Gig

Hellions - Gig Review & Photo Gallery - 22nd April @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Walladmin

Heavy Metal Wordsmith

/10

Apr 23, 2017

7 min read

Hellions
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
April 22nd, 2017
Support – Endless Heights, The Brave & Introvert

Hellions have had a hectic 12-months, being billed on festivals, doing both national and international headliner and support slots, releasing their 3rd album, and most recently doing Like A Version on Triple j. They kicked off their album headline tour (finally!) in Sydney last night, and we were #blessed enough to hit up the sold out show.

Opening up the show was Introvert, a newer band who have been receiving hype and support slots all over the shop recently. Their melodic sad boy tunes definitely won over those who had come out early to check out the Newcastle based 4-piece, and deservedly so. Their 2016 release Old Taste is phenomenal, and is just as great live as recorded. Definitely check them out at Groovin' The Moo if you're headed to the Maitland date.

Up next were Hellions' UNFD label-mates The Brave. Dressed in the classic emo uniform of all-black and performing to a responsive crowd, the Brisbane natives gave off an air of professionalism that definitely inclined me to check them out further.

Following on were Sydney's own Endless Heights, gracing the stage as the third and final support band of the evening. They brought with them contagious energy and a set filled to the brim with banging tunes, and the stage presence to match. Their crowd response was phenomenal, having pits opened, mics grabbed and lyrics passionately sung back to them by the enthusiastic audience during songs like Teach You How To Leave, Pray I Fade, and regular Triple j track, Drain. Having announced during the set that they're set to release an album this year, we are sure to see a lot more of Endless Heights throughout the rest of 2017.

Sweeping atmospheric sounds fill the room as the stage curtains are separated and Hellions slam out the opening guitar riffs of 24, the first track of celebrated 2016 full-length Opera Oblivia to the sold out Oxford Art Factory. Front man Dre Faivre's energy is infectious, accompanying his aggressive vocals with hip-hop infused dance moves and the charisma one expects to be displayed by a band of this calibre.

Bad Way, Nightliner Rhapsody, Nottingham, 22 and The Penultimate Year follow on from 24, adding further fuel to the fiery crowd with a great mix of both new and old songs. Although the band's sound definitely has changed through the years and progressively become more palatable to a wider audience, those who were attracted by their initial heavy sound are still able to get their fix at shows through the much-desired throwback to vintage tunes.

The familiar bass twang of Lotus Eater rings out and the crowd can only try to keep up through the opening DEATHISAFRIENDTHATWESERVETOTHEENDANDSHE'SNEAR line, but catch up rapidly for the following SINK and DROWN call/response shenanigans. At this point, the entire pit looks as though they've just gone swimming, and I myself have become the Niagra Falls of human perspiration. Crew (shout out 2 Srem) are running on stage between songs to wipe the floor so the boys don't slip over, my camera lens has fogged up, and there's literal sweat dripping off even the guitars. Tasty.

They then slowed it right down with He Without Sin i) Halation and He Without Sin ii) Heels Of The Hands, two content-intense tracks with a heavy focus on instrumentals. In a somewhat jarring manner, they continue with 3 songs from 2015's Indian Summer - fan favourite Hellions, aggressive Creasy i) Styrofoam Lungs, and funky instrumental jam ii) Technicolour Yawn. Amongst it all we see an audience member do a shoey, guitarist Josh Campiao neck a tinnie of VB, and a lot more crowd surfing, finger pointing, and of course, sweating.

Melodic emo angst ballad Thresher gets the whole room singing along next, giving audience members an opportunity to cry internal emotional tears and mentally dedicate the chorus to that shitty ex they're still recovering from.

25 is the triumphant final track off Opera Oblivia and definitely holds a place in my heart; it's a melodic, comforting tribute to both youth and ageing, and always leaves me feeling oddly nostalgic and positive. Experiencing it live is always a joy, and tonight was no different.

The boys close out with Quality of Life, bringing the entire room to their feet and drawing patrons into the pit to pummel out their angst under the guise of 'expression'. The stage is constantly invaded by an endless stream of people stage diving and mic grabbing, and as tiresome as having people constantly stepping on your head to get onto the stage is, it's bloody lit to see the kind of passion fans have for this band and their music.

It's easy to see how their rise to prominence within the heavy scene has come about; their recorded music and live performance are filled with genuine heart, talent, passion and an energy that's hard to fake. Hellions have a bright future ahead of them, and I cannot wait to see what the next 12 months bring.

Review by Georgia Moloney and Bree Vane. Photos by Georgia Moloney. Please credit Wall of Sound and Georgia Moloney in reposts!

The OPERA OBLIVIA tour continues nationwide over the next month, dates and ticket links are below the photo gallery.

18010342_1878578985501654_8586063632772416168_n

Friday 5th May - Fowlers Live, Adelaide (AA)
with Endless Heights, Sleep Talk & Introvert*
Tickets: http://bit.ly/OOTourAde

Saturday 6th May - Amplifier Bar, Perth (18+)
with FOAM, Alex The Kid**
Tickets: http://bit.ly/OOTourPerth

Thursday 11th May - Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane (18+)
with Endless Heights, The Brave & Introvert
Tickets: http://bit.ly/OOTourBris

Friday 12th May - Minimum Wage Club, Gold Coast (18+)
with Endless Heights, The Brave & Introvert
DOOR SALES ONLY
(Bundles not available for this show)

Friday 19th May - The Basement, Canberra (18+)
with Endless Heights, The Brave & Introvert
Tickets: http://bit.ly/OOTourCanb

Saturday 20th May - Corner Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
with Endless Heights, The Brave & Introvert
Tickets: http://bit.ly/OOTourMelb

NEW SHOW Saturday 27th May - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (18+)
with Endless Heights
Tickets: http://bit.ly/OOTourSyd2

No items found.