Review: Joshua Hobbins
Photography: Nate Rose

Lune kicked off the last show of Sylosis’s first visit to Oz since Soundwave in 2013 with a bang and a chug, setting the tone for the evening. The Melbourne-based band wasted no time letting the crowd know they weren’t here to sip soy lattes—they came to shred. Right from the start, Lune hit us with groove, precision, and an enormous bottom end.

Vocalist Nathaniel Smith stood out with an impressive range, effortlessly transitioning from deep growls to melodic singing, and a stage presence that had the audience hooked. By the time they hit their fourth song, the crowd was already in full swing, with a pit forming to the rhythm of their Meshuggah-inspired riffs and huge breakdowns.

Their performance of Left Behind was a standout, with the song dedicated to the other bands on the final night of the tour. In a rare moment for an opening act, Lune managed to get a wall of death going, leaving the audience buzzing. It was a high-energy set, and their tight performance made them one of the most memorable opening acts I’ve seen recently.

Next up, Canadian seven-piece Angelmaker immediately proved they are more than ready for headliner status. The band, visibly overwhelmed by the incredible response from the Brisbane crowd, wasted no time with their opening track, Creator’s Conscience. Their blend of ferocious riffs and intense, guttural vocals had the audience moshing from the get-go, and the aggressive energy didn’t let up. The dynamic dual-vocal attack of Casey Tyson–Pearce and Ian Bearer showcased their ability to mix melodic elements with pure brutality in songs like Hollow Heart and most recent single, Relinquished.

The heavy hitters continued with Suffer Forever leading into Bloodthirster, with Tyson–Pearce demanding “Let’s see some fucking violence!” A Dark Omen, which, though slightly slower, was no less intense and the dual vocal lines and twin guitar solos tore through the atmosphere, building to an explosive climax. Lazarus, from their 2022 album Sanctum, was another highlight, igniting the crowd with its punchy rhythm and dynamic shifts that had the pit in full force.

Angelmaker’s stage presence and musicality were matched only by their ability to bring the crowd into the performance, especially during Leech, where the audience sang the opening lines back to the band in unison, culminating in a massive beatdown showcasing how crushing deathcore can be when done right.

Finally, Sylosis took the stage with a commanding presence, their intricate blend of thrash and melo-death, keeping the momentum high as the headliner of the night. Opening with Empty Prophets, the band’s aggressive riffs and punishing drums set the tone, with the intricate melodies woven through each song showcasing their technical mastery. As they moved into Pariahs, the deep groove and thrashy riffs blended seamlessly with Josh Middleton’s commanding vocals, filling the venue with a wall of sound.

The energy soared during I Sever, where the pace quickened and the crowd’s enthusiasm matched the frenzy of the music. Sylosis showcased their ability to balance technicality with power, effortlessly shifting between aggressive and melodic moments. A standout moment of the set came with the classic Conclusion of an Age, and the band’s tightness was especially evident with guest drummer, Ali Richardson of Bleed from Within, who took the stage for the tour. His energy was contagious, prompting a massive cheer from the crowd when he performed a shoey during Teras.

Servitude and Altered States of Consciousness showed Sylosis’s prowess in blending complex arrangements with sheer heaviness, keeping the crowd hooked. Poison for the Lost and Descent brought even more intensity, each track showcasing the band’s relentless drive. A Sign of Things to Come was a highlight of the set for me , with its bass-heavy dirge and thick atmosphere fuelling the pit as the crowd surged forward.

Worship Decay was another anthemic moment, bringing the crowd to the brink of chaos, and the final track, Deadwood, closed the night perfectly. The band led the audience into a wall of death that spiralled into an enormous circle pit, capturing the essence of their live show. The crowd left fully satisfied, with Sylosis promising to return soon, humbled by the incredible response from their first headlining tour down under.