Live Review: Biohazard - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
15th August 2023
Support: Upraised, Raging Speedhorn
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
Its more than a decade since Evan Seinfeld last played in Biohazard, and after a long hiatus he returned to the fold late last year with a string of dates announced worldwide. The band went down a storm as the closing act of this years Bloodstock Festival just days prior to this evening, but it’s a dedicated Biohazard show that really gets the blood pumping.
As we head into KK’s Steel Mill for this evening, the anticipation for the show is high, and along for the ride are local hardcore outfit Upraised and Corby bruisers Raging Speedhorn.
As the venue starts to fill Upraised take to the stage. The young and energetic five piece get the crowd going early on. Their brand of out and out hardcore perfectly suited to tonights headliners and the crowd lap it up. They may be little known to many of us but that has changed this evening.
Now Raging Speedhorn have had one hell of a day, and not in a good way, the fact that they even made tonight’s show is a miracle unto itself. Their stand-in bassist pulled out of the tour with literally no notice at the start of the day, leaving the band in the lurch, but add to that the big man Frank being hospitalised, leaving them up the creek without a paddle.
But despite this the show must go on with guitarist Daf switching to bass and Dan covering both vocal parts tonight. As the now four piece enter the stage Dan explains the situation and they kick off with ‘The Hate Song’.
As with any Speedhorn show there is a frenzy of activity, Dan is on the barrier, shoving the mic down a fans throat as said fan duly obliges helping out with Frank’s vocal parts. ‘Motorhead’ and ‘Redweed’ finish off the opening salvo of the bands show, with Danny of Biohazard watching on the from side of stage.
The sound does lack the bands normal depth with the absence of a second guitar, but Jim steers the ship admirably, and lets be honest, who gives a shit about the depth of sound when you’re pitting like a motherfucker along to ‘Voodoo Man’, 'Hard To Kill’ and ‘Superscud’.
What could have been a nightmare performance for the lads, turned into a triumphant success. Whilst playing as a four piece is never ideal, they soldiered on and produced a show that fans can look back on as an “I was there when Speedhorn played as a four piece” moment.
The moment the lights dimmed, and the opening chords of ‘Urban Discipline’ reverberated through the venue, the crowd erupted into a frenzy. Biohazard's classic lineup, comprising Evan Seinfeld, Billy Graziadei, Danny Schuler, and Bobby Hambel, commanded the stage with an authority that only decades of musical camaraderie could provide.
With a seamless transition between each track, the setlist was a relentless barrage of raw emotion and power. ‘Shades of Grey’ and ‘Tales From the Hard Side’ resonated with a gritty authenticity, reminding everyone of the band's indelible impact on the crossover genre. The interplay between Evan Seinfeld and Billy Graziadei's vocals was as dynamic as ever, as if they’d never spent time apart.
As the set progressed, the classics flowed like a force of nature. ‘Wrong Side of the Tracks’ had the entire crowd shouting in unison, while the blistering riffs of ‘Black and White and Red All Over’ and ‘Howard Beachideo’ ignited mosh pits that spread like wildfire. The inclusion of the Bad Religion cover, ‘We're Only Gonna Die’, showcased Biohazard's ability to reinterpret punk anthems with their signature hardcore edge.
‘Retribution’ and ‘Love Denied’ demonstrated the band's range, with moments of vulnerability juxtaposed against moments of sheer aggression. The thunderous rhythm section of Danny Schuler and Evan Seinfeld formed the backbone of their iconic sound, and Bobby Hambel's guitar solos were electrifying bursts of energy.
As the night drew to a close, the crowd's energy showed no sign of waning. The encore, featuring ‘Punishment’ and ‘Hold My Own’, had the audience pouring every ounce of energy into the final moments of the show. The classic lineup had delivered an unforgettable performance that paid homage to their roots while igniting a new fire in the hearts of fans, both old and new.
In the end, the night was a testament to Biohazard's enduring legacy in the world of hardcore and crossover music. The classic lineup had proven once again that their music possesses a timeless potency, transcending eras and uniting generations under the banner of unapologetic, no-holds-barred music.
Photo credits: Tim Finch Photography
