It’s not often that Hardcore veterans Biohazard get described as being like waiting for a bus. You wait for what seems like an age for an appearance up North then the Brooklyn Rockers make a welcome return no less than three times in the last three years.The last couple of visits have been to the legendary Newcastle Rock venue Trillians, but with that venue closing then reopening again only recently it was time to move across the city to the Think Tank.
This was an absolutely perfect venue for a Biohazard show. With the stage in the corner and the band and crowd right up close, this had the potential to be an incendiary show and Biohazard did not disappoint.
Hitting the stage with a ferocious “Wrong Side of the Track” quickly followed by the sucker punch of “Shades of Grey”, which has absolutely no connection with that book, Biohazard ignited the touch paper and never eased off. The energy exuded from singer Billy Graziadei and guitarist, Bobby Hambel could fire of small power station and would leave many half their age gasping for breath.
Music touches many emotions. It can soothe and caress the soul or it can fire you up and release a volcano of pent up frustration. Biohazard’s anger at the inequality of society touching on issues such as racism, corporate domination and social division are delivered with brute force as “Tales from The Hard Side” and “Resist” detonate a ferocious, chaotic mosh pit while a cover of Bad Religion’s “We’re Only Gonna Die” sends it into a spiralling frenzy. Those on the edge were well advised to stand clear although a hardy bunch of teenage girls stayed close to the stage for the duration gaining a high five of respect from Graziadei and a collection of selfies after the show was over.
With half the audience up on the stage at various times during the evening this must be a nightmare for the venue security, yet for all its apparent ferocity and anger there were no casualties. Anyone slipping on the floor was helped up by an array of hands and any microphone stands bustled over by an over enthusiastic stage diver was quickly repositioned by a helpful fan. Even mosh pits have an organised etiquette.
As “Punishment” and “Hold My Own” brought the show to a cataclysmic conclusion the calm after the storm descended on the Think Tank and an exhausted crowd left quietly after another exhilarating show by Brooklyn’s purveyors of chaos.
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