Words by: Matt New
Photos by: Angie New
After a prolonged absence from Australian shores, Latin-American nu-metal stalwarts Ill Niño made a fiery return to Sydney’s Liberty Hall this past Friday night. The band’s last tour Down Under was in 2017, so their 2025 appearance marked not just a triumphant return, but also a celebration of 25 years of rhythmic rebellion and genre-blending chaos.
Originally scheduled to be joined by fellow nu-metal veterans Adema, the tour took a hit when Adema withdrew due to medical concerns within the band. While that left some fans disappointed, local heavyweights Harroway and Naugrim were more than capable of rising to the occasion, delivering blistering support sets that proved the future of Australian metal is in safe, battle-hardened hands.
Kicking off the night, Blue Mountains-based quintet Naugrim brought an unrelenting assault of metalcore and deathcore fury laced with progressive twists. Taking their name from Tolkien’s mythology, their music carries the same kind of epic darkness.
Frontman Greg McManus was a commanding force, delivering guttural growls with startling emotional weight. With Matt Perry and Luke Boyd trading melodic and crushing leads, and backed by the surgical precision of Mal McManus on drums, Naugrim created a sonic maelstrom with shades of Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, and Trivium. The dual guitars swirled with groove and ferocity, and while their set wasn’t for the faint-hearted, it was certainly a highlight for those craving intensity and musicianship.
Up next, Sydney’s own Harroway stepped up to fill Adema’s shoes; and mostly succeeded. The band has been gaining momentum in the local scene, and while their style sticks to metalcore fundamentals, there’s a refreshing blend of melodic hardcore, deathcore breakdowns, and a symphonic backbone courtesy of carefully curated backing tracks.
Chris “CJ” Webb’s performance was deeply affecting. His screams, especially during the more stripped-back, band-less sections, cut through the venue like a scalpel through skin. It wasn’t without flaws: a patchy mix on the opening track buried the bass, and there were brief moments where timing and pitch faltered, suggesting the band was wrestling with their click track. Still, the energy was undeniable, and by the end of their set, Harroway had won over a crowd that clearly appreciates authenticity.
The moment everyone had been waiting for came as Santana’s Maria Maria floated through the speakers, a moment of calm before the storm. As the last notes faded, Ill Niño exploded onto the stage with If You Still Hate Me, and the room ignited.
Ill Niño’s signature blend of low-tuned nu-metal riffage with Latin rhythms and percussive fire remains utterly unique. And while line-up changes have been frequent over the years, this version of the band with Tommy Roulette now front and center, feels revitalised. Roulette, a force of nature from start to finish, blurred the line between frontman and fan. Whether tearing through screams or delivering heartfelt melodies, he embodied the energy of the music, leaping off stage, singing from the pit, and even weaving through the crowd mid-song.
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed; the fans responded with circle pits, chants, and a palpable sense of joy.
One particularly special moment came during What You Deserve, where the typical aggression of a pit gave way to something more communal. Female fans dominated the floor, dancing, moshing, and executing scissor kicks with gleeful abandon—a refreshing sight in what can often be a testosterone-heavy space.
But the heart of Ill Niño has always been its percussive power. Dave Chavarri, the band’s ever-present founder, was joined by returning percussionist Roger Chavez, whose reappearance after more than two decades sent waves of nostalgia through the crowd. Their chemistry was electric, culminating in a mid-set drum jam that pulled Roulette into the mix and brought a hypnotic, tribal pulse to the evening. What Comes Around, I Am Loco and the set closing How Can I Live stood out as the band’s most memorable moments of the evening, as every beat had the crowd jumping and dancing.
Although Liberty Hall wasn’t at full capacity, what the crowd lacked in numbers it made up for in sheer volume and enthusiasm. There were some stumbles throughout the night with a few technical issues, or few performance wobbles, but the intimacy of the evening turned it into something special. It wasn’t the most polished show of the year, but it was one that felt real, pulsing with the raw spirit that keeps nu-metal’s heart beating strong in 2025.
Ill Niño may not always get the recognition lavished on their peers, but in many ways, that’s a blessing. Their music has remained unfiltered and passionate, resonating deeply with fans seeking sincerity over spectacle. With 25 years behind them, and a rejuvenated lineup carrying the torch forward, Ill Niño proved they’re not just surviving, they’re thriving.
NAUGRIM
HARROWAY
ILL NINO
