Last night, Cancer Bats tore up Crowbar Sydney with their epic Bat Sabbath set, blasting Black Sabbath covers that had the whole place partying. They didn’t stop there, they kept the vibe alive with a DJ set afterward, keeping everyone hyped. Tonight, they’re back to deliver their original Cancer Bats tunes, promising another night of hardcore mayhem. Kicking off the evening are local legends Irken Armada, Bare Bones, and FANGZ.
The air outside may be crisp, but Irken Armada didn’t take long to heat things up inside, setting the stage with their hungry energy, this reviewer will be checking much more of their material thanks to tonight’s show. Following them, Bare Bones, a band with twelve years under their belt, brought their homegrown metalcore to life. Their set, filled with metal riffs and a tight-knit camaraderie, had the crowd buzzing, even catching the attention of Liam from Cancer Bats who was seen headbanging at the sound booth. So far the calibre of supports is seriously impressive.
As FANGZ took the stage in matching dungarees, the rooms energy stepped up a notch. Tracks like Self Medicate and chants of “F*ck What You Say” had the crowd singing along, and the band’s infectious enthusiasm made it feel like a wild Friday night. Bass player Jameel chugged on the Cancer Bats cold brew coffee, (available at all shows in collaboration with Aussie brewsters, Bellmott). All four members on stage joining in on backup vocals added to the unified sound as they were all smiles throughout their set.
With the stage bathed in red lighting and Metallica’s for Whom The Bell Tolls seeping through the speakers, Cancer Bats stormed in, opening with Gatekeeper, and wasting no time jumping into fan favourites like Trust No One and Lonely Bong, the latter featuring a guest appearance by Drew Gardner from local madmen Totally Unicorn. The setlist was a relentless barrage of hits, with Pneumonia Hawk, and The Hoof, Lucifer’s Rocking Chair, which was no doubt a crowd favourite. Each of the four band members never standing still all had their own personality, the energy on stage was contagious! Liam took a moment to thank the crowd and the venue for the last two nights, reminiscing about their 17 years of touring Australia. He mentioned that the last time they played here five years ago, they were joined by the same supporting acts, Bare Bones and FANGZ, making this reunion feel even more special.
Midway through the set, the crowd was treated to the anthemic R.A.T.S followed by the killer riffs of Hammering On, touching on the doom/stoner/sludge style of Cancer Bats. The intensity never wavered as the band launched into Harem of Scorpions and Sorceress, each track delivered with more energy and gusto than the last. True Zero’s powerful lyrics “May I remind myself who I really am” resonated deeply as Liam pointed and sung along with many members of the crowd.
As the night drew to a close, the batty Canadians didn’t let up. They tore through the heavy bass intro of Winterpeg, masterfully led by master of the low end, bassist Jaye Schwarzer, followed by Bricks & Mortar, and an intense cover of the Beastie Boys’ Sabotage before closing with the fan-favorite Hail Destroyer. I was devastated when their sound was cut at Download Festival UK last year during Hail Destroyer, now my thirst finally quenched.
Cancer Bats left the stage, leaving the crowd sweaty, exhilarated, and eagerly anticipating their next visit already. Drummer Mike Peters jumped down to the barrier to shake hands and exchange sweaty hugs to top off an already amazing night. Tonight’s show was a testament to the band’s enduring appeal and their ability to deliver an energetic, unforgettable live show.
The tour stops into Canberra, then Melbourne for two shows, before wrapping up on Adelaide on June 21st. Do not miss this tour!