Review: Nate Rose
After the postponement of the show at The Riverstage a week ago due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, finally last night at The Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, the air was charged with excitement as two of post-hardcore’s most iconic bands Alexisonfire and Underoath joined forces for an unforgettable show. The air was charged with excitement and adding to that anticipation there is GEL an up-and-coming hardcore band from New Jersey, USA, who had the honours of kicking off a night to remember.
GEL, are a no-holds-barred hardcore outfit with a fast-paced hardcore punk sound that set the stage for an evening of catharsis and chaos. Despite being a relatively unknown band to many in the crowd, their unapologetic sound quickly won over fans with their blistering fast riffs and unrelenting energy. Drummer Alex Salter was a standout with his hard-hitting precision drumming making it hard to take your eyes off him. The band as a whole were impressive and it was so great to see a straight up Hardcore Punk band open a show of this Calibre. Their performance was the perfect lead-in, and it won’t be long till we see these guys back on our shores headlining their own tour.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd’s anticipation reached a fever pitch, Underoath stormed the stage, launching directly into They’re Only Chasing Safety, played in its entirety. For fans of the band, this is nothing short of a pilgrimage. The set was an emotional journey from start to finish, and the crowd responded with nothing but passion and nostalgia.
Opening with “Some will seek forgiveness, others escape” and then straight into the haunting “Young and Aspiring,” the band didn’t waste a moment in pulling the audience into their world. Spencer Chamberlain’s ferocious screams and Aaron Gillespie’s precise drumming brought a heightened intensity that was both raw and captivating.
The already frenzied crowd became even more unhinged during fan favorites like “A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White” and “It’s Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door.” The perfect balance between technicality and emotion made every track feel timeless, and the energy from the stage was contagious, especially from guitarist Tim McTague whose energy alone could have powered SEQ last week.
The true standout moments were during “Reinventing Your Exit,” where the entire venue sang along as one massive, unified voice. For many, it was a spiritual experience, reconnecting them with the album that helped define their teenage years. With the crowd still buzzing Chamberlain let the crowd know that they weren’t done yet and that they have a new album about to drop in 2 weeks’ time “You know what that means?
We will be back sooner than you think” then throwing themselves into the huge new single “All the Love is Gone” and “In Regards to Myself” Closing out with a big gun in “Writing on the Walls” from Define the Great Line which had the entire venue singing along once again. Let’s hope Underoath stick to their word and make sure they visit us again very soon.
The stage was set for Alexisonfire and the Canadian post-hardcore legends did not disappoint. Although their set wasn’t dedicated to any one album like Underoath, the band played a mix of fan-favorites across their catalog, with an emphasis on their dynamic and electrifying live energy.
Opening with the epic “Young Cardinals” and Songs like “This Could Be Anywhere in the World” and “Sans Soleil” were met with an uproar of appreciation, as vocalist George Pettit’s raspy screams and Dallas Green’s angelic melodic delivery complemented each other beautifully, driving the crowd into a frenzy. Try and tell me there is a more beautiful voice than Dallas’ I will tell you straight to your face you’re lying.
“Brisbane it almost didn’t happen, where’s the green day show? Who really loves you? Let’s get this moving, come on” Petit proclaimed, referring to a bunch of shows all cancelling without rescheduling due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred last week, and we love you too Alexisonfire, Underoath and GEL for rescheduling and not cancelling, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Alexis‘ then flew into an epic rendition of “We are the Sound” which had every single person in the venue singing along to every word at the top of their lungs.
Their set was full of emotional highs and raw power, with the likes of “Accidents” “Born and Raised” the bands synergy was undeniable.
The air was thick with nostalgia and emotion, yet the performance felt fresh, energetic, and relevant proof that the band continues to evolve while honoring their roots and from the looks of the faces of the punters around me they more than enjoyed what they had been witnessing tonight.
Tonight was a celebration of post-hardcore’s defining moments, a convergence of two of its most influential acts in an epic, once-in-a-lifetime performance. Alexisonfire and Underoath not only brought a show to life in a way that resonated with fans both old and new, but also proved why they’re still revered as pioneers in the genre. If you weren’t in Brisbane for this show, you missed a night for the history books.Tonight was a masterclass in post-hardcore.
It’s clear that these bands still have the power to create unforgettable moments and bring people together through music and I for one hope we get to enjoy these master’s for many years to come.
