Six Things We Learnt From Alexisonfire's Blistering Return To The Aussie Stage

The anticipation surrounding the return to Australian shores from Canadian post-hardcore quintet Alexisonfire feels as though it has been building forever.

Announced back in August, it didn’t take long to become a hot ticket, and now that we’ve been able to experience what they’re packing for their Australian return, let’s see what Perth had to offer.

tight, tight, tight

Apart from a brief warm-up club show in Toronto, the band hadn’t taken to the stage since September 2015 so a first gig outing after a break of that length would typically show in most bands. The razor sharp timing from the four negated any thoughts of stage rust within an instant of walking through the smoke machine and grasped the room's attention just as quickly. With a dazzling stage lighting array, harmonising three vocals and not letting a single note drop, their experience was clearly on display in the best ways.

they don't make 'em like they used to

From the brutal riff of Happiness By The Kilowatt to the outright crazy pace of Dog’s Blood, there is still the feeling of ferocious power from the stage. If it’s George Pettit pacing angrily between raw guttural screams or the manic thrashes of Wade McNeil, the band are constantly wound and loaded. No breaks, no pacing, no excuses, just outright and sweaty, blistering energy.

The Setlist was Batshit Insane

At almost twenty tracks deep it is as though the setlist was pulled directly from the ‘Make the crowd go batshit insane’ list of the band's catalogue. No favourite seemed to be overlooked, from the roaring woahs of Accidents, the slow waves of The Northern and the chaotic rhythms in Boiled Frogs. Every record in the catalogue has a solid representation and will leave fans salivating between tracks.

CHRIS STEELE is one of the best bassists going around

Honestly, the man is like a living breathing cartoon, his presence on stage is entertaining enough alone to justify a ticket.

Dallas Green Was In Fine Form

For all the ferocity and wild antics, Green held steady on stage right and delivered some of the richest melodies the band has written to unify the band's strong elements. Improving with age as a performer and still an incredible vocal powerhouse, the return to the aggressive sounds of Alexis from Green is exciting to both see and hear from the crowd and appeared to be immeasurable fun for the man himself.

they're well and truly back

“I missed you guys, seriously,” Pettit stated under a shroud of sweat. It’s a statement that is met unanimously by the other members also and it shows in their performance. Beaming with energy and plastered with smiles, there was a cohesion to the set that spoke volumes to the enjoyment received from having a few thousand people throw your songs back at you with excitement. Hiatuses, history and hearsay have done no splintering between the guys, and we get to reap the benefits.

Having been no stranger to Australian shores since their first visit over ten years ago, Alexisonfire now seem refreshed and reinvigorated to the stage. If this is what we get after just the first comeback show, there’s every chance that Alexisonfire may be about to deliver us with their best run of dates ever.

Check out theGuide for details on the rest of their Australian tour dates.