Review: Nev Pearce
Photography: Dan Maynard

I’ve said it many times before, but Shihad is a really important band to me. Ever since discovering them back in 1996 on the Big Day Out compilation CD, I’ve been a fan, seeing them countless times over the years. Shihad has always been there, and I never imagined the day would come when I’d be watching them play for the last time.

After 37 years of heavy riffs and epic songs, Jon, Karl, Tom, and Phil have decided to call it a day, playing a string of shows across the country to celebrate their incredible career and legacy. Tonight’s final Brisbane show takes place at one of my favorite venues—The Tivoli.

Unfortunately, due to horrendous Friday traffic heading north, we missed most of Fat Dog and the Tits’ set, but we managed to catch their last song. The band has been compared to Amyl and the Sniffers, but from what I saw, I think that’s an unfair comparison. They seem to have more going on musically, with an interesting sound that I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on for the next time they play.

The national tour opener, Battlesnake, is an interesting choice for this run. Imagine Spinal Tap crossed with Tenacious D. They’re often seen at festivals like Groovin the Moo and Splendour in the Grass, where metal isn’t usually accepted—unless it’s played for laughs for the triple j mainstream alternative crowd.

Dressed in sparkly robes with a giant illuminated red cross as their backdrop, Battlesnake takes the stage to a packed room, doing their best to warm up the crowd with tracks like “I Am the Vomit” and “The Key of Solomon.” By the end of their set, they manage to win the audience over with a big rock finale.

With the most epic intro ever, Shihad hits the stage to thunderous applause, kicking into “Tear Down Those Names” and quickly following it up with “Feel the Fire” from their last album, Old Gods—an incredibly heavy way to start the night.

Their set is a massive 25-song journey through their entire discography, packed with hits and deep cuts that make it feel like we’re traveling back in time with the band. Shihad has always been masters of the riff, and their Old Gods and FVEY material contains some of the heaviest of their career. “Think You’re So Free“—which Jon proclaims as their favorite—has a meaty hook that absolutely smashes the pit, shaking the walls in the process.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard Jon Toogood have an off night on vocals, and tonight is no exception. With one of the most powerful voices in rock, he effortlessly commands the stage, showcasing his incredible range and raw energy. His vocal performance is electrifying, proving once again why he remains one of the most formidable frontmen in rock—and one of my all-time favorites.

Something the band never gets enough credit for is their use of odd time signatures. Take “Alive” from Love Is the New Hate, for example. To the average listener, it’s a great rock tune, but underneath, there’s some seriously intricate songwriting and rhythmic trickery. It takes an incredible level of musical chemistry to pull that off, and after 37 years together, these four are as tight as ever.

“Comfort Me” ignites the energy in the room, leading into the Pacifier era with “Everything” and “Bulletproof,” before launching into the aggressive “My Mind’s Sedate” and “The General Electric.” The latter has always been a live banger, standing strong alongside its other great tracks “Pacifier” and “Thin White Line.”

I’ve seen Shihad countless times over the years, and their energy remains unmatched. It’s something many of us may have taken for granted, thinking they’d always be there. Hearing Karl’s massive bass tone, Tom’s heavy-hitting beats, Phil’s shredding, and Jon’s powerhouse vocals all come together to create something truly special. Many bands could take notes—but that’s what happens when you have a brotherhood that’s lasted 37 years.

The big, emotion-driven choruses have always been a huge draw for me. The song that started it all for me was “Deb’s Night Out” from Killjoy—one of the greatest records of all time. No matter how many times I hear it, it still feels like a punch to the chest, and I can’t help but well up as soon as it starts. Another Killjoy highlight, “You Again,” gets the pit moving with its infectious groove and another one of my favorites as it was one of the first riffs I ever learned on guitar.

They wrap up the set with “Run,” their cover of Split Enz‘s “I Got You,” “Screwtop” from Churn, and the fan-favorite “Home Again.” And just like that, it’s over. It’s hard to believe this was the last time.

For so many of us here, Shihad is more than just a band—they represent different chapters of our lives. I feel incredibly lucky to have had them as part of mine.

Thank you for the tunes, lads. We love you. Stay loud forever!