KNOCKED LOOSE w/ SHOW ME THE BODY, LOATHE & SPEED
@ HISTORY, TORONTO
JUNE 5, 2024
Fresh off the release of You Wonβt Go Before Youβre Supposed To, Knocked Loose just wrapping up their North American tour with support from Speed, Loathe, and Show Me The Body. On Wednesday night they made their stop in Toronto at History to a sold-out crowd and a lot of fans were eagerly anticipating the chance to hear these new songs live for the first time.
But first, Speed, or should I say SPEEEED, one of Australiaβs most exciting bands right now and one of the most refreshing bands in hardcore. Their fierce style has resonated greatly with crowds all over this side of the pond and after witnessing it, itβs no surprise why.
UKβs Loathe were also a long way from home to join this tour. Their sound could best be described as a blend of Meshuggah, Deftones, and Radiohead which I think we can all agree is a great recipe and it translates to devastatingly beautiful and heavy moments clashing together in a way that few bands can pull off.
Show Me The Body. What else is there to say. Starting their set off in complete darkness which was fitting for them, frontman Julian Cashwan Pratt came out wearing a camouflage vest, then gripped the mic and pressed it against his lips while the crowd watched in awe. After the opener he grabbed his signature banjo, and if this was your first time hearing or seeing this band youβd probably be shocked to hear the grittiness in their sound and how itβs achieved. I guarantee youβve never heard another band with a banjo sound like this. It really shines on tracks like βMetallic Tasteβ which is such a groovy yet haunting song. Right as they were finishing their last song, Pratt ran and jumped over the barrier into the crowd and disappeared into the sea of bodies.
Knocked Loose finally hit the stage and did it in style with βMistakes Like Fractures.β Vocalist Bryan Garris stood on a raised platform at the front of the stage but didnβt stay there for long as he frantically ran from side to side of the stage getting everyone in the crowd involved even though they didnβt need much convincing. His delivery was flawless, sounding even better and more polished than he does on the recordings. Guitarist Isaac Hale who also handles vocal duties was equally as impressive and it must be said that no matter where you stood in the room the band sounded incredibly tight. Halfway through their set they played βBellevilleβ, a song that was made for moshing and unleashed chaos in the audience. It wouldnβt have been a Knocked Loose show without a wall of death as well. This band is surely at their peak and not slowing down any time soon and theyβve proved it on this tour.
(Photography by Jacob Vandergeer)