Live review from Wacken Open Air Warm Up party HONG KONG 香港:
1. 半途
2. 一息
3. 萬念俱灰殺掉我
4. 籠牢之內
5. Voices
6. 人生戰爭
Ink Inferno waste no time, blasting out of the gate with 半途 and immediately demanding a circle pit. Channelling a sound that’s seriously heavy, blunt and physical,一息 follows: a groovy, video‑game‑style intro rolls out, all bouncy beat and tinging cymbals before it locks into a thick riff. Barked vocals cut across mulleted Kwan’s punchy bass runs, which drive the track forward and keeps the floor bouncing.
On 籠牢之內, militaristic drum rolls kick through ringing feedback to create a chaotic circus of sound. 優 delivers unhinged screaming as all members turn inward, facing Henry at the kit and letting the drums steer.
Before “Voices”, the band pause to pay tribute to their original singer on his birthday, urging the crowd to watch their YouTube videos so they can get paid. The song itself drags things into heavier ground, with leaden rhythms that edge close to sluggish, while 優 switches smoothly between clean and screams. As guitars pick out a clunky melody, the bass sits squarely on rhythm. Ink Inferno lacks the technical sharpness of openers AsuraBaby yet bring a heaviness the room seems to need.
They close with 人生戰爭 (Life is like war) says as the lights prematurely come up. 優 drops into a squat for the soft section, then springs upright for the scream. Henry’s drums pound through a muddy bass mix, synths running underneath then everyone claps during the bridge. A chugging build leads to a final scream, synth and riff colliding. Kwan taps out a solo to adulation from the crowd. Cymbals and snares lash like whips. The vocal wavers at points, fighting an inclement mix, but the room moves together anyway, rolling with the drums to a finale.
-El Jay
Live review from 21st Anniversary Festival Day 2:
1. 半途
2. 一息
3. 寵牢之內
4. 萬念俱灰殺掉你
5. Voices
6. 人生戰爭
Ink Inferno is a band whose confidence in their abilities gives them the impression of a much more seasoned act. Kingto, the singer, seems confident and is able to build up hype with the crowd. The band is just as talented, with a standout moment of the set being a solo by Kwan, the bassist. The audience clearly had a great time, headbanging enthusiastically to every song. Kingto’s voice is strong, whether he’s screaming or not. While some songs end abruptly, the energy is immediately picked back up by the next track. They’re a great band to mosh to, and definitely one to keep an eye on for future shows. Special mention to Don on guitar for gently coaxing the history of The Underground out of Chris B before the start of their set.
-Ash B
