Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)

WINDWAKER HYPERVIOLENCE Tour w/ Thousand Below (US), Diamond Construct, Headwreck
Adelaide UniBar, South Australia
February 6th 2025

In an age where digital distortion and genre blending has started to weave it’s way into metalcore, numerous bands are starting to embrace these stylistic developments with open arms. One of those is Melbourne’s Windwaker. Packing out the Adelaide UniBar on Thursday night, which is no mean feat according to the locals, an enthusiastic audience got in early to catch this high energy lineup.

Opening up the show was Brisbane’s Headwreck. Straight off dropping one of the freshest single’s of the new year, the outfit burst onto the stage with an intensity beyond the crowds expectation. Embracing the conventions of nu-metal, blended with that modern modulated metalcore ferocity- they wasted no time getting the room moving. Their laidback personalities onstage enhanced the energy of their music, showing that not only are these guys a band to keep an eye on- but a band you actually want to see winning. Sealing the deal with a sample/cover of 50 Cent’s ‘In Da Club’, everybody in that room was having a good time. The perfect pick as openers for this tour, their set felt over way too quickly but it was clear there were some new fans recruited- this reviewer included.

In what has not been a long time between dances, the Adelaide punters welcomed back Diamond Construct with open arms. Mesmerising in his bedazzled tracksuit, sparking envy amongst all those with stellar taste, frontman Kynan kept a strong grip on the crowd from the jump. This band just goes from strength to strength, with every appearance more polished and tight from the last. Hitting us with a setlist rich with songs from their latest release, Angel Killer Zero as well as some crowd favourites like ‘Psychosis’, one thing that is always certain with this band is that you are going to have a good time. Calling out an enthusiastic mosher in a Banana shirt, the band inspired those in the pit and surrounds to really move. Finishing off with their absolute classic, ‘Hit It Back‘, it is evident that this band is truly stepping into their potential.

International guests Thousand Below were up next, being an obvious draw in this now full and sweltering room. The post-hardcore mainstays from San Diego deliver their own brand of core music that while has pop sensibilities, does not compromise too much on the heavy. As somebody who is not overly familiar with the band, I was instantly impressed by the vocal ability of frontman James Deberg. His effortlessly switching between sounds and styles was mind blowing, and immediately made me understand their appeal. As the powered through their set, opening up with ‘Shake’, they did not waste time getting through their nine tracks. They had the crowd singing along, while also taking those breakdowns to heart. Leaving an overall solid impression and a those in attendance wishing for a little more, they closed out the set with the gut-wrenching ‘Sabotage’. With that reception, there is no doubt that the Adelaide fans would love for them to return sometime soon.

Now, for the main event.

Blasting Creed’s ‘One Last Breath’ through the speakers, immediately the fans put up what they were putting down. A solid belting session happened throughout the room, as the stragglers outside rushed to join the sweaty contingent. Hitting the stage in style, the lads from Melbourne opened with the sultry pop-infused banger ‘Infinity’. The sing-a-long continued and nobody was able to stand still.  As they continued into ‘Tabula Rasa’– the vibe of the room only intensified.

With the ‘W’s’ in the air and pits opening up, the force of Windwaker was undeniable. After last seeing them as openers for Enter Shikari back in 2022 and seeing that special spark they carried with them, it’s so exciting to see how they’ve been able to develop as a band. As they dipped into a couple of oldies, but ultimately showcased their latest album in the classiest way- an hour disappeared. Unfortunately, as the band approached the end of the show, disaster struck. Standing at the back, over the one more song chants, the sound engineers could be heard panicking.

That’s right. Windwaker blew the sound system- but the crowd’s spirits could not be dampened. Instead, the audience inspired an acapella performance of ‘Sirens’– complete with a circle pit.

While it was an unfortunate end to what was an absolutely epic show, it was a true testament to the love that Adelaide has for this homegrown act.

We will be waiting with bated breath for the next tour.