LIVE REVIEW: KNOTFEST AT CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS SYDNEY 23/03/2024
PHOTOS CREDIT: ADRIANNE ARMIDA
Knotfest Sydney unveiled one hell of a spectacle by the maestros of metal!
There’s something truly remarkable about metal. The punters are completely unique, entirely passionate and always at the forefront of camaraderie. They might be getting their faces bloody, head banging for hours on end and all-too happy to jump into a wall of death, but they couldn’t be any kinder.
From the second I entered the grounds of Centennial Park, a smile emerged on my face and I can tell you it still hasn’t left. The vibes were immaculate. I hadn’t seen anything like this since Soundwave 2012. An endless sea of tattoos, hair in every colour and cut imaginable, custom denim jackets covered in band patches from every era of metal and nothing but eager anticipation for each act; I was in my happy place.
As Slipknot's own self-curated destination festival, KNOTFEST promised an unparalleled fusion of adrenaline-pumping performances, unapologetic self-expression, and an unrivaled sense of community. And it did not disappoint. The lineup was stellar, with the first-half of the day featuring King Parrot, Brand of Sacrifice, Speed, Windwaker, Skindred, Escape the Fate and Thy Art is Murder. Non-stop commotion in the absolute best way!
The second-half of KNOTFEST was extra special for me, seeing every single artist live for the first time. Not knowing what to expect was electrifying, and every single act was better than I’d dreamed and more. It was also at this point in the day I started noticing more and more attendees clad in merch, a few of them telling me it would be “sacrilege” to leave without it. Worn like armor, ready to go into the battle of the pit proudly, it gave me pure joy to see the passion metalheads are so well known for.
Wage War lived up to their name, charging the stage with everything they had. The crowd quite literally lost it at ‘Stitch’ - the perfect opener. ‘Godspeed’ and ‘High Horse’ were also highlights, with lead vocalist Briton Bond proving he knows exactly how to deliver to his audience with them evidently in the palm of his tattooed hands.
Asking Alexandria opened with ‘Closure’ immediately followed up with ‘Alone Again’, which had fans crowd surfing for their lives. It was the most amazing, insane sight to behold! It just made you want to jump in so badly (well, at least for me!) and thrash around in that pit like your life depended on it.
The Hu were a significantly special part of KNOTFEST for me, only ever having heard of their magic on-stage presence and talent in the past and now finally getting to witness it up-close. For anyone who hasn’t yet heard of The Hu, they are a Mongolian musical group that seamlessly combines the electrifying sounds of heavy metal guitars with the ancient art of traditional Mongolian throat singing. When they walked on stage, yy jaw hit the floor still with the biggest smile - they are truly something else. The costumes alone are a member of the band, carrying a whole life and presence of their own. The colours, the detail; just WOW. Once you’ve taken in the strength of them visually, then comes the power of their vocals. Bellowing right through your soul. Lead Throat Singers Gala and Enkush, along with Jaya had me floored. They had the crowd under their spell from beginning to end, and it’s easy to see why. I highly recommend listening to ‘Shoog Shoog’ and ‘YUT Hovende’ - these songs in particular captivated every single body at Knotfest, fists raised high!
Another stand out set for me, and one I will never forget was Halestorm. Lizzy Hale took to the stage with immediate ferocity, making sure to point out that she “May be the only woman you’ll see on this stage tonight, but I’m certainly not the only woman here.” The power that ricocheted through her words into the crowd was palpable, and I felt it. Her raw vocals are what I’d call Angelic-grunge - pure, powerful and insurmountable. ‘I Miss the Misery’ kicked off their set, and rightfully so. She had all her skills on display - shredding her Gibson, dropping to her knees whilst still perfectly belting notes us mere mortals only wish we could, and her serious crowd control. ‘Freak Like Me’ and ‘Bombshell’ were also commendably commanding - what a set! What I also loved was how much pure fun the entire band had throughout. It’s easy to see why they are so universally loved.
Lamb of God tore onto the stage with a mission: to give a 50/10 performance, and that is exactly what they did. Randy Blythe was born to perform and seeing him and the entire band in the flesh was unforgettable. Opening with ‘Memento Mori’, it was the perfect slow-burn-to-ohmygodgetouttamyway anthem to get everyone revved up for the set to come. It’s no wonder LOG have held their iconic status for as long as they have. You can see the impact of their music especially during songs like ‘Redneck’ and ‘Laid to Rest’ - the fans are completely enveloped in it, screaming their hearts out. The photographers had to leave the pit early from the abundance of crowd-surfers, multiple walking away with blood-covered faces but big, bright smiles. Absolutely unreal.
The only thing disturbing about the Disturbed set was that it had taken me this long to see them. It was a bucket list moment getting to scream along to ‘Down with the Sickness’ after years of headbanging to it at countless house parties. Lead singer David Draiman knows his legendary status and played into that power on stage. The entire band commanded the crowd, with bassist John Moyer thrashing around his staple dreads and guitarist Dan Donegan simultaneously having the time of his life whilst taking his skills very seriously. The crowd kept the energy high, continuing to float atop the mosh and pile over the barricade. ‘Stricken’ and ‘Indestructible’ were highlights, no doubt!
Not too quick to rush into the headliner, a giant curtain was draped in front of the stage with big, red letters displaying PANTERA. A slow build to get that anticipation at it’s peak, there were fans gearing up to go absolutely feral. One in particular threw his shirt to the dust and headbanged in preparation. When the curtain dropped, it was as wild as you could imagine. Pantera unleashed an electrifying and commanding performance, delivering a storm of anthems like ‘Mouth for War,’ ‘Strength Beyond Strength,’ and ‘A New Level.’ With an insane stage presence, each member commanded attention, from Phil Anselmo's powerful vocals to Dimebag Darrell's blistering guitar solos. Classics like ‘Walk,’ ‘This Love,’ and ‘Cowboys From Hell’ ignited the crowd. This was definitely the moment everyone had been waiting for, and it did not disappoint. Closing with ‘Fucking Hostile,’ Pantera left a permanent mark, showcasing their mastery and solidifying their place in metal history.
KNOTFEST Sydney was more than just a music festival – it was a transformative experience that left a lasting impression on every person in the crowd. From the unforgettable performances to the animated atmosphere to the sense of community that filled every corner, it was a celebration of everything that makes metal music so powerful and eternally enduring.
