Live Review: Terror - Project House, Leeds
18th December 2024
Support: Nasty, Combust, Headbussa
Words & Photos: Martin Hingley
After a brief interval, it’s time for New Yorkers Combust to take the stage. Sporting a puffer coat, lead vocalist Andrew Vacante wastes no time commanding the crowd to get moving; and they oblige, with more pits erupting. Blending punk rock-style lyrics with thrash-metal guitars, Combust delivers a slightly different flavour of hardcore that works brilliantly. Fans scream along to the songs, with Andrew frequently coming down to the barrier to sing alongside them. Some even grab the mic, enthusiastically belting out lyrics with the band. Similar to Headbussa, the band takes a moment to celebrate the hardcore movement and encourage fans to support their bands while “sticking it to the man,” before storming into standout tracks like “Tigers and Rats” and “Devil in Me.” With their high-energy stage presence, they leave the crowd buzzing.
After a 20-minute interlude of pop music, Nasty takes the stage, maintaining the energy Combust built up. Celebrating 20 years in the hardcore scene, the band proves their staying power with a mix of blisteringly fast riffs and crushing breakdowns. Guitarist Matthias Tarnath looms at the edge of the stage, playing his seven-string guitar as fans scream lyrics back and crowd surfers begin spilling over the barrier. Meanwhile, vocalist Patrick Gajdik’s guttural growls cut through the chaos as he invites fans at the barrier to join in. It’s clear that many in the audience are here specifically for Nasty, and their set cranks up the night’s intensity, foreshadowing the chaos that Terror are about to unleash in this small venue.
The intensity reaches its peak when Terror takes the stage. Frontman Scott Vogel immediately commands the crowd to take three steps forward, and fans eagerly comply. Within moments, a wave of crowd surfers floods the barrier, many diving straight back into the pit, others joining the band on stage for some hardcore two-stepping. As the thrashy riffs of “One With the Underdogs” kick in, it’s clear this band thrives on live performance. Each member radiates stage presence, with bassist Chris Linkovich channelling Robert Trujillo vibes at the side of the stage, delivering thunderous riffs and energetic backing vocals while stomping and performing high kicks. Drummer Nick Jett is equally dynamic, frequently standing up between songs and throwing his arms in the air to pump up the crowd further.
Photo credits: Martin Hingley
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