Words – Clare
Photos – Mitch
It was Tuesday night at 170 Russell, and the diverse festival-style crowd was littered with all kinds, including metal heads, goths, idol worshippers, Otakus, and even people dressed up as bananas and strawberries. We were all spilling into the venue to see Hanabie, the self-described Harajuku-core metal band from Japan.
Melbourne’s own The Gloom In The Corner kicked off the night to an already packed room of buzzing fans with multiple tracks from their 2022 release album Trinity including From Heaven To Hell, Black Rot, Ronin, Behemoth and Nor Hell a Fury.
‘Who wants to hear some heavy shit?’ the moustachioed vocalist Mikey asked rhetorically as they launched into the 5-year-old track Misanthropic which laid the foundation for the first circle pit of the night. The mosh kept it moving for Warfare from the 2020 album Ultima Pluvia but before the set concluded we were presented with the new singles Assassination Run and The Jericho Protocol.
A huge HANABIE banner covered the stage’s back wall as the four members presented themselves one by one as the fans clapped along to their entrance. The impossibly cute quartet were mesmerising from the very moment they energetically entered the stage smiling and waving at the fans unlike every other metal performance, the stage was brightly lit and the girls wore big smiles and outfits with plenty of bright colours. Don’t be fooled by their pretty faces, perky demeanours and perfect doll-like appearance, there was nothing fake about how hard they went on stage. The entire act was backed by their sheer, unadulterated and undeniable talent. Yukina released impressively demonic growls in between her sickly sweet high-pitched raps. At the same time, Matsuri shredded on guitar and clean vocals alongside Hettsu on base and new recruit Chika who let loose her inner animal all over the drum kit.
So full of charisma, each girl rocked front-woman energy taking the crowd engagement next level. Without delay the fans began to crowd surf as Hanabie launched into their action-packed set beginning with the single OTAKU Lovely Densetsu released this year. Neet Game from the 2023 album release Reborn Superstar! had the crowd chanting ‘YEAH, YEAH, YEAH’ while just before the new single Metamorphose! we had to sit for the countdown of 3.2.1 and ‘BOUNCE, BOUNCE, BOUNCE!’. Hettsu disappeared into the wings only to return with koala hats for the girls to put on, which I found out were a gift from one of the VIP fans at the meet and greet. The craziness continued with Warning!!, Sunrise Miso Soup, Osaki Ni Shitsurei Shimasu and ended on a high with the encore tracks Hyperdimension Galaxy and Today’s Good Day & So Epic – ‘Arigato! Thank you so much!’
Thanks to the 170 Russell Street Crew for having us and special thanks to Dallas Does PR for arranging media access.
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