O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, March 18 2025
Tonight, the hounds have gathered for Metalcore Crufts. Whereas we’re fairly certain the packed out crowd is predominantly human, Knocked Free followers have developed their very own type of communication – a frantic tennis match of arfs and barks. Quite than an indication of insanity, every yap is delivered with a toothy grin of pleasure; it’s been a complete 12 months because the Kentucky hardcore punks final performed Manchester, and followers have felt each minute of their absence. With a slew of name new (and Grammy nominated) tracks to delve into, everybody within the room is limbering as much as trigger some long-awaited chaos.
Leeds gang Pest Management kick the night off with a burst of hearty, thrashing hardcore. Leah Massey-Hay bounds throughout the stage, having the time of her life as she growls alongside to the crushing riffs and crashing cymbals. Her total efficiency oozes a way of giddy glee, hair ribbons flying as guttural wails claw their manner out of her throat. Hurt’s Means take to the stage shortly after, upping the aggro as quickly as frontman James Pligge approaches the mic. It’s a satisfying onslaught of metalcore, every growth amplified by the intimidating human hulk that’s Pligge.
Quite than presenting the gang with one more conflict of hardcore, woozy emo grungers Basement serve up a lighter dose of introspection earlier than the oncoming storm. From the mild stream of ‘Earl Gray’ to the sunshine, love-addled existentialism of ‘Are You The One?’, the band stroll an ideal tightrope of poignant hooks and grunge-y riffs. Closing monitor ‘Covet’ has everybody crooning alongside, some followers parroting again Andrew Fisher’s cries of “once I’m with you…” even after the monitor has drawn to its conclusion.
In fact, the calming aura of Basement rapidly dissipates, leaving a high-strung rigidity in its stead. Whereas everybody loves a dose of heart-on-sleeve reflection, the aim of tonight isn’t to have a little bit cry – it’s to wreak havoc. Very quickly, the room plunges into darkness. The one gentle comes from a glowing crucifix onstage, the eerie, ambient chimes of ‘Thirst’ twisting the image’s divinity into one thing ominous and wicked. By the point frontman Bryan Garris lastly unhinges his jaw with a blood-curdling scream, blastbeats reverberating via the ground, it’s clear that this night is about to be something however holy – as a result of all hell breaks unfastened.
A wholesome slew of punters have include one factor in thoughts: moshing. Regardless of the majority of the antics remaining fairly self-contained, the keenness is tangible even outdoors the fixed whirlpool of flying elbows. From ‘Deep In The Willow’ to the dizzying grit of ‘Errors Like Fractures’, the moshers are clambering overhead, desirous to lob themselves over the barrier in hopes of getting Garris howl squarely into their faces.
Older cuts solely serve to select up the tempo, with Garris demanding a circle pit as he shrieks alongside to the bounding drums. At one level he even lets out an excitable chirp of “verify this out!” earlier than unleashing a completely unholy scream – it’s like a child begging you to look at him do a handstand, besides this child is definitely simply channelling the wrath of god. Y’know, fairly commonplace.
Tracks from 2024’s ‘You Received’t Go Earlier than You’re Supposed To’ are welcomed with simply as a lot enthusiasm, with ‘Don’t Attain For Me’ bringing an enormous wave of motion. Equally, ‘Piece By Piece’ is a standout, followers latching onto it, desperately howling “the ache! I swallowed!” up into the sky.
Because the set progresses, it looks like Knocked Free are eager on plunging the gang additional and additional into the depths of hell. Every staggered descent appears to be marked by a flash of blood crimson, crucifix burning as second vocalist Isaac Hale unleashes a demonically deep growl, completely at odds with Garris’ sky-high screeching. Garris laps up the gang’s response every time, confidently swaggering round like hardcore punk’s reply to Mick Jagger.
At factors, it’s evident that the band are eager to see a bit extra motion all through the gang. Whereas a wholesome pit is in movement, Victoria Warehouse has loads of room – and the gang wish to reap the benefits of it. “Flip to the individual beside you… and push them,” Hale calls for. “There’s manner too many individuals standing nonetheless proper now.”
It’s a requirement that’s rapidly echoed by Garris as he introduces ‘Moss Covers All’. “Are you awake!?” he cries. “We’ve a terrific huge fucking ground! This subsequent music was written for one factor solely… And that’s chaos. I need fucking CHAOS, Manchester!”
Fortunately, the gang obliges. Our bodies whirl within the pit, all earlier than the monitor’s teasing ambient break places the chaos on maintain, rigidity drawing skinny. Pink lights blast like alarms, as soon as once more warning punters that we’re plunging to that subsequent stage of hell – and when the beat kicks again in, followers crush again in with renewed vigour.
Whereas the gang won’t be as rampant as others on the tour, everybody is aware of the drill when ‘Every thing Is Quiet Now’ rolls round. “Final evening we couldn’t, now we are able to…” Garris hints, urging the gang to separate for the customary wall of dying. Though, it seems that the band didn’t really appear to have permission tonight both, if the sudden lower off is something to go by. Regardless, the wall of dying proceeds earlier than the plug is pulled – which punters are very happy about, because it wouldn’t be a Knocked Free gig with out it.
“They are saying we’re too loopy, Manchester!” Garris proclaims when the band are finally allowed again out. It’s simply what the followers want to listen to to amp up the vitality for the final 5 tracks, a pat on the again that urges the gang to maintain their spirits excessive.
Knocked Free are of their ingredient for the ultimate leg. As the long-lasting ‘Counting Worms’ rings out, Garris lets the music converse for itself; he holds his mic aloft, letting your complete crowd screech “I WROTE A SONG! ABOUT GETTING BETTER!” earlier than everybody lets unfastened a pair of signature Knocked Free barks. ‘Suffocate’ is equally as energised, the gritty rampage of blastbeats and riffs bolstering every howl of “SUFFOCATE!”
‘Sit & Mourn’ sees the gang rounding issues off on a mild word. The monitor balances the gut-punch aggression of Knocked Free with a poignant atmosphere, a sombre, lingering magnificence falling heavy over the gang because the crucifix glows. It’s the right ship off, winding down and reminding followers of the musical expertise that lies past the whiplash-quick breakdowns and snarls.
