Irving Plaza in New York City was the home for what I called the “New Yorkers only night” of the sold-out reunion shows of Hardcore Punk and Heavy Metal Crossover legends, Biohazard. This night kicked off with Long Island’s own King Nine, who were new to my ears. Known for their abrasive, heavy sound, took to the stage with ferocity, that set a ferocious tone for the evening. They proved captivating with their blend of abrasive vocals and abrasive riffs, reminding the crowd why they have earned their spot on the stage tonight.
Following King Nine, the stage was seized by another iconic Brooklyn band, Indecision. Their intricate combination of Punk Rock and Metalcore was an intoxicating mix of nostalgia and freshness. Setting the audience ablaze with their signature sociopolitical commentary embedded within each song. Top tracks played included “False Prophet Preaching” and “Most Precious Blood.” Their performance took me back to the old days of Castle Heights in 1990s.
As for Biohazard, their performance was a throwback consisting of material only from their first three albums. It felt incredibly relevant to the present day. Age had not dulled the intensity of their delivery, and if anything, they seemed to have gained a newfound fire. They had that Iron Maiden level of energy on that stage. Classics like “What Makes Us Tick?” and “Shades of Grey” were delivered with a fire that only comes from years of experience. Not bad for not playing in their hometown in twelve years with this lineup. The band gave a special shoutout to original drummer Anthony Meo. He was on Facetime as the band and crowd chanted his name and wished him well while he battles an illness.
There were no weak songs on this night. All killer, no filler and every song was a singalong. I even got to hear their Bad Religion cover “We’re Only Gonna Die of Our Own Ignorance” before ending the night with “Punishment” and “Hold My Own!” There were a lot of older cats here tonight, as well as the younger generation of fans. The whole night felt full of ageless optimism.
Time may have been lost, but this night was a testament to the enduring power of hardcore, and to the bands who’ve weathered the years without losing their edge. Welcome back Bio!
INTERVIEW: Billy Graziadei of Biohazard Talks Reunion, New Music from BillyBio, and Powerflo
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WORDS AND PHOTOS BY OMAR CORDY