Live Review: Refused, Sick Of It All, High Tension

American author and technology entrepreneur Vivek Wadhwa once said: "A key ingredient in innovation is the ability to challenge authority and break rules." Now while this event featuring two of the world's greatest bands and innovators in the punk/hardcore movement has little to do with technology and engineering, the quotation perfectly encapsulates these outfits' messages and leadership in crafting their timeless and memorable art.

Melbourne's High Tension had the privilege of opening for the entirety of this grand tour and were clearly elated by the opportunity even to the somewhat unsuspecting crowd. But, the quartet made their mark instantaneously; vocalist Karina Utomo was a person possessed, nearly evil, and the band portrayed a remarkable cinematic performance of their muddied metallic hardcore. Bully and High Risk High Rewards were the highlights, but honestly it is Utomo's lioness-style as a frontwoman that is exceptionally outstanding. Deciding the stage was too elevated, she joined the audience to snarl in their faces and provoke discomfort in an absolutely extraordinary manner. This opening was flawless.

For over 30 years, New York's Sick Of It All have been commanding the melodic hardcore scene and dominating stages worldwide; it was now Adelaide's turn and they were definitely here to make their mark again. This intent was cemented mere seconds into the four-piece's opening track Take The Night Off, which exploded with the ferocity of a great white shark attack on an unsuspecting seal. That analogy actually describes Sick Of It All's entire set rather superbly, but without the fatal bloodshed. Injustice System!, Sound The Alarm, Good Lookin' Out, Road Less Traveled, Friends Like You, My Life (with a deafening audience chant), Machete, Scratch The Surface and the best song of the set World Full Of Hate were featured and completely motivated the growing crowd to dance, jump and sing along. Understandably, mention of the Trump inauguration and the comedy show that USA is hosting right now was a hot topic, but it acted as a catalyst for the band to just push themselves harder. Undoubtedly these four gentlemen from Queens can outdo kids a fraction of their age.

An odd silence and questionable white noise engulfed HQ Complex, which probably created an excited unease for the headliners; every minute that passed exacerbated the anticipation until it was borderline intolerable. Suddenly, from almost nowhere, five well-dressed Swedish gentlemen took the stage to an eruption of cheers and applause. The quintet known as Refused then launched their assault on Adelaide. Servants Of Death began the onslaught, which, in context, was a rather peculiar opener and had the punk luminaries looking rather similar to garage rockers The Hives (although this comparison was short-lived). The Shape Of Punk To Come saw the outfit recalling their youth in a chaotic manner. The setlist included The Refused Party Program, Rather Be Dead, Dawkins Christ, The Deadly Rhythm, Destroy The Man, Hook, Line And Sinker, Thought Is Blood, Refused Are Fucking Dead, Life Support Addiction and Worms Of The Senses/Faculties Of The Skull. Then an encore of Elektra, New Noise and Tannhauser/Derive closed the performance, completely bewildering the South Australians in attendance in the process. Vocalist Dennis Lyxzen was superhuman in his role. Swinging the microphone, executing handstands, dancing and fly kicks, he is an enigma on stage. We are all ecstatic they would "Rather be alive".