Photo Credit: Jared Leibowitz
This Tuesday night was anything but ordinary since it was a highly anticipated evening of chaos, mayhem, and brutality as Pest Control, Harms Way, Basement, and headliners Knocked Loose took over the O2 Manchester Victoria Warehouse. A statement-making night for hardcore at its finest.
Unfortunately, the night didn’t go according to plan, thanks to a major train delay caused by a breakdown earlier in the day. As time ticked away and Pest Control’s opening act and then Harm’s Way loomed in the distance, we realised we probably wouldn’t make it to see either. If you know us, you know that when things go completely off the rails (literally and figuratively), and we have no control, it’s like my personal version of a disaster movie, minus the dramatic music and slow-motion running.
Finally, in what felt like a lifetime, we had reached the venue, dodging through the crowds, just in time to see Basement.
Basement are an English melodic-hardcore band, who are known for their music as being melancholic melodies with raw lyricism. Mixing atmospheric instrumentals with a balance of aggression and moodiness. The set started off strong with the song Whole, which, for us, showcased a sense of personal introspection. As the instrumentation started off more subdued before it ramped up, hearing the dominating drum solo paired with Andrew Fisher’s raspy and soaring vocals of “Lie to me/Lie to me/Make me see” made for a powerfully charged lyric. Conveying emotional turmoil and the sense of tension in wanting the truth but also wanting to believe in something that may not be real, creating a feeling of longing for connection and vulnerability.
Spoiled was a high-energy and punchy track that gave us a sense of frustration and anger. It was filled with textured and abrasive guitar riffs, which aligned more with Basement’s hardcore sound. Singing along to the lyrics of “Cover me in kindness/Cover me in Love” captured a moment of reflection and realisation of self-awareness and guilt, especially when it comes to personal experiences and struggles.
The song For You The Moon created a mellow, warm, and sentimental atmosphere through its subdued and romantic instrumentals, which evoked a sound reminiscent of Citizen. New Coast brought a bittersweet and reflective sense by blending elements of nostalgia and longing and combining them with dreamy, soft guitar tones. Depicting themes of navigating change and moving on. Are You The One brought an anthemic vibe to the set, as it got the crowd to sing along with its catchy chorus. It gave us an emotionally heavy feeling without being aggressive. We were hearing a grunge and 90s alternative rock sound from bands like early Foo Fighters, Nirvana, and Jimmy Eat World.
Covet ended the performance, where everyone collectively sang, “When I’m with you/ I don’t want to be with you“. We admired how Fisher delivered each lyric with precision. His vocals carried a clear sense of intention, emotion, and intensity, perfectly complemented by the red, blue and pink lighting. The audience’s response was just as enthusiastic, especially during Covet. It felt like the crowd came together, almost as if singing the song became an anthem, a shared moment of appreciation. Being able to see the connection between the band and the crowd was undeniable. Even though Basement’s soundscapes were more melodic compared to the other bands on the line-up, everyone was still captivated, and the audience resonated deeply with their music.
Next up was the moment the audience had collectively come for: to witness the headliners, Knocked Loose. All the stress and hassle were worth it the moment we saw their iconic symbol, the glowing green cross, hauntingly illuminate the stage, not knowing what to expect, yet knowing exactly what to expect at the same time.
Knocked Loose, are an American hardcore and metalcore powerhouse, that have dominated the scene this past year. From releasing their album, You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, which offers a collection of songs that weave together a thematic, atmospheric soundscape, creating a vulnerable yet profoundly powerful listening experience. Making it impossible to ignore the raw intensity and urgency at the core of the band’s sound. The band was also nominated for a Grammy for their song Suffocate, featuring Poppy, which they performed live on Jimmy Kimmel. Their performance inspired many, delivering a positive and poignant message that people shouldn’t be afraid to be themselves. If you have a passion for making music, especially coming from the hardcore scene, then you should fight for what you believe in.
Thirst kicked off the set with a fiery and intense tone. It started off with eerie bells that made for a pre-warning before the song hit you with crushing riffs, relentless drumming, and Bryan Garris’ high-pitched screams. Immediately, this established the brutality of their sound, including the back-and-forth between Garris and Issac Hale’s backing vocals. This gave us the feeling of whiplash but in a captivating and hypnotic way.
Deep in the Willow continued the relentless energy by the sludgy, intricate and brooding guitar work. Bringing in dark and atmospheric soundscapes that had moments sounding more groove-based. The song Deadringer felt fast and furious, as it brought the intensity up another level because of the thrashing guitar tones and fierce, spitting vocals. Giving a short, sharp shot of adrenaline.
Moss Covers All acted as a chaotic interlude that switched between fast tempos and continued sludgy, almost swap-like riffs that were visceral. This led to the song Take Me Home, which felt unnerving and unsettling live with its suffocating guitar tones. It formed a lingering sombre and melancholy atmosphere that contrasted with the high-energy pace of other songs on the set.
Everything is Quiet Now was a notable track for its raw emotion and sonic power. During the song, the band commanded for a wall of death, as Garris stated that they couldn’t do it on the previous night in Brixton. As the crowd followed suit, the song was cut halfway through, and everything became quiet now because of the size and the crowd being too crazy.
Counting Worms was the track that instantly saw the breakdowns front and centre. The gnarly, relentless sound with the thick guitar tone, combined with the Garris cathartic chant of “I wrote a song about getting better/It’s a feeling I can’t remember,” and the crowds immediate clap back of “Arf Arf”, Depicted a form of mantra for them and acted as a signal to go wild. The audience demolished the sound of pounding drums and went animalistic, completely letting go, with no care in the world. Every time we looked around, someone was chucking a drink or an item of clothing, just causing absolute mayhem.
Suffocate depicted the signature dynamic, with pounding drumming and constant churning riffs. Garris called for a mosh pit as his guttural screams filled the air like a sonic assault, with moments of sheer chaos and no space to breathe. Sit & Mourn closed the show with its trudging rhythm, bringing the set to a climactic end. It was like a whirlwind of chaos, anger and darkness, with Garris saying, “I want bodies on top of bodies“, which ignited the last chance of any brutal behaviour, including the limbs of crowd surfers that could be seen in front of us. The song ended on a lingering note, as if it dissolved, almost like a whisper within the darkness and the idea of accepting grief rather than fighting against it. Making it a highlight of the night as hearing it live instead of through our headphones was completely captivating. Being there in the moment, witnessing the song first hand, left us in awe. We couldn’t help but appreciate every second of it.
Overall, if you have the opportunity to witness Knocked Loose live then be prepared to headbang, lose your voice and emerge drenched in sweat. As it is brutal, unrelenting, and absolutely worth it. Whether it’s your first time seeing them or your tenth, everyone is there for the same reason: to experience Knocked Loose in all their rawness and intensity. Having the ability to merge imagery, soundscapes, and atmosphere into a relentless, immersive performance is truly incredible. And the fans? They were just as wild as the performance itself. Seeing them go crazy at every song, moshing and two-stepping, and throwing caution to the wind was all part of the experience. If you need a reason to see Knocked Loose live, let this review be it.
