REVIEW: Boundaries, Orthodox, Kaonashi, No Cure at The Meadows | 06.05.2024
Connecticut Metalcore outfit Boundaries just wrapped their first-ever headlining tour with Orthodox, Kaonashi, and No Cure. Dubbed the “Death Is Little More” tour after their recently released and critically praised album, the bands' antepenultimate performance took place at The Meadows in Brooklyn last Thursday in front of a sold-out crowd.
When it comes to blowing off some steam, hardcore shows never disappoint. The pit was full of spin kicks, goose stepping, and some good ol' fashioned moshing. I noticed a fan taking a break at the bar at one point just so he could stop his nose from bleeding; the smile hidden beneath a bunch of tissues indicated he knew what he'd signed up for. A few minutes later, he was right back in it.
Knowing the risks, I chose to steer clear of the pit. I got close, but not too close. I had my camera gear to protect after all, and myself to a lesser degree. But no matter your proximity to the pit, it was impossible not to feel the energy that spun within it. And no matter who was on stage, you couldn't help but feel the heaviness ringing through their amps.
This was definitely one of my top shows of the year thus far.
And with that, let's get to it:
NO CURE
Wasting no time in bringing the crowd energy to a fever pitch, No Cure were determined to tear the house down from the very start; and tear it down they did. The band laid the foundation for the night of chaos and riffage that was ahead, with songs like "No Cure Straight Edge Die Slow Fuck You" stirring the pit into a frenzy.
KAONASHI
“Can we turn the lights all the way off?” requested Kaonashi vocalist Peter Rono, the room darkening to a handful of lights on the stage. Then in came the first song, and the lights blasted and strobed in concert with the insanity unleashed by the band. Suddenly, there were people flying everywhere.
When the viral hook from their song “I Hate the Sound of Car Keys” hit, the whole room went bonkers. Kaonashi ended their set with a singalong of the lyrics “my guilt, my fear, my shame – take it all away”, playing "Exit Pt. V" while the crowd chanted and moshed into oblivion.
ORTHODOX
The party atmosphere of Kaonashi’s set gave way to a dark wave of brutality by way of Orthodox. Playing one of the wildest sets of the night, Orthodox refused to ask and instead demanded the entire crowd's participation.
“Got a score to settle? Here’s your shot motherfuckers!" said vocalist Adam Easterling as he hyped up the crowd before the band played "The Anticipation." The room split into two giant mosh pits that were launching crowd surfers and catching stage divers, leaving fans catching their breath once the band left it all on the stage.
BOUNDARIES
It felt like energy in the room could not get more insane after Orthodox’s set, but Boundaries raised a sky high bar to the outer reaches of the cosmos when they turned The Meadows into absolute chaos with their performance.
Boundaries' setlist showcased the band's new material and rewarded longtime fans with plenty of back catalogue classics. Vocalist Matt McDougal's stage diving encouragement prior to playing "Get Out" led to fans rushing of the stage World War Z-style to create a mountain of metalheads on and around him.
After Boundaries took a bow and thanked the crowd, the fans refused to let the band leave the stage without playing just one more song. The band was happy to oblige and brought the night to a definitive close with "Reign of Pain."
Epic, epic night.