Words and Pics by Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
It’s a fittingly chilly evening in Sydney for Finnish metallers Children of Bodom. The pale-skinned shred-tastic troupe from the North country probably blew right into town on the cold wind that’s brought with it a motley crew of fans from all over like some kind of Pied Piper.
Continue reading Live Review | Children of Bodom @ Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney | May 9, 2014
Photographer: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
Continue reading Photo Gallery | Children of Bodom @ The Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney | May 9, 2014
Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
Last time this reviewer was lucky enough to see Killswitch Engagewas at what was then called the Forum at Moore Park (now the HiFi). It was a sideshow to another festival and the bill included Divine Heresy and Shadows Fall. It was a remarkable show housed within a diminutive venue when the band was fronted by the mighty Howard Jones – who, at one point in the show climbed the speaker stack and proceeded to fall into the crowd below. The anticipation level was high for tonight’s show.
Continue reading Live Review | Killswitch Engage + Kill Devil Hill @ UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney | April 12, 2014
Photographer: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
Continue reading Photo Gallery | Killswitch Engage + Kill Devil Hill @ UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney | April 12, 2014
Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
To say that we were a little concerned about Monster Magnet’s set upon reaching the HiFi Bar just as the doors were opening would be an understatement. Simply put, there was very little sign of life. Granted, it was a dismal evening with some drizzle and cold Autumn winds blowing through, but there was hot night of raucous rock and roll to be enjoyed inside.
Regardless, Sydney band Arrowhead opened the night’s festivities to an almost empty room, rocking out with an energetic mix of mid-paced stoner/desert/Sabbath vibes. The three-piece made a beautiful racket and the small crowd clearly appreciated their driving, grooving slabs of riffage.
Continue reading Live Review | Monster Magnet + King of the North + Arrowhead @ Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney – April 4, 2014
Photographer: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
Continue reading Photo Gallery | Monster Magnet + King Of The North + Arrowhead @ Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney | April 4, 2014
Review and photos by Ben Hosking
It almost seems absurd that a chart-topping US rock band like Alter Bridge should be playing a venue as small as Sydney’s HiFi. So, it makes sense that tonight’s show – a Soundwave sideshow – should be completely sold out. Indeed, the line of punters stretches from the front door, around the side and turns back on itself to the front door. The Tremonti (AB’s guitarist) tattoo taking one guy’s entire lower leg tells us that he’s probably been here most of the day waiting.
Continue reading Live Review | Alter Bridge + Living Colour | The Hi-Fi, Sydney – February 25, 2014
Photographer: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
Continue reading Photo Gallery | Alter Bridge @ The Hi-Fi, Sydney – February 25, 2014
Photographer: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
Continue reading Photo Gallery | Living Colour | The Hi-Fi, Sydney – February 25, 2014
Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
What a freakin’ line up! Tonight’s Soundwave sideshow has sold out Luna Park’s Big Top and had punters lining up around the venue since 9am. It’s hardly surprising when you have Nu Metal legends Korn and comic super villain Rob Zombie headlining the same bill.
Opening tonight’s festivities are the masked crazies Mushroomhead. While their sound may not completely live up to their evil image, they offer an interesting three vocal assault, combining rap, screams and melodic vocals over a thickened bed of crushing riffs and soaring choruses. Tonight’s performance quickly whips up the early crowd, with all three singers launching into the crowd at one point.
Continue reading Live Review | Rob Zombie + Korn + Mushroomhead | Big Top Luna Park, Sydney – February 24, 2014
Photographer: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
Continue reading Photo Gallery | Clutch + Don Fernando @ Metro Theatre, Sydney – February 20, 2014
Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
It begins… The first Soundwave Sidewave shows hit Sydney’s venues in earnest, with Maryland, USA nitro-charged rockers Clutch getting into the swing of things early at Sydney’s Metro Theatre. Supported by Melbourne four-piece Don Fernando, it’s the first time the rock royalty have visited our shores since 2010 and as vocalist/preacher Neil Fallon and his beard proclaim, “Let’s make up for lost time!”
Continue reading Live Review | Clutch + Don Fernando @ Metro Theatre, Sydney – February 20, 2014
Review and photos by Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au – for Life Music Media
Even before Animals as Leaders take to the Metro stage, the venue is rapidly filling with excited, guitar-crazy punters. There are scores of Periphery shirts circulating and it’s almost impossible to find more than one of the same design – a testament to the band’s proactive approach to merchandise and self promotion.
Despite this, it’s clear that just as many of the assembled throng are here to see Tosin Abasi and co. perform their unique brand of instrumental, 8-string rock fusion. For what is really an odd instrumental line-up (both Abasi and fellow guitarist Javier Reyes playing 8-string Ibanez guitars and drummer Matt Garstka), the mix rings true and clear and the band do an excellent job of recreating tracks from their first two albums – announcing to the eager crowd that they’ve just finished work on album number three. Watching Abasi and Reyes navigate their large fret boards with such ease and confidence definitely makes you feel insignificant – Reyes’ incredible, simultaneous bass line and melody counterpoint work was particularly breathtaking.
Continue reading Live Review | Periphery + Animals as Leaders @ Metro Theatre, Sydney – February 1, 2014
Photographer: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au – for Life Music Media
Continue reading Photos | Periphery – Metro Theatre, Sydney – February 1, 2014
Photographer: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au – for LifeMusicMedia.com
Continue reading Photos | Animals As Leaders – Metro Theatre, Sydney – February 1, 2014
