Live Review: Every Time I Die, I Exist, Hellions

From the ashes of The Bride, hardcore crew Hellions have hit the ground running this year. The Sydneysiders swiftly clicked into gear, although the modest early attendance didn't quite reciprocate their enthusiasm. Laden with metallic riffs and breakdowns packing steroid-enhanced muscle, frontman Dre Faivre also brought their high energy, Rage Against The Machine-infused fare to the venue's floor.

Seemingly effortlessly able to musically contort themselves to fit whatever bill on which they appear, given the headliners' genre-hopping it was even easier than usual for Canberra's I Exist to assimilate. Marrying bluesy, sludge metal-dripping guitars and ferocious hardcore in unholy, devastatingly heavy matrimony and boasting their three-guitar complement, they road-tested material from forthcoming record From Darkness. Vocalist Jake Willoughby prowled the stage, counterpointed by axeman Josh Nixon utilising tricks from his rock move arsenal and fellow guitarist Aaron Osborne's crushing tone. Blisteringly efficient, their new LP can't arrive soon enough for headbangers and 'core aficionados alike.

The previous occasion that Every Time I Die performed in Sydney they battled the unseasonably sweltering conditions of this year's Big Day Out. Thankfully there were no such issues for the certified party-starters this time around; although they did have to dodge a constant stream of stage invaders, and at the set's conclusion, a mass stampede of eager punters. However, much to the chagrin of security – already having to contend with no barricade to assist them in their rather busy endeavours – the Buffalo heavy-hitters actively championed such behaviour. There were more dives than the FIFA World Cup, but the southern rock-tinged metalcore outfit weren't solely focused on such shape-throwing, guitar-flinging carnage. Screamer Keith Buckley further espoused the biting, often sarcastic sense of humour that has long been their modus operandi. He briefly sported sunglasses and a flower in his hair, reminding all present that, “this is a hardcore show, motherfuckers – go back to being angry”.

In between the chaos and occasional band member launching themselves into the pit, an hour of efficiently delivered, deliriously received cuts also ensued, meshing the sizeable fury of Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space, No Son Of Mine, widespread singalong The New Black and Apocalypse Now And Then with earlier favourites like Floater and Ebolarama. No frills, no fireworks and no banner – but whether one of the already converted or just attending out of curiosity on a Saturday night, few left without a grin that you would have required a sandblaster to remove.