Review: Nev Pearce
Photography: Dan Maynard

Back in 2001, the world was a simpler place, and the Nu Metal movement was in full swing. Bands like Korn, System of a Down, Deftones, and Papa Roach dominated the airwaves and some of them even made their way into video games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, which only helped catapult them into stardom.

One of those bands was Alien Ant Farm, whose song Wish caught my attention and led me to rush out and buy their ANThology album, which featured their cover of Smooth Criminal—a massive commercial hit at the time but not the best song on the album in my personal opinion, not even close!

It has been 23 years since the band last visited our shores for the Big Day Out tour, and I had always hoped they would return much sooner. But tonight, the wait is finally over as they kick off their long-overdue tour at The Princess theatre in Brisbane with co-headliners Drowning Pool and local legends Frankenbok.

Kicking off the tour are Aussie metal legends Frankenbok, who have recently undergone a lineup change, with founder and guitarist Aaron “Azza Bok” Butler bringing back original vocalist Adam “Hutch” Glynn, alongside Tom Rossell on drums and Owen Spratling on bass.

Opening with “Monk Discipline,” the band launches into their set with raw power and intensity. The true Bok is back, and it shows. There’s a fresh energy on stage with this lineup, and with undeniable chemistry, they’re clearly having a blast!

The majority of their set is built around tracks from their recently released EP, Irrepressible—a well-crafted return to the heavy, chaotic Bok sound they were originally known for. While a few punters called out for their cover of Madison Avenue’s Don’t Call Me Baby, the band has clearly moved beyond that, and focusing on the new material was undoubtedly the right choice as it is so damn good!

As an old-school Frankenbok fan, I’m stoked to see them open tonight’s show and can’t wait to see what the boys do next.

It has been a while since we’ve seen Drowning Pool, but they’ve made a triumphant return down under for this run of shows with AAF, setting the pit off right out of the gate with their hit Sinner.

There’s definitely something about Drowning Pool that connects with Aussie fans—they’re a major drawcard for this tour, and the crowd goes crazy from the get-go. Back-to-back heavy hitters like Enemy, Step Up, One Finger and a Fist, 37 Stitches, and their cover of Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell receive a huge response and keeps the pit going.

Frontman Ryan McCombs is an absolute powerhouse vocalist and it’s great to see him fronting the band again after many years away giving their career spanning material weight and depth especially with tracks like Sermon and Tear Away.

The band also delivers a ripping cover of Cowboys from Hell, serving as a fitting tribute to their mates in Pantera. Guitarist C.J. Pierce shreds Dime’s riffs and solo with both respect and precision, making it one of the night’s standout—and sweatiest—mosh pit moments.

Ending their set with the massive hit Bodies, Ryan McCombs jumps the barrier and gets up close and personal with the fans in the middle of the mosh for a wild singalong during the chorus. The pit transforms into one giant metal party, making for an epic and unforgettable way to close out their set. And with a response like that, you can 100% guarantee the boys will be back sooner rather than later.

After 23 long years, Alien Ant Farm’s return to Australia is long overdue—especially for a band that made such a massive impact the first time around. It’s clear they’ve been missed, as fans like me have turned out in force to pick up where we left off.

The band receives an incredibly warm welcome as they let loose with Courage from their 2001 breakthrough album, ANThology.
They hit the stage with the same high energy I remember, following up with my favorite tracks, Wish and Flesh and Bone. It feels like no time has passed at all, instantly transporting me back to the first time I saw them live.

Vocalist Dryden Mitchell is charismatic and engaging to watch, and he has always been one of my favorite vocalists. His delivery on classic songs like Movies and Attitude, as well as newer tracks like The Wrong Things from their latest album Mantras, is absolutely on point and has the fans hanging on every word.

While many people remember the ANThology era, the band has delivered plenty of great music since, with hits like Glow and These Days serving as a reminder of their incredible songwriting and musicianship. Their ability to craft infectious melodies and dynamic song structures proves that Alien Ant Farm is far more than just nostalgia—they’re a band that continues to impress and evolve even all these years.

The band’s musicianship is incredible to witness live. While I personally believe they were unfairly lumped in with many of the down tuned, simplistic riff-driven bands of the nu-metal era, they prove otherwise on stage. Guitarist Terry Corso, bassist Tim Peugh, and drummer Mike Cosgrove frequently throw in tricks and surprises that highlight their exceptional skill—setting them apart from many of their peers. I’ve always felt their sound had more in common with The Police than with most bands of that era and it’s one of the many reasons I love them so much.

As the night comes to an end with their encore featuring What I Feel Is Mine and their mega-hit cover of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal—complete with a sampled intro of Jackson discussing his thoughts on their version—AAF proves once again why they are one of the best live experiences around. Their energy, musicianship, and connection with the fans is undeniable and hopefully we won’t have to wait another 23 years for their return.