KNOCKED LOOSE

THE BLUE ROOM, LOUISVILLE, KY

The idea of witnessing a band like Knocked Loose forced to play without the, with frontman Bryan Garris still intent on jumping across every inch of the stage. The set is dominated by 2019’s more experimental , which lends itself to the moodier surroundings and visuals on the giant screen flanking them. But for all the frills and effort gone into the presentation, this is ultimately a showpiece for the band’s white-hot hardcore assault. The abundance of caustic riffs and juddering beatdowns make their presence felt even through tiny laptop speakers, with Bryan and Isaac Hale trading larynx-shredding screams and ugly growls through and . With Code Orange upping the stakes in terms of production values, don’t be too surprised if this juxtaposition between neat presentation and blue-collar hardcore continues post-lockdown.