Our 20th Year Anniversary Series concluded with an amazing eighth show! It was fantastic to be back at Wave Music. Thanks to Addy for his support of Underground; he made all three bands sound fantastic. Thanks to Steven for assisting Addy with the sound. Thank you to the three bands who performed and shared their songs with a captivated audience. Thank you to everyone who turned up. Special thanks to Aaron Michelson, Edwin & White Wall Studios for the photos and Sherman Leung for the reviews. A big thanks to Raven, our wonderful doorperson. Lastly, thank you to Christy, who spent hours creating the incredible show poster.
我哋嘅20周年慶系列繼續進行，今次嘅第八！ 可以番到浪潮音樂工作室表演真係超開心。多謝Addy對我哋The Underground嘅支持，佢令三支樂隊嘅聲音聽落都一流！仲要多謝Steven從中協助Addy。感謝三支樂隊為著迷嘅觀眾帶黎佢哋嘅歌曲！都感謝每一位黎睇表演嘅朋友，同埋嗰啲我哋冇辦法不得不拒之門外嘅人。再特別感謝Aaron Michelson、Edwin及White Wall Studios提供嘅相片。仲有Sherman Leung寫嘅評論。特別感謝我哋嘅門衛Raven，佢真係好厲害！最後，多謝Christy用左好耐設計出今次呢張型爆嘅演出海報！
❤️ Chris B xx

LABEFACTION

1. Freedom Withdrawal
2. Restless Paradox
3. Shadow In The Dark
4. Over Now
5. My Way (Limp Bizkit)
6. No Way
7. Free Run

It’s a chilly winter’s day leading up to Christmas and gig goers in puffer jackets are filing into the cozy Wave Music Studio in Kwun Tong, a tucked away hidden gem that’s easy to overlook if you don’t know where to go (I didn’t). With the intimate size and vibrant energy, the first band Labefaction hit the stage with an introduction that couldn’t have been more abrupt – one second the room was silent and dark, the next, the lights snapped to life in a wash of fiery red, and the air was filled with the raw, powerful roar of three guitars and a heavy bass. The opener to Freedom Withdrawal, a RATM inspired rap-metal track had verses of crazy guitar effects while the powerful groove had a few early movers dancing. By the chorus, most of the crowd was in sync, bodies swaying and heads banging to the intense rhythm. The band’s raw energy and tight performance quickly won over the room, setting the tone for a high-octane set. The second song, Restless Paradox, featured catchy call-and-answer verses and strong, dry vocals that didn’t need reverb to make an impact. The guitarist joined in on gang vocal melodies, adding to the energy. However, there was an awkward silence between this track and the next, disrupting the flow momentarily.

The third song, Shadow In The Dark, was a rock ballad that leaned heavily on its intense instrumental melodies, though at times the powerful instrumentals overshadowed the vocals. Despite this, the vocalist gave it his all, pouring raw emotion into every line. The following track, Over Now, shifted gears entirely with a grungy vibe reminiscent of The Smashing Pumpkins. It stood out as one of the more distinct pieces of the night, offering the audience a breather from the high-energy performances that preceded it. The vocalist maintained a laser-sharp focus, and after the song, he broke the intensity with some engaging crowd work, introducing the band and warmly inviting fans to visit their band room—a thoughtful touch that deepened the connection with the crowd.

The vocalist amped up the energy by calling for a circle pit, even though the venue was on the smaller side, setting the stage for their cover of Limp Bizkit’s My Way. The guitarist channeled Tom Morello vibes with turntable scratch sounds on his guitar, while a gnarly bass effect and what looked like an arsenal of high-end pedals added a unique texture. Not everyone in the crowd knew the cover, but they were into it regardless. Following that, No Way got the crowd jumping, with melodic guitars that brought Soundgarden to mind and a drummer who made intricate beats seem effortless. The momentum kept building with Free Run, a high-energy track reminiscent of Avenged Sevenfold, which had the entire crowd swaying along.

Labefaction closed out their set with the confidence and finesse of seasoned professionals, showcasing a refined sound that speaks to their experience and dedication. While their on-stage banter was minimal, their ability to connect with the crowd through their music was undeniable. Every note, beat, and lyric felt intentional, drawing the audience in and holding them captive until the very last chord. It’s clear that Labefaction doesn’t just play music—they embody it, leaving a lasting impression long after the final song.
– Sherman Leung

OZMIUM

1. Thrash Em
2. ⁠Operation Blue Steal
3. ⁠Derail
4. ⁠Peace was never an option
5. ⁠unholy redeemer
6. ⁠first world enemies
7. ⁠lion rises
8. Seek and Destroy (Metallica)

Making their debut at The Underground, OzMium brought the energy and polish of a seasoned band, captivating the crowd with a raw, no-frills approach to metal. With minimal instrument effects compared to their predecessors, they let their musicianship and stage presence do the talking.

The night kicked off with Thrash Em, a song that opened with a melodic, doom-laden intro before launching into a Metallica-esque thrashy riff. The crowd didn’t take long to respond—mosh pits broke out, horns went up for the searing guitar solo, and the vocalist’s impressive growls commanded attention. Following this, Operation Blue Steal turned up the volume with its loud and thrashy sound. A killer lead hook had the crowd headbanging in perfect unison, and the solo whipped the mosh pit into a frenzy. Meanwhile, the bassist stole the spotlight with his wild headbanging and animated expressions, adding a dose of chaos to the mix.

The third song, Derail, slowed things down just enough to showcase the band’s charisma. The vocalist introduced bassist Simon, who flexed his skills with some flashy solo licks, before leading the crowd with rowdy chants of “oi!” The track’s fun groove and shouty, catchy chorus got everyone moving, and the vocalist’s James Hetfield-like growls added a familiar yet powerful edge.
OzMium then showcased their dynamic range with Peace Was Never an Option. Drummer Gary was introduced with a lengthy drum solo, setting the stage for an Arabian-inspired lead melody and intricate riff runs. The band’s tight coordination shone through as the bassist focused intently on the busy composition, keeping the song grounded amidst its complexity.

Unholy Redeemer brought a creepy, horror B-movie vibe to the set with its eerie intro and discordant riffs. The track ramped up to a thrashy pace, and the crowd swayed along to its groovy chorus as the band demonstrated their impressive synchronicity. By the time they hit First World Enemies, the energy was at an all-time high. The vocalist’s electrifying scream punctuated the song’s thrash-heavy sections, even when technical issues cut out the lead guitar halfway through. Undeterred, the band powered on, with the drummer seemingly conducting the crowd’s headbanging from his elevated perch.

The penultimate song, Lion Rises, paid homage to Iron Maiden with a galloping beat and soaring dual guitar solos. The repaired guitar added extra flair, and the crowd responded with raised horns, fully immersed in the energy of the finale.

OzMium closed their set with a thunderous cover of Metallica’s Seek and Destroy. Familiar with every riff and beat, the band played with precision and passion, earning a roar of approval from the crowd. The lead guitarist nailed the iconic solo, and as the final notes faded, the venue erupted into cheers. OzMium’s debut at The Underground was nothing short of triumphant, leaving no doubt that they’re a force to be reckoned with on the metal scene.
– Sherman Leung

FIGHTXCLUB

1. Mineral (Pallisades)
2. Justice
3. Train
4. This is what I want
5. Black Sheep
6. Undefeated
7. Steadfast
8. 1st Rule

FightxClub at The Underground: A Hardcore Finale to Remember

Closing out the night with explosive energy, FightxClub brought their brand of hardcore punk to The Underground. The excitement began even before they played a note, as the guitarist set up his Hello Kitty-themed guitar, drawing laughs and cheers from the crowd. Despite being introduced as a metalcore band, their hardcore punk sound quickly took over the room, amplified by the loyal fans who were ready to throw down.

Starting strong, FightxClub opened with a cover of Pallisades’ Mineral. The crowd immediately recognized the iconic intro, and within minutes, two-steppers were grooving despite the venue’s cramped space. Unfortunately, the Hello Kitty guitar faced some technical issues, but the band powered through unfazed.

The second track, Justice, roared to life with a fierce intro and showcased the commanding presence of the vocalist. His energy was infectious as he hyped up the crowd, who enthusiastically joined in for gang vocal “woah”s that filled the room.

Next came Train, a fan favourite with a solid beatdown groove that had the two-steppers going full throttle. Despite the venue’s limitations, the crowd didn’t hold back, creating a chaotic yet spirited mosh pit that embodied the hardcore scene.

This Is What I Want followed with its punky verses and thrashy breakdown, ramping up the intensity even further. By the time the band launched into Black Sheep, a blisteringly fast track, the pit expanded as more fans joined in the fray.

Undefeated turned the energy up to eleven. The vocalist’s repeated chants of “Undefeated!” became a rallying cry, uniting the crowd in a deafening chant. The mosh pit reached its peak, with even older audience members surprising everyone by jumping into the action.

The night’s emotional high came with Steadfast, a classic FightxClub song that had fans singing along to every word. As the chorus swelled, the scene turned unexpectedly heartwarming—fans hugged each other, sharing a moment of camaraderie amidst the chaos.

FightxClub ended their set with 1st Rule, a nod to their band name and a fitting conclusion to their high-energy performance. The track’s blistering pace opened the pit one last time, and by the end, the entire venue was a sweaty, exhilarated mess. Any memory of the chilly air outside had been replaced by the heat and adrenaline coursing through the crowd.

FightxClub’s performance was a relentless, no-holds-barred showcase of hardcore punk at its finest, leaving everyone in the room pumped and craving more. They might have been the last band of the night, but they ensured the evening ended on an unforgettable high.
-Sherman Leung

Photos by Aaron Michelson, Edwin & White Wall Studios.​
由Aaron Michelson、Edwin及White Wall Studios攝影​​。

Poster by​ Christy Yuen
​海報由​​​ Christy Yuen ​。