Agnostic Front – Still Hard To The Core

Agnostic Front
w/Coldside, Rhythm of Fear, and The Lower Orders
Live at The Boondocks
Saturday, May 21, Melbourne, FL

Agnostic Front are hardcore. From it’s inception and through all it’s mutation’s and cross-breedings with other musical stylings, they are the undisputed godfathers of New York hardcore. And as they rapidly approach their 4rth decade, they show no signs of slowing down or mellowing.
With one unrelentingly brutal song after another, Agnostic Front served up a 80 minute merciless and uncompromising hardcore punk. “Friend or Foe,” “For My Family,” and “Crucified” were all positively combustible. But when guitarist Vinnie Stigma took the mic to sing lead on “Power,” the audience went mental. Animated and agitated, Stigma threw himself headlong into the moment. “Gotta Go” was another fan favorite and audience sing-along.
Miret announced the final song of the night and dedicated it to The Ramones, saying “Without them, none of us would be here.” The band launched into a tough reading of “Blitzkrieg Bop.” .
Coldside delivered the best set I’ve seen to date. Solid and brawny, their set was a proper dust up. The roadwork has paid off as the band has tightened up their sound and show. Their style of Southern hardcore is a great mix of burly riffs and tough rhythms, making them truly unforgettable.
Rhythm of Fear from Jacksonville, delivered a set of solid thrash metal that made me want to hear more from this promising band. Dark and fast, they delivered an intense show.
I missed the lower Order, but really dug their EP. Street punk and two showers away from being crusty, this is the real deal. Like a punch drunk fighter who doesn’t know how to quit, this seems to be a band to watch.