Kublai Khan TX Brings Down Hobart's Uni Bar in a Night of Hardcore Mayhem with Severed, Guilt Trip, and Terror
Hobart's Uni Bar was transformed into a chaotic haven for hardcore and metalcore fans as Kublai Khan TX descended upon Hobart, supported by Severed, Guilt Trip, and Terror. The energy in the room was palpable from the moment the doors opened, setting the stage for a night of raw, unfiltered aggression.
Severed kicked off the evening with a ferocious performance that immediately grabbed the crowd’s attention. While some of those in attendance might not have known exactly who Severed were, they certainly did after their set. Their tight, crushing riffs and relentless drumming set a solid foundation for the night. While their set was brief, it was more than enough to warm up the crowd and get the mosh pit churning for more.
Next up was Guilt Trip, hailing from Manchester, UK, and they took Hobart by storm. Their blend of beatdown hardcore with metallic influences brought an old school edge to the night. The band wasted no time in laying down some of the most brutal breakdowns of the night, with the crowd responding in kind. Guilt Trip’s performance was intense, their sound reverberating through the venue and shaking the walls. With tracks like “Thin Ice” and “Sweet Dreams” hitting particularly hard, Guilt Trip’s Machine Head-esque sound really resonated with those in attendance. Guilt Trip could leave Tassie proud knowing they’d gained a whole new cohort of fans.
By the time Terror hit the stage, the crowd was already fired up, but the energy went through the roof as the hardcore legends from Los Angeles unleashed their fury. Terry set off on a masterclass of hardcore, deliverine huge anthems such as “Keepers of the Faith” and “Pain Into Power” Security was certainly put to work, as crowd surfers galore hit the stage. Frontman Scott Vogel’s stage presence was as commanding as ever, engaging the crowd with every word. The pit was as manic as the Uni Bar had ever seen with fans of all ages coming together in the spirit of unity and aggression. Terror’s performance was a reminder of why they’ve remained a cornerstone of the hardcore scene for over two decades.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived as Kublai Khan TX took the stage. The Texas heavyweights did not disappoint, launching into their set with the crushing force that has made them a staple in modern metalcore. Opening with "Theory of Mind", the band set the tone for a punishing setlist. Vocalist, Matt Honeycutt showed his appreciate for the Hobart crowd, telling his story of his small town upbringings, which only brought the crowd closer to him, Matt’s vocals were nothing short of monstrous, they whipped through the setlist in record pace, with tracks such as “Boomslang” and new heavy hitter “Supreme Ruler”. Kubali's breakdowns hit like a sledgehammer. The band delivered a massive performance across the board, tight as it was brutal. The energy in the room was electric, with the Tassie crowd really showing out. Kublai Khan TX’s set was a relentless barrage of aggression, and as the set came to an end, and Matt urged the crowd to “Break out the fine China” a huge night of hardcore was coming to an end.
The lineup of Severed, Guilt Trip, Terror, and Kublai Khan TX had delivered an unforgettable night of hardcore and metalcore, each band bringing their unique flavour to the mix while maintaining a unified intensity. For those in attendance, it was a night that will be remembered as one of Hobart’s most intense and memorable shows of the year and is a testament to Tassie’s hardcore scene, which is still alive and kicking.