Music
Review
Hardcore punk’s unstoppable resurgence is undergoing a more brutal shift
Knocked Loose's Manchester show points to a growing appetite for a more intense, savage side to hardcore punk
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, the global hardcore punk renaissance is not news to heavy music fans – to the point where it’s reached a state of semi-permanence. At the helm of this phenomenon are Turnstile, whose 2021 melodic-infused masterpiece GLOW ON propelled them to the forefront of the scene, before they began to wrap their fingers around the mainstream – including becoming the first hardcore act to ever play Glastonbury in 2023.
Also infusing infectious melody with hardcore are California noiseniks Militarie Gun and Scowl, flying the flag for a thriving scene on the US West Coast. However, for a hard-and-fast underground genre that is defined by its harsh, frenetic style, there are plenty of acts who haven’t strayed too far from this path – such as ruthless Aussie risers Speed and Philadelphia quartet Jesus Piece.
Leading the way in that department, though, are Kentucky five-piece Knocked Loose, who flipped the narrative to make their bone-crushingly heavy third album You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To last year. Tracks such as the uncompromising ‘Blinding Faith’ and Poppy collaboration ‘Suffocate’ (which features a reggaeton rhythm in its breakdown) have seen the band’s stock skyrocket. The latter got nominated for a Grammy award, while Jimmy Kimmel invited them onto his late night talk show last November for one of the heaviest performances in recent history on US TV.
Tonight, as stepping inside Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse, the fruits of Knocked Loose’s labour are clear for all to see – as the venue is packed to the brim long before main support act Basement have even entered the stage. Overlooked by the spooky yellow cross from their YWGBYST artwork, it momentarily flashes red during ‘Deep In The Willow’ – a brief warning of the danger that’s ensuing down below.
“Look at the person next to you – I need you to start pushing that person,” growls guitarist Isaac Hale. “There are way too many people standing still.” Later that night, the show is momentarily stopped because the wall of death during ‘Everything Is Quiet Now’ has stretched all the way back to the sound desk. “They said you were too crazy, Manchester,” teases vocalist Bryan Garris, commanding proceedings with a sense of renewed confidence to step into his role as the fabled frontman that the genre has built him up to be.
Crucially, there’s not a moment of respite all night. Minds and bodies have been well and truly shattered. In an age where heavy acts are increasingly polishing their production, incorporating poppier, electronic elements and embracing radio-friendly experimentation, Knocked Loose’s approach is a breath of fresh air. It’s proof that in an oversaturated market, where TikTok clips now seem to be king, music fans still go in search of something raw and extreme – where heaviness can be pushed to its serrated limits.
“The attention makes us want to double down [on the approach],” Garris promised recently, in an interview with NME. Hardcore bands all around the world can take inspiration from their story, standing tall on their dagger-like sound. It’s not a sprint race, but it might not be long before they catch up with the likes of Turnstile and can headline outdoor shows in their own right – and take the violent, vicious side of hardcore to another level.
