This was going to be one of the biggest hardcore shows of the year with an amazing line-up. Once again, Extensive Enterprise is always hosting the best concerts in the city.
America’s most hated boy band Omerta was opening the evening. Hailing from Houston, they were tasked with warming up the crowd for the evening to come. Taking the stage with an insane amount of energy, they launched into their flurry of fast-paced vocals combined with cathartic metalcore sound. Influenced by a classic nu-metal sound with some modern hardcore mixed in and a pinch of hip-hop, they played through songs from their 2020 Hyperviolence album. Their set was fast-paced with switching vocalists, a lot of janky guitar riffs and a fantastic performance. Their performance was high energy as the crowd was discovering their music. A few of their hardcore fans danced and shouted along to their set. If you are unfamiliar with their music and you are looking for a unique hardcore band, check them out.
The next band to take the stage were the highly respected hardcore veterans Terror from LA. As a disclaimer, I must say they are one of my personal favourite live bands, and I never miss a show. Usually, I stand behind and take notes, but for this band, I jumped right into the mosh pit. Terror released a fantastic album early this year, and they opened their set with the title track Pain into Power. As always, vocalist Scott Vogel was yelling at us from the stage to mosh harder, jump off the stage and to give the security guards a workout. The crowd happily obliged as bodies piled to jump across the barriers. The band played a set containing songs spanning their 20-year career, including classics such as Spit My Rage, Stick Tight, Overcome and Keep Your Mouth Shut. They finished out their short but high-energy set with the iconic Keepers of the Faith as fans climbed on top of each other to shout out lyrics with the band. If you have never seen Terror live, it is an experience to be lived. Their fans are passionate and love participating in their live show.
After one legend, we were graced with another one. The iconic Death Metal band Dying Fetus was next. The 3-piece death metal band blended and mixed genres in the styles as they moved from brutal death metal to a more technical style all the while combining slow and groovy mosh and slam riffs to their aural onslaught. Their technical prowess was to be admired as they played at breakneck speeds while both the guitar and bass player growled and barked out the lyrics. The band took the opportunity to visit all the eras from their discography, playing classics such as Grotesque Impalement from the year 2000 all the way up to their new single Compulsion for Cruelty. I enjoyed their performance, but despite being a technical masterpiece, it seemed a bit static as the 3-piece cannot afford to move much.
Our headliner, Knocked Loose was up last in this evening of intense, brutal music. Their stage decor offered a fantastic light show as the band opened with Where the Light Divides the Holler. Vocalist Bryan Garris was in fantastic form as he shouted out to a frenzied crowd that moshed and danced along. The lights behind the band were flickering and giving us a light show as they revisited some of the classic songs such as Billy No Mates and All My Friends. The guitarist kept hyping up the crowd telling to circle pit and mosh harder to the pleasure of the crowd. The closed out the show with two of their classic songs, Counting Worms and Permanent.
As people poured out of l’Olympia everyone seemed satisfied with their evening. All the bands offered great performances; the crowd was present and energetic for a Wednesday night. Thanks to Extensive Enterprise for another great show.
Review – Jason Maher
Photos – Steve Gerrard
