Words / Photos – @rixoncaptures
It’s one thing for the heavy music community to come together in a well-known and well-loved venue like 170 Russell, but it’s another, even greater thing when the heavy music community comes together to celebrate a Melbourne band that has worked hard over the years to grow from humble beginnings. Before doors had even opened, the queue to get into the venue was larger than the entire crowd watching Windwaker the first time I saw them play live 8 years ago in a sweaty little pub band room in Fitzroy. Today in a room full of familiar faces – both avid punters and fellow musicians supporting their friends – it’s a heartwarming feeling to recognise the headliners from almost a decade of increasingly larger and larger shows, and having stood shoulder to shoulder with them at other band’s shows along the way.
Brisbane band Headwreck opened the night with a strong start. Their heavy bass rumbling through the venue and 90’s hip hop influences had heads moving from the start, with tracks such as Low Blow and crowd favourite Buzzsaw warming everyone up for the following 3 bands. Their latest track Plan Z released last month packed a punch live; the perfect blend of screams from lead vocalist Connor Hickman and catchy clean singing from guitarist Jamo Benadie. The band’s backdrop for the night featured caricatures of each member in the style of a Playstation 2-era game, pulled straight from the new music video for Plan Z. We were then treated to hearing their unreleased song Filet O’Fish (maybe a working title? Or now understanding the band’s bantering attitude, it might be the official title) which featured multiple callouts of the lyrics “Have you lost your fucking mind?” and unexpected time signature changes at the end. This was my first time catching Headwreck live and I’m anticipating their return to Melbourne.
The night’s theme of technical synth-like guitar licks mixed with heavy breakdowns and a dash of old-school record scratches continued with Diamond Construct’s monstrous set. By the time the lights went down for them to begin, the room was already packed. Vocalist Kynan Groundwater controlled the crowd deftly, showcasing the high energy he wanted to see from punters with his constant jumping and kicking. Their set featured tracks from their impressive 2024 album Angel Killer Zero with Switchblade OST (small shout-out to the lyric “riff” before the riff starts) and Clickbait, but the highlight of their set was Hit It Back as their closing track. The room erupted as if this was the headlining band we were all here to see as Kynan jumped over the barrier to join an opening circle pit. The band mused that the first time Diamond Construct toured with Windwaker was back in 2017, and I’m sure there were more than a few people in the crowd who had been there to witness the progression of these two bands as they continued to support each other all these years on.
As the only international band on the tour, Thousand Below had something to prove on a bill of remarkable homegrown talent. Opening with the 2024 single Shake, the Californian quartet were tight-knit and electric from the beginning. What impressed me the most about this band were by far the vocals; lead vocalist James Deberg transitioned between high-pitched singing and screaming with ease, while guitarist Josh Thomas and bassist Josh Billimoria provided complementary harmonies that took me by surprise. The crowd’s energy levels grew steadily through their set, with a sea of pointed fingers and raised phones recording closing tracks Hell Finds You Everywhere (the title track from their latest album) and Sabotage. For their third time touring Australia, I can bet that Thousand Below are leaving the country having recruited many new fans.
Nothing makes me happier than a headliner that starts before 9 pm. As I and 6 other photographers hunkered down in front of the barrier for the start of Windwaker’s set, listening to the crowd sing Creed’s One Last Breath, I caught a glimpse of the 5 band members sharing a touching group hug as they prepared to play their biggest headline show to date.
Infinity’s intro began and the room lit up with an incredibly bright lighting and production display; drummer Chris Lalic and synth/keyboard player Connor Robins were each positioned symmetrically on stage on tall risers, Connor in a moon boot and crutch fitted with a neon sticker that read “I broke my foot!!!”. Even without being able to move around, both Chris and Connor brought an energy that could be felt at the back of the room. This was newly recruited guitarist Justin Keurntjes’ first tour as an official member of the band, after having toured with them for over a year. He matched the energy of the 4 other band members and it’s clear that they all get along like brothers.
Liam Guinane on vocals barely stopped moving the entire set, changing between leaping around erratically and sassy dancing as the band charged through old favourites Dopamine Freestyle and Superstitious Fantasy, as well as newer melodies from 2024’s album HYPERVIOLENCE including Break The Rules and Venom. He led the crowd with a wave of their signature W symbol made with touching thumbs and pointed forefingers and conducted the room like a choir during the new single Arcane. Skilful vocal runs and fast-paced rap sections were made to look easy by both Liam and bassist Indey Salvestro. It’s very apparent that each band member has honed their craft and worked hard to perfect their instrument, to put on a technically impressive live show.
Closing the night with the ever-catchy Sirens, Windwaker has solidified themselves as one of Melbourne’s (and Australia’s) hardest working bands. The success of this show at 170 Russell and the HYPERVIOLENCE tour as a whole, proves that the future of heavy music is in capable hands. I wish the band luck on their North American tour supporting Make Them Suffer later this month and eagerly await their return to see what even grander spectacle they put on next time.
Huge thanks to the 170 Russell Street crew for having us, a special thanks to Destroy All Lines and Big Mouth PR.
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