowd mic rushing for just about every song and tons of movement in the pit. At one point there was a pileup of kids that got too out of hand that a security guard seemed to get pulled into it. Another guard had to come to rescue him and calm everyone down. I remember seeing Fury when they first started out and not many people even knw who they were, they've come a long way since then and it shows. With their growing popularity, I hope it influences people in the heavier side to get into for hardcore on Fury's side (it probably won't but whatever).

Trapped Under Ice

Genre: Hardcore FFO: Turnstile, Angel Du$t (literally the two bands combined)

Trapped Under Ice haven't played Boston since 2013 I believe, and fans have been waiting for them ever since. As soon as Justice walked out, the whole room erupted none stop into endless ruckus. Everyone no matter where they were knew every word to every song and every mosh riff it was ridiculous. Mosh pits formed out of nowhere in random spots, a few people got carried out, a friend of mine told me there was even a fight 10 seconds into the set. Trapped Under Ice proved they are still the kings of modern hardcore joining together multiple crowds from different branches of hardcore and came close to if not selling out the venue. Ending with the song Pleased to Meet You, everyone screamed at the top of their lungs "You Shake my hand, say pleased to meet you, look me in the eyes, I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!" and no matter where you were you were moving. I haven't seen TUI since high school so I'm gald I got to see them once again but deeply regret missing the after show hope you weren't dumb like me.

Cult of Luna w/ Julie Christmas, Whores. and Dälek at the Palladium

I'm still in shock from this show. Absolutely incredible all the way through, and made me completely forget that I was even at one of my least favorite venues in Massachusetts. The sound was incredible and I knew it would be worth missing Cro-Mags and Eyehategod. A very odd and mixed bill that is very unusual to be at the Palladium which is mostly known for booking larger more commercial acts, but nonetheless it was still mindblowing.

Dälek
Genre: Experimental/industrial/hip-hop FFO: Cannibal Ox, Death Grips, Marilyn Manson
As soon as I saw Dälek on the flier, I knew I didn't want to miss it. Dälek are a very unusual hip-hop collective that I like to describe as "rap for metal kids". Its difficult to explain. I've seen very few hip hop sets in my time but Dälek was definitel the best one. The lighting was dimmed down and blood red as the 3 piece performed. The crowd was very into it. parts of the songs where there wouldn't be vocals you would hear MC Dälek let out a loud un-amplified scream. For a hip hop set, it made me feel like i was in a foggy forest at midnight seeing silhouettes running around in my peripherals. Dälek prepared the crowd for the rest of the show with their eerie take on hip hop and ended with the MC saying "Mad respect for Whores. mad respect to Cult of Luna, both incredible bands, hope y'all got ear plugs". A very hip hop statement but also foreshadowing two loud and amazing sets to come, and damn were they right. They also announced a new album being released in September on Epitaph records.

Whores.
Genre: Noise rock/hardcore/sludge metal FFO: Unsane, Black Tusk, Torche
I'll be honest, I listened to Whores. once before this set and thought they were alright but wasn't impressed. This set made me regret ever thinking that. Whores. began with vocalist/guitarist Christain Lembach making the statement of why he was sitting, by the way he was sitting. He stated that he was injured and had a cast on his leg, and he had two options: let down Cult of Luna and  Dälek or sit, and he chose to sit, and we were all glad he did. Whores. played a very spontaneous set with every member of the band, including Christian, was full of energy, with rambunctiously movements on stage. Just from the first song I thought "this is way better than what I was expecting". The band would constantly play Unsane inspired riffs that were all over the place but still in time with the drumming with odd time changes that make you pay attention but still keep a good rock 'n' roll vibe. Just when you think the song ends when the notes drone out, the drumming changes and the song continues. The last song ended with the members chaoticly playing their instruments, and then Christian got up on with his injured leg and joined his fellow band mates, very reminiscent of The Dillinger Escape Plan. The set ended with Christian saying "You don't want to miss Cult of Luna I've gotten to see them a few times now and its incredible" then got on his crutches and walked off stage.

Cult of Luna (w/ Julie Christmas)
Genre: Atmospheric Post Metal FFO: ISIS (the band), The Ocean, Rosetta
Incredible. Amazing. So amazing. Absolutely insane. I was hearing these comments all night whether it was during or after the show. Mariner was one of my favorite releases last year and I was more than excited to hear it live. The lights completely shut off and the beginning echo of Greater Call blasted over the speakers. The band walked out and then Julie followed and appeared to be dressed as some kind of space warrior with black makeup over the top half of her face and a sci fi looking dress and Christmas lights around the mic. The room was full of smoke. The music began and the lighting came on and was projected behind the band. All you saw was silhouettes. The lighting constantly changed with the music, and the sound was clear as day, I'm willing to say the sound was just as incredible as when I saw Neurosis. The atmosphere they created really made you feel like you were on the S.S. Needle and crash landed on an uncharted planet in a whole different dimension. Julie would dance with the music and come up close to the crowd and scream in their faces. When Approaching Transition began, Julie went off stage and I believe it was the bassist (definitely the youngest member) began seeing his part. For the last song Julie let out her final scream and a white light began flashing with the drums and got faster and faster to the point where it basically was a strobe light, the band walked off stage, the lights came back on, and everyone was home on earth and completely blown away by the performance. Definitely one of the best shows I've ever gone to in my life and if you know me you know I've been to a ton.

Michelle Branch at the Paradise Rock Club

Michelle Branch played a once in a lifetime show at the Paradise with special guests HAERTS. It was as nostalgic as you would think and it reminds you of that teenage romance movie you saw that one time. As someone who still has the style, lingo, music taste, and all around mindset of the early 2000s, I was really looking forward to this one

HAERTS
Genre:Synth/Dream pop/Indie FFO: The Naked and Famous, CHVRCHES

This was my first time seeing HAERTS but they definitely started the show strong. They said at one point each of them lived in Boston, with one touring member that still lives here. The band's sound was like indie pop with a slight electronic and beachy sound that makes you feel like you're having a dream sequence on vacation. They definitely set the stage and got fans rev'd up for the headliner they waited years for. Any fans of shoegaze or dream pop could get into HAERTS' take on pop music.

Michelle Branch
Genre: Pop Rock FFO: Vanessa Carleton, Avril Lavigne, Taylor Swift (Red)

Now when I heard about this show I said to myself " Michelle Branch at the paradise? Thats never gonna happen again why not?". Needless to say I made the right decision. Michelle Branch Released a new album called The Hopeless Romantic a few months back and opened with two new songs that definitely keep her 2004 vibe alive and well. She then proceeded to play You Get Me and All You Wanted. Most of the crowd was there for the early songs, myself included, and sang their hearts out for each one. She also dedicated the song, The Game of Love, that she wrote with Santana to a young couple who got engaged during her soundcheck. for the most part her set consiste of newer songs witht the older ones sprinkled in, of course the old ones being the hits. She also stated her daughter just turned 12 which is scary for her considering she still views herself as 17 ( I know how she feels). ending her set with a new song, she came back and encored with Goodbye to You, and of course, Everywhere. Goodbye to You was played normally, but the rest of the band walked off stage after leaving only Michelle and her guitar to play Everywhere and it was beautiful. Definitely a memorable night that I am more than happy to have attended.

Neurosis, Converge, and Amenra at the Royale

The day I've waited years for. Three of the most incredible bands played the same stage in one night and it was one of the most phenomenal shows I've ever attended.

Amenra
Genre: Post-Metal/Sludge Metal FFO: ISIS (the band), Celeste, Zao

Personally, I never thought I would ever get the chance to see this band for as long as I lived. Amenra definitely opened the show right showering a dark atmosphere of despair. The lights were off and a projection screen was behind them playing black and white scenes of a gloomy forest and the whole time, because of the lighting, all you would see is the silhouettes of the band playing there instruments. As heavy as Amenra is, the distortion from the guitars, as loud as they were, sounded clear as day, as did the bass, and the vocals were a faint echo of a raspy screech that put together will plunge you into despair. I would definitely say Amenra was a perfect opener for the tour especially considering most of the crowd was there for the set ( very rare to see that nowadays), but also because in a way, Amenra combine the sound of Neurosis and Converge but still make it their own, a very sorrowful, and dissonant sludge metal sound.

Converge
Genre: Mathcore/Metalcore/Post-Metal FFO: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Botch, Cave In

I don't even know where to start. This was my third time seeing Converge and they blow me away more and more with each performance. This was the type of set I never wanted to end. While Amenra set the stage with more of feeling of despair, Converge came and the whole place erupted into pure chaos. Opening up with the song Dark Horse, I've never seen a mosh pit form so quickly. I'm not going to be cocky and get into what I went through in the pit or anything, (Converge being one of the only bands I mosh to), but I love to join in madness. Everyone was jumping for the chance at a mic share for Aimless Arrow, tons of two stepping to Trespasses. Converge played one new unreleased song, and from what I remember it was more on the artsy post-metal side of their style but still very heavy. They also played the two new songs on the ep that came out recently, first with the song "Eve" with its slow atmospheric side, and as the song ended the feedback from the amps continued to drone until Jacob Bannon said the words "I Can Tell You About Pain" and once again the chaos returns. Of course ending with the signature songs: Concubine, Eagles Become Vultures and then of course Jane Doe. endless violence and crowd surfs came from Concubine and Eagles, then massive sing a longs for Jane, with some more chaos in the pit. Jacob Bannon of course ending the set by throwing the mic up into the rafters, just as he did last time Converge played the Royale. Like I said before I can't get enough of this band, the live performances are just as incredible as the record if not better and the crowd always goes absolutely insane. Converge is a highly influential band for both metal and hardcore that you must experience live.

Neurosis
Genre: Post-Metal/Sludge Metal/ Tribal FFO: Cult of Luna, ISIS (the band), The Ocean

Let me start by saying, as much as I really wanted to I could not stay the whole set because of my job requiring me to get up earlier than normal. I managed to catch the first few songs from Neurosis so this may be a short review. Neurosis opened with the song Lost off of Enemy of the Sun and even played the sample at the beginning. as the sample ended and the music began, I was amazed by how perfect the sound quality was. I felt like i was literally listening to the record on vinyl except louder and heavier, its very hard to describe but it was mind blowing. throughout the night people have told me about Neurosis's last tour with The Body and Sumac and everyone said the same thing, Neurosis is the heaviest act they've ever seen. Scott Kelly and Steve Von Till being the two main vocalists have been doing it for over 20 years, and both their voices sound exactly the same as they started the band in '85. I only caught 4 songs I believe but the last song I got to hear was my personal favorite, Locust Star, and it was the heaviest song I've heard all night and Neurosis played it flawlessly and it didn't even look like they were trying. As I said its difficult to describe the experience you get from seeing Neurosis but I've waited years to see them and it was definitely worth the wait. You've never seen a band like this.