Words – Shelby Lane
Photos – DjSedick
It goes without saying that nu-metal is back with a thundering ressurgence. Kind of like that gum Special Agent Dale Cooper likes? I wanted to know what the fuss was all about so, I tutted my heals up to Max Watts alongside my best friend @djsedick and @lordrobsatan for my formal nu-metal education. Max Watts is a Melbourne institution and, I can confirm, that it is one of my personal favourite venues. I can recall seeing Behemoth and Munt there in 2024 and it being one of the best live music experiences I have had in my 31 years walking on planet Earth. Holding that sentiment in mind, I had a sneaking suspicion that I was also going to have an amazing and memorable experience.
Alongside my fellow punters lining up, who were adorned in their (hed)P.E garb, sporting excited grins, it made me feel somewhat apart of an exclusive club. The excitement in the air was a tangible buzz and, as we settled into Max Watts, the excitement levels rubbed off on me. The beautiful thing about the metal genre is the diverse crowds they pull regardless of gender, sub-genre, age and that was certainly reflected amongst the folks attending. Everyone coming together to share the same experience and in tandem, having their own unique and intimate time.
I nestled beside the mixing desk, bracing myself for MUDRAT who I had not been aquainted with but, judgding by the crowd that formed in front of the stage, I was in for a good time.
Our first offering of the night was Naarm’s own MUDRAT who is a boundary pushing, brash, visionary artist that spits out raucous bars and effortlessly combines elements of political punk, boom-bap hip-hop, backed with the ferocity of metal. Drawn from life experience, MUDRAT commanded the stage with their raw lyricism, powerful stage presence and unbridled confidence. The crowd were settling in nicely, slowly grooving away and feeding off MUDRAT’s energy as they began to spit out their unapologetic and unfiltered political rage as they shouted ‘I HATE RICH CUNTS, CATCALLS, FACISTS, MET BALLS. TELL THEM THEY CAN GET FUCKED’ from their infectious track ‘I HATE RICH CUNTS’. It sparked a frenzy of dancing bodies not just reacting to their compelling political message but, to the intensity of their boisterous and genre-defying set. MUDRAT threw themselves across the stage with aggression as he barked into the microphone with such radiating passion until their last breath performing. The crowd’s reaction was a spectacle. Ending their time with a generous thanks, MUDRAT are certainly not a band you can afford to ignore. Watch this space- please!
Once Dan weaved her way through to the sea of bodies to meet me at the mixing desk, it was time to quench our thirst with a well-earned beverage. Cold drink in hand, we were both in a hard agreement that MUDRAT were amazing and were keen to see what HEARTLINE were like.
Let me tell you, I was not prepared.
Heartline (Luke Taylor – Vocals; George Carey – Guitar; Nevenko Sarunic – Bass; Oscar Taylor – Drums)are a high energy, 4-piece act from Adelaide that explode with audicous, high impact electronic sound that heavily contrasts with gnawing riffs and piercing vocals ranging from both angelic clean vocals to decimating gutteral growls. It’s a gorgeous marriage of both pop and metalcore that you cannot fault. Naturally drawing in the attention of the crowd, front man Luke Taylor’s compelling presence leaves you viracious as he elegantly swaggers around the stage as if the stage was his birth right. Heartline is one of those fresh acts that transends our humble expectations and leaves you with a hankering to jump online to find acts akin to them.
The stakes were raised when Luke bellows ‘3, 2, 1 MOVE’ thus making the crowd erupt in the mosh pit wth limbs splayed and cans held high. My own emo heart started beating when he even suggested the onlookers throw themselves into an old school hardcore two-step which, I can reluctantly admit that I have not seen since the bygone era of seeing Carpathian, House Vs Hurricane and such acts for $8 at the Mooroolbark Community Centre. Geez, I am certainly showing my age here! Heartline are a testament to the reason you should be paying attention to local, Australian artists!
Dan’s back so that requires another bev and a debrief! I have to admit at this point I was feeling like the undertaking of reviewing (hed)P.E was out of my depth but that’s nothing a cheeky pint of Hard Solo could not drown out. I quickly sensed a shift in the air and the crowd sized somehow doubled and packed in right up to the barriers of the stage. After I consolled my drink I went in search of a suitable vantage point which is a tough pursuit given that I am height deficient. I managed to slink towards the back of Max Watts as Dan made her way back to the photography pit.
(hed)P.E have been a staple in the metal scene since their inception in 1994. Simply pigeon-holing them into one genre would be a crime in itself as (hed)P.E genre-crosses aspects of So-Cal Punk, Rasta, Reggae, Nu-Metal and Gangsta Rap. Since their previous tour of Australia with Snot back in 2015 you could tell that the audience felt like it was far too long between drinks. And just like that house lights go out, beat drops, crowd roars and ladies and gentleman, welcome to 2002. Nathan Javier (Guitar), Kurt ‘Kid Bass’ Blankenship (Bass) and new drummer Stephen Arango all come out to a thunderous cheer as they assume their positions on stage and riling the crowd up for iconic frontman Jared Gomes to grace them with his presence. Now, when I say the crowd erupted, I mean the crowd absolutely erupted as Jared Gomes walking into centre stage playing his famous melodica slowly teasing the crowd to the intro of ‘No Way Out’.
The moment the vocals kick in, the crowd went feral with excitement as Jared’s bite like delivery cuts into the atmosphere like a gut punch whilst the rest of the band work together in perfect unison. No beat was missed and (hed)P.E were off to a cracking start solidifying themselves as a powerful musical unit that boasted a blistering combination of heavy riffs, rhythmic bars and chunky bass. Jared roared ‘ARE YOU READY FOR SOME HED PE?’ to which an eager crowd welcomed as if to give permission to let loose and, all I could do was stand back in awe. The stand out for me was their killer track ‘Killing Time’ because I can see the entire venue is screaming and rapping every syllable of every word with perfect, aggressive diction and enthusiasm.
The crows at this point was absolutely heaving. The pit was full of jumping, sweaty girating bodies and even Dan found some time in between shooting to treat herself to a little boogie. (hed)P.E then decided to take us on a trip back to So-Cal with their song ‘Blackout’ and the mood retreated into a dreamy and dulcet vibe being comforted by the Rasta tinged bass line but, reader, I would suggest not getting too comfortable too early. Jared then swoons us by engaging with the crowd of a sing-a-long to their track ‘The Meadow’ blowing us kisses and the crowd giving that love straight back. You know how I said don’t get too comfortable? Well here is the reason why. (hed)P.E rounded out their tight, high octane set with ‘Renegade’ from their acclaimed album ‘New World Orphans’.
At this point bodies were heaving, crowd surfing went off and plumes of smoke were dissapating in the air as heads were banging. The pit was utterly electric and that same energy was matched by (hed)P.E who decided to take it up a notch when Jared signalled for the crowd to part like the Red Sea prompting the inevitable Wall of Death because ‘You know, like the kids do’ and as one would imagine, the circle pit was brutal, fast and chaotic. The energy of the crowd was palpable with people cheering, screaming, drinking, vaping, getting high but alas, it was time for (hed)P.E to say goodbye and as our parting gift Jared cheekily remarked “If you buy a shirt, i’ll take a picture with you, CAPITALISM BITCH! Food on the table bitch! I will only be there for ten fucking minutes’.
I can safely say that I am a nu-metal educated lady.
I would like to extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to(hed)P.E , Mudrat, Heartline and Max Watts for having us and a special thanks to Maric Media for arranging Media access.
EVERYDAY METAL – SUPPORT LOCAL HEAVY METAL
