Crossfaith - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 23rd February @ The Croxton Bandroom, Melb VIC
Crossfaith
The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne/Naarm Vic
February 23, 2024
Supports: Paledusk, Future Static
Two bands I have often recommended to people when dipping their toe into the Japanese metalcore scene are always Crossfaith and Paledusk. I will never forget the first time I saw Crossfaith, back when they were relatively unknown at Soundwave Festival 2013. That set has stayed with me for over a decade. Paledusk also has that impact. See them once, and I guarantee you will never forget the sheer energy they bring. That is what makes this tour so special. With their first headline tour of Australia, Crossfaith hit The Croxton Bandroom with their fellow countrymen to give those who couldn’t make it to Brisbane for CVLTFEST a night that will go down in the books as one of the most electrifying shows to hit the city.
Melbourne’s own Future Static was tasked to open the night, setting the tone for what has been considered two of the wildest live acts in metalcore. Not only did they achieve their mission, they helped deliver on what was set to become a masterclass in stage presence and lead vocalist charisma. The locals were out in full force to support their hometown heroes. Kicking into their set with ‘Chemical Lobotomy’, they wasted no time in bringing out the energy. Frontwoman Amariah Cook is always a delight to see onstage, her powerful voice bringing the crowd into her orbit. That is not to say the rest of the band is pushed to the background- far from it. Bass player Kira Neil’s additional vocals harmonise spectacularly, weaving through the aggression and matched only in talent with her bass playing. The wave of energy that is Future Static is only possible with all members putting in their absolute all and it’s not hard to see why they have become one of Melbourne’s most loved acts.
Still buzzing on the electricity bought by Future Static, the audience was nice and warmed up for when the lords of chaos-core Paledusk took the stage. It has been over a year since the lads from Fukuoka graced our shores and their reception in Melbourne was like the return of prodigal sons. The sirens wailed and the familiar intro to Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ kicked in. For those for whom this wasn’t their first rodeo, they immediately kicked into action and started waving their arms. The others who were witnessing Paledusk for the first time – you could tell they were wondering what they had gotten themselves into. Drummer Bob led the charge. Guitarists DaiDai and Tsubasa soon joined, adding their show by throwing out some of the most athletic spin kicks and jumps- by the time vocalist Kaito emerged, it was getting rabid.
Like planting a metaphorical flag, they ripped into ‘Area PD’, staking their claim on the room. From that moment, there was no slowing down. The pit was whipped into a frenzy, eager to reciprocate the energy the band was giving us. ‘Black Ice’ was next. From dancing to moshing to jumping and belting- there was no right way to celebrate the music that was being delivered to us. Kaito gave the directions, and the audience followed. Sing, scream and go crazy- that was the general expectation. ‘Slay!!’ followed and there is no other way to explain it than absolute bedlam. By the time they hit the “slower” I’m Ready To Die For My Friends, the heat from the room had truly taken hold. The only thing emitting more heat was the guitar solo from DaiDai, looking every bit the quintessential rockstar as he stood on the centre platform.
Giving everybody a moment to breathe, Kaito addressed the crowd and took time to mention the significance of how it felt to be touring internationally with fellow countrymen Crossfaith. Giving love to Melbourne and Australia too, it truly felt like we part of a moment that would be ingrained with the band for life. A moment solidified when a few songs later Paledusk were joined by Kenta to perform his voice on their recently revamped track ‘Q2’. Not one to waste too much time speaking though, Kaito took not a minute more than he had to introduce the next song, the title track from their recently dropped ‘PALEHELL’. With Aussie audiences being the first to hear it live, it truly was a treat. Asking us if we were still breathing and proclaiming that meant we were able to keep going, they finished the set with their bangers ‘9 SMILES’, ‘NO!!’ and ‘RUMBLE’. The love that Melbourne has for Paledusk was etched into every second of their set and felt like it was reciprocated tenfold so there is no doubt, we will not be strangers to this band as they continue to take over the world of metalcore.
If Paledusk are the lords of chaoscore, then Crossfaith are the gods. If you have ever heard that Japanese bands are “crazy live” then it would be easy to argue that when it comes to Japanese metalcore, Crossfaith are the blueprint. When I said Paledusk opened their set staking a metaphorical flag, Crossfaith came out with a literal flag. Any fatigue from moshing for the previous bands was forgotten once ‘Catastrophe’ started. Remembering that some of the audience had been with them for over a decade, longtime fans were treated as they dropped straight into ‘Monolith’. The Wall of Death counter for the gig was up to four by this point. The opening sequence was almost cruel- or at least a true test of cardio and stamina.
Thundering straight into ‘Freedom’ then when we thought we had a chance to wipe the sweat off our faces, the man in charge of the samples, keys and everything electronic Teru pulled out a bottle of Jagermeister. A cheeky grin crossed Kenta’s face and Teru took a swig. It was time for ‘Jagerbomb’. The crowd surfing started. Its atmosphere was frenetic. I’m not going to lie, it was hard to sit back and just observe by this point- it was infectious and it would be nigh on impossible for anybody to remain still.
I mentioned earlier about a masterclass on being a lead vocalist and while Amariah and Kaito were impeccable examples, Kenta Koie is an absolute master. From getting the audience to bring drinks to the stage to even sneakily easing tension between the rabid crowd and security, the man is world-class. His speech about music transcending borders and language, and his love for being able to tour with another Japanese band- the man oozes not just a mischievous charisma but a real authenticity that can be hard to find.
That is why when they burst into ‘Wildfire’, he was the only person able to control the insanity that erupted. ‘Gimme Danger’ found its way in there and their performance of their brand new single ‘Zero’ received the love of a classic. Determined not to let the energy drop at all Crossfaith returned the earlier love by inviting Kaito onstage to perform ‘Countdown To Hell’. As the two agents of chaos instructed the crowd to go even more feral, much to the despair of the security this performance alone added two more Walls of Death to the counter. Finishing off their set with ‘Xeno’, the “one more song” chants started before the band had even left the stage. The previously stressed security, obviously won over by the intensity, even joined in – with one hyped security guard even stage diving to the chanting. Returning with a live drum and bass exchange between Teru and drummer Tatsuya, the rest of the band made their entrance back onto the stage with their infamous cover of The Prodigy’s ‘Omen’. In a bid to give us one last moment to expand anything we had left- they finished their set with a throwback to one of their heaviest classics ‘Leviathian’.
One of the most endearing things about Crossfaith is that they don’t just play and leave- their shows are a party. Fans travelled not just locally, but from interstate and overseas to see them on this tour and if that doesn’t say what needs to be said- then I will say it; if you still have the opportunity to catch Crossfaith while they are here then do it.
Don’t think, just do it.
You won’t regret it.
Review by Kayla Hamilton @kaylazomboid
Photo Gallery by Adam Portelli. Insta: @adam.ellia
Please credit Wall of Sound and Adam Portelli if you repost.
Future Static
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Paledusk
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Crossfaith
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