Live Review: Shihad, High Tension, Cairo Knife Fight

A sparse early attendance meant there wasn’t much palpable atmosphere for Kiwi duo Cairo Knife Fight’s riff-heavy racket. They did their utmost, but although their unconventional rock piqued a few punters’ interest, it probably didn’t garner many fresh fans.

Speaking of which, there’s been plenty of buzz surrounding High Tension of late, including an ARIA nomination. You can now count this reviewer among the converted. Led by shrieking, howling front-woman Karina Utomo’s manic energy and abrasive guitars the bruising Melbourne noiseniks continued the momentum, leaving a lasting impression on the rapidly swelling crowd.

Their fellow ARIA nominees Shihad typically unleashed a riff barrage, kicking off with Think You’re So Free’s anthemic crunch and proceeding to perform latest disc, FVEY, from start to finish. Playing an entire new record could have been a risky venture, but considering it’s the Australasian hard rockers’ strongest – and most abrasive – in at least a decade, it flowed almost effortlessly. Perhaps some fans were conserving energy for the gig’s inevitable passage of hits, but they still bounced and sweated throughout, and vigorously chanted “cheap as fuck” during the main set’s finale.

Likeable front-man Jon Toogood recently told The Music that touring in support of their greatest hits release and opening for metal gods Black Sabbath had reignited their passion for more aggressive music. This was reflected during the encore as he remarked they would be airing their “favourite songs to play live”. A cavalcade of fan favourites followed in earnest. The room’s energy noticeably lifted for bruising Factory, You Again’s timelessly chunky riffage, a monumental The General Electric and My Mind’s Sedate and Comfort Me’s enormous choruses, before they signed off with Home Again. The near-permanent grins on the band members’ faces were matched by those of the crowd – another triumph for one of rock’s most consistent acts.