Words by Metal V
Pix by Kaotic Images
The end has come to three days of tracking the east coast of Australia following the inaugural KNOTFEST Australia from south to north has finally come to a close, and fuck me I’m tired is an understatement!
Many early 4am wake-ups have not been missed but getting the opportunity to hang with some of the coolest punters plus listen to and witness fourteen of the world’s best bands (three of which are from Melbourne thank you very much!) is going to be deeply missed with the excitement of the next one already being discussed.
Our intrepid main HEAVY mag reviewer on the ground, Metal V. (obviously me LOL) got the prestigious opportunity to attend all three of the festivals and I had the time oy my life (sans the complete lack of sleep and disregard for my body and health!).
Day 1 – Hometown turf and what a great day, the weather was exceptionally kind and forgiving and perfect expected heavy metal climate. The swathe of black tee’s, ridiculously early long lines for merch and same said for bar queues, the early arrivals were in for a treat with day crushing openers Malevolence. Unfortunately this was the only day I got to see these blokes due to HEAVY Mag’s event schedule but damn I am glad I got to witness them at least once because the English lads travelled halfway around the world for a half-hour set in each city, quite the feat and dedication. Happy to report to you all that Malevolence were next level incredible start to finish. A magical wake-up death fucking metal call to a flawless extreme metal performance. I missed the next few bands due to wandering off for the usual necessities such as beer and food, general taking in of the whole KNOTFEST first-day vibes!
Taking over stage two next was Knocked Loose from the States. Classic breakdown ‘core these blokes blew a lot of minds and I reckon easily won over some new fans. For a decade they have been delivering text book metalcore and their crushing live performance proved without doubt why these early attendees lapped them up feverishly.
I was very much looking forward to witnessing Spiritbox for the first time, and I was not disappointed. Hailing from Canada this female djent/core outfit performed flawlessly and were inhaled and revered by the many fans that had come to watch them.
The shortness of the opening set of half an hour for the opening four bands was annoying, but alas that is the sacrifice of having the compactness and sacrifice of only two stages. Which I think is an excellent decision. We can see every band without the annoying difficulty of having to cull bands we want to see at the expense of another – because just as we are ready to be blown away completely by a band’s crushing finale the clock explodes to which set’s end barges in!
From here on in I saw all of the full gamut of remaining artists performing at Knotfest, so the rundown be an overall, rounded-out summary. But first world heavy metal problems we endured so, I caught both Bad Omens and Void Of Vision in Brissie. Their appeal is very for younger newer fans of the heavier spectrum trying to cover all aspects of a myriad of styles. Both of them have been around for a few years, managing to refine, capture and perform as though they were born to rule any stage that they both command. Solid captivating sets with their fans ensuring that they got to the venue’s early to worship this new genre-enhancing sound we all love.
I made sure to check out Alpha Wolf though because I knew without question that these Melbourne showstoppers were going to put on a show that would blow a lot of minds and as predicted they did not! Having just returned from a small tour of the States and countless gigs around Oz it is very evident that Alpha Wolf are miles ahead of any competitor trying to outdo them in every sense of the word metal. The massive amount of work both on and off the stage has shown their audience how to deliver a complete and perfect metal stage performance physically and sonically. I know from talking to many punters throughout the few days that Alpha Wolf were extremely high on the top five of the day rankings of bands seen. Credit to them and hopefully we’ll hear some new material from them soon.
Story of the Year appeared next on stage two who I will admit do not connect with me at all. So I really have no gauge on whether they were good or not. The front and centre crowd though did seem to enjoy them from what I could establish, but the big downfall for them was that their vocalist struggled to hit numerous vocals notes for a considerable portion of their set at all three events and disappointed many (which was confirmed for me by a few fans I did manage to converse with on all three days).
IN-FUCKING-FLAMES kids! “FUCK YESSS” was the phrase of the day after every song from these Gothenburg melo-tech-death godfathers. Releasing almost flawless album after album In Flames are easily one of the greatest bands of their genre in the world. All three days performances proving their conviction and care to their chosen day jobs as godfathers who consistently deliver with every release. Their new album Foregone is by a far brilliant release that is the heaviest and most melodic return to form for many years. Playing on a couple of tracks from it, with only forty minutes to entertain us, the set list was the best of the best including Take This Life, Only The Weak, I Am Above and The Great Deceiver. In Flames were easily in my top three for the event!
Vikings of Australia united, Amon Amarth delivered Thor’s hammer to crush us all and the audience was beautifully demolished under the weight of these Swedish metal legends. Very little Viking inspired cos players were present, but their fans based worshipped and obeyed every word commanded by frontman Johan especially when the crowd got down to row for the song – Put Your Back Into the Oar and of course set (almost) finisher Raise Your Horns.
Another local widely respected and local band was progressive Northlane from Melbourne. Not palatable to my taste but I can confirm that their shows were killer. These blokes most definitely do have a loyal and devoted fanbase loving their electro-progressive style with a live show worthy of any massive international touring headline act. Precision sonic delivery bundled amongst two stages full of artists vying for attention.
Now Trivium on stage 2. I have tried for so long to get into them, but they just do not resonate with me. Yet here I was three nights in a row trying to find something to pull me in, but to no avail, however, Matt Heafy and bandmates massive throng of devoted bouncing fans drown out any disregard by me, because let’s face it, Trivium are unquestionably one of the most adored metal bands in the world, and who am I to dis them? Well reader…I’m not going to because they put on a great show of which I will say I was entertained. Their pick on this bill is without question warranted and valued, so shushed me courtesy of the crowd.
But here we go… Asking anyone around the different states who their chosen band was to witness, many were wide-ranging with the obvious notable being Parkway Drive and Slipknot, but about 95% said Megadeth. Speaking to a few older statesmen punters of metal around the grounds, I was surprised to hear them say that they’re ticking off witnessing Megadeth from their bucket list of bands experienced. And for those of you that either did or did not see them, let me assure you that they kicked fucking ass and were also in my top three. For a man that has recently beaten cancer, Mustaine was on fucking point. Supported by Kiko, Dirk and James this was a set and performance that truly defied and exceeded ALL expectations! Note, riffs, chords, vocals, leads all just beautiful spectacles and experiences. Megadeth played every night as if this was their last show ever and song selection was the pinnacle of their best of the best – Hanger 18, Angry Again, Tornado of Souls, Sweating Bullets, Symphony of Destruction, Peace Sells and set closer the perfect Holy Wars was truly a gift from Megadeth and not a bad word will be spoken about how perfectly crushing they were.
The penultimate band of the event were the darling metal boys of Byron Parkway Drive and another of those metal bands I just can not connect with. Regardless again of my misgivings or minimal desire for them, it would seem a great many of both the crowd and readers of this fine publication don’t care and would disagree with me. I’ve met them, listened to them and damn it even almost liked their latest Darker Still so my musings aside, there is absolutely a reason why Parkway are one of the biggest headlining metal bands in the world and that is simply because of their massively awe-inspiring stage show and presence including their “down to earth” likeable “surfer dudes from Byron” persona. Don’t get me wrong, I was entertained and appreciated their shows, especially the awesome addition of cello and violins midway through the set and Winston’s interaction with the audience stepping into them and connecting with the audience for Karma and hilarious request in Sydney for the crowd whilst crowd-surfing to take him back to the stage and not away from it! But for Sunday’s big final show, disappointingly Winton’s voice, audible to us all, blew out during crowd fave Soul Bleach. This was a sad moment because we could all visibly see how it affected both him and his bandmates. Stopping, Winston explained what had happened, the band regrouped, dropped a couple of songs and soldiered on the troopers. To his credit and admiration from us all we applauded and saluted Parkway’s drive to soldier on and close out their show with crowd fave and chant anthem Wild Eyes.
Band of the day, with new album in our earholes the primary and ONLY reason KNOTFEST is a thing is thanks to Slipknot. Unfortunately because of the necessity of having to catch planes and traverse the East Coast I had to forego the second half of both Melbourne and Sydney’s set, much to my annoyance, but I just knew I was going to be rewarded for my patience. I will get my only grievance out of the way early thanks to three fucking idiots who decided it would be a funny idea to climb speaker stacks for shits and giggles but pissed the entire attending crowd off because of the fact that on all these occasions Slipknot’s set was completely stopped, stage lights off and an announcer coming on the PA mic requesting said idiots remove themselves and the show would not proceed until they did so! A nice little $900 or so fine will be coming their way as well as a charge of being a public nuisance. (sighs again just thinking about the stupidity of some people!). To bring the audience focus back to attention Corey did make light of the situations and said something along the lines of “Shit, I can’t take you motherfuckers anywhere!” We all laughed collectively then on with the show.
Certainly at gigs, shows and festivals we all go to, there are highs and lows, Slipknot gave no room for doubt or in-betweens. These three nights were an experience of brutality and perfection with the spectacle that us as fans expect with very few aside from Slipknot can deliver! Covering tracks from all their albums with only one from The End, So Far being included – The Dying Song – Time To Sing. The first self-titled album, Iowa and All Hope Is Gone getting multiples. Not once leaving us wanting, Slipknot’s set was perfectly executed and scripted, gifted to all three Melbourne, Sydney and Brisvegas festival loyal Maggots in their honour was a pleasure and weekend that I will graciously recollect on and thank them for for many years to come!
So here’s Metal V’s brief breakdowns on points of note and differences of the three days and venues.
Melbourne – Sound was OK at best as is always, and I have put it down to the massive size of Flemington and it getting lost because both Centennial Park (Sydney) and Brisbane Showgrounds are considerably more compact and more capable of delivering exceptional all round 360° sound. Winner is Brisbane hands down.
Melbourne as always had shocking +18yrs bar facility accessibility, Sydney’s was further away and harder to get to without missing considerable band watching time, Brisbane was overall the winner with the compactness and multiple choices.
Merch availability at overall sites was below par, resulting in massive queues and over hour long waits. Melbourne sold out of primary merch at about 6pm which is not ok! No winners. Food at all venues was standard street food fare with plenty of different choices but all the usual suspects. Draw!
Melbourne and Brisbane had little visible police presence which proved our trustworthiness, Sydney had massive both a police and security presence around Centennial park which I can not begin to explain, but it is what it is. Melbourne had beyond excellent waste disposal bins both rubbish and recycling, Sydney and Brisbane had near none = ORINDARY. I’d hate to be the cleaners tasking both those sites!
Now the all important crowd’s poll. And no bias here coming from Melbourne, but Melbourne crowds fucking crushed it from Malevolence right through to Slipknot. Circle pits were the size of mighty seismic whirlpools, punishing anyone wanting to get out (me included trying to brave near front for In Flames – took me ten or so minutes to make my way out after only three songs! LOL). Walls of death and pits were all intertwined, making for punishment of welcomed pain daring any who entered! Melbourne you were unquestionable a metal band’s stage performer’s dream and took little consideration for your safety and well-being. Both Sydney and Brisbane were on equal par with any destructive self-punishing desires kept to a minimum – a six or so at best. Crowd adoring and appreciation above par – Winner Melbourne – (There’s a reason any major event or concert like this always sells out in Melbourne first people!)
All in all any judgement, misgivings or gratitudes aside, everyone one of us in attendance at any three of Australia’s KNOTFEST are grateful we had this opportunity to be a part of something so amazing Commendations to all involved! FIVE ⭐’s
Hopefully Knotfest will be back next year. All worship the two stage concept also please promotors!
Metal V out 🤘
