For the first time ever, two of Brooklyn's heaviest bands Biohazard and Life of Agony share the stage on a monumental co-headline tour. musomuso caught them both at the O2 Academy in Bristol.
First up was North Carolina based, six-piece band LYLVC (pronounced "Lilac") inspired by bands including Linkin Park and Bring Me The Horizon, the dual vocals between Alyse and Oscar created a strong dynamic with a thumping hard backline to drive the crowd. A fantastic warm up for the 2 main events.
Life of Agony celebrated the 30th anniversary of their debut album ‘River Runs Red’ in 2023 with a highly successful world tour and released the brand-new track ‘The Crow (In Memory of B.L.)’ and hit the Bristol stage to a rapturous reception. The Brooklyn 4 piece alternative metal band has also been described as grunge, hard rock, heavy metal, nu-metal and also incorporated elements of hardcore punk into their music and all was evident in their sound.
It was a very energetic performance, with guitarist Joey Z and bass player Alan Robert in particular, non stop balls of energy from one side of the stage to the other. A brilliant set as they ran through their hits with passion, drive and energy.
Biohazard were recently announced as the inaugural signing to BLKIIBLK, an imprint of the Frontiers Label Group, and unveiled plans for a new album in 2025.Its been a busy 18 months for the Biohazard, who performed their first reunion show at the Milwaukee Metal Fest in 2023, toured North America with Megadeth, and have laid millions of festival fans to waste in the year since.
They launched straight into 'What Makes us Tick' and by the time 'Shades of Grey' kicked in, limbs were everywhere as the circle pits begun. It's been nearly 35 years since the release of their eponymous album and over 20 years since they were kicked out of Donnington Monsters of Rock festival for inviting 'the crowd' onto the stage to ‘party’, what a day that was, but their energy remains as they hit the Bristol crowd with both barrels from the start.
The majority of the set came from their 1992 release, 'Urban Discipline' and 1994's 'State of World Address' but these tracks still hit hard. 57 year old lead singer Evan Seinfeld, still ripped and covered in tattoos, hasn't lost any of the power and ferocity of delivery as guitarist Billy Graziadei bounced around the stage and stoked up the crowd.
It was a brilliant set from the NYC hardcore rockers and the crowd, while mainly of the older generation, with a side smattering of youth, didn't let up until the last notes died away. There will be a few stiff bodies when they finally get out of bed in the morning (me included!)
Words and Pictures Glenn Morrison
