Live Review: Sick Of It All, Toe To Toe, Boneless

"Boneless are the best thing to ever come out of Penrith apart from Ryan Girdler," said Toe To Toe frontman Scott Mac when describing the opening act later in the night. He had a point. Boneless's set of freewheeling hardcore pulled from their Unstoppable 7" and the Gratitude LP was focused, powerful and pretty damn pleasing for everyone who'd showed up early to see one the leading voices of the next generation of local hardcore. Don't sleep on these guys.

Toe To Toe simply don't play bad shows. Despite being something of a part-time proposition these days the boys strolled on stage and effortlessly churned out a set that befitted a full-time touring band. The likes of Slave, Seeing Red, Falling Short and Survival were all met with cheers, and the quartet even dragged the headlining act's Craig Ahead on stage for a rare rendition of Underdog from the Still Fighting EP. Here's hoping for some new material and more regular shows from the Sydney legends.

Sick Of It All remain the most vital NYHC act on the face of the planet. Where some of their contemporaries look like they are simply going through the motions these Queens veterans radiated the same energy they did almost three decades ago. It was telling that the crowd's response for the newer material such as Road Less Traveled, Take The Night Off, Death Or Jail, and a stomping rendition of DNC off the last LP was just as rabid as it was for Clobberin' Time, Injustice System and My Life. Add in rousing versions of mid-era classics including Sanctuary and Good Lookin' Out and you can put yet another superb Sick Of It All gig in the history books. The consistency of this band, both on stage and on wax, is phenomenal. They weren't lying when they boasted that their impact would be felt.