Live Review: A Wilhelm Scream w/ Greyface, Gifthorse, & The Decline @ Crowbar

One of my all time favourite heavy rockers A Wilhelm Scream were finally back down under and playing at the home of Brisbane’s heavy music scene, Crowbar. When I first walked into the foyer area an enjoyable vibe was being created with some punk acoustic tunes being played by Hanny J. The buzz in the air made for a comfortable environment for drinking and socialising while waiting in anticipation for the evening’s entertainment.

The night was kicked off by Greyface, a Brisbane 4-piece who played music that you wanted to dance to, easily warming up the relaxed crowd. Their sound was a little bit punk and grunge mixed with a bit of pop, and sounds as if The Menzingers turned melodic. The vocals were strong and clean but at the same time were somewhat piercing. Their drummer was by far the highlight with intense fills in every song providing a sturdy platform for the lead guitar and bass to do their thing.

Melodic punks Gifthorse were the second act on and proceeded to delivery some interesting emo-punk from the 2000s. Lead vocalist Shane Collins was relaxed and layered well with the fast paced bass and harmonious lead guitar. The rhythms were constantly changing and kept the crowd pumped, mainly due to the drummer Luke Gal’s fabulous beats. The band’s overall set was mediocre, but it that may have had something to do with the lead guitarist apparently playing with broken ribs!

“Chopping and changing between albums, A Wilhelm Scream kept things interesting and delivered plenty messages of anarchism.”

Skate punks The Decline were the main support for the night, and sounded pretty similar to Frenzal Rhomb. The band’s interaction with the audience was exceptional, not only with their tight, energetic, and fast paced entertaining sound, but also through their comical chatter and banter. The Decline created an exceptional atmosphere as many of the audience up dancing, which included a circle pit with people pushing and shoving getting into the catchy hooks and energetic tracks.

Finally, A Wilhelm Scream (AWS) took to the stage. Hailing from New Bedford, Massachusetts, the 5-piece launched straight into their set, instantly conjuring a mosh a crowdsurfers. They played songs from across their albums including tracks from ‘Ruiner’, ‘Mute Print’, ‘Career Suicide’, and their more recent material from ‘Partycrasher’. Chopping and changing between albums, AWS kept things interesting and delivered plenty messages of anarchism.

Lead vocalist Nuno Pereira has a unique alternative rock tone, that caps off the band’s odd time signatures, creating an atmosphere of remarkable entertainment that’s a mix of metal, rock, and hardcore. I’m always mesmerised when I see AWS perform, they really get the audience pumping and clearly love being onstage.

A Wilhelm Scream have come to Australia many times, however this was by far their most accomplished show I’ve experienced by the band. It sure was an action packed set that anyone who is into hardcore or punk would have absolutely appreciated.

Read our interview with A Wilhelm Scream’s frontman Nuno Pereira HERE