Biohazard @ The Owl Sanctuary

1994 was a long time ago. MTV ruled the waves with shows like Headbanger’s Ball, everyone and his wife had an under-cut hairstyle and Brooklyn’s finest hardcore/metal band Biohazard came all the way across the pond to play an extremely intimate gig in front of a packed out Oval Rock House in Norwich. It was one of those gigs where you were either there or you weren’t, and if you weren’t, well tough shit; because that kind of thing happens once in a lifetime. Or does it? Skip forward 21 years, MTV are more interested in the contents of rich people’s fridges, my bald bits are now on the top of my head, and the Oval now does two-for-one pub meals. Apparently though, history does sometimes repeat itself; because last weekend, Biohazard returned to the fine city of Norwich; this time playing at Norwich’s finest independent DIY venue, the Owl Sanctuary.First up on the bill were local tech-metal precisionists Agonyst. Fast, aggressive, and with more shredding than a CIA records depot, Agonyst deliver a complex sound, but in a surprisingly accessible and often humorous way. It was a short but virtuoso performance that left other musicians present weeping in the audience. Seriously, they were. I saw them. Next up, it was time to get down and dirty with Hull based sludge metal doom weavers, Mastiff, who excelled at taking ’heavy-as-fuck’ to a previously unknown level. Not content with the distance between the still-early crowd and the front of the stage, they took over the front of the floor as well, daring the audience to join in whilst delivering a visceral, vitriolic performance that left me very impressed. Chunky, not clunky, I loved it.Last up before the main band were another local band, Back Down or Die. I’m ashamed to say that this is the first time I’ve gotten around to checking them out live, but I can definitely see what the fucking fuss was all about. They do hardcore about as well as anyone I’ve ever heard; intense, infectious riffs, drums so tight you couldn’t slide a Rizla between them and catchy, shout-a-long lyrics expertly spat at a crowd who, judging by what they were giving back, were clearly getting what they wanted. Trust me; this is a local band that won’t stay local for long.Finally, it was time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for – Biohazard, who, from the opening guitar chords immediately start to tear it up with a passion and energy that clearly hasn’t relented over the past two decades. Some bands with a career history half as long as Biohazard, might be a bit precious about playing a reasonably small 150 person venue, but not Biohazard. Gracious, committed and motivated; it was obvious that they love this shit, and they make it clear that for them it’s all about keeping it real, keeping the scene alive, and having fun. Biohazard, like their name, were infectious. They threw tune after tune at the whirling, sweaty mess of a crowd and, coupled with an impromptu slow-mo circle pit demonstration courtesy of frontman Billy Graziadei, it was impossible not to get involved despite the heat. By the time we got to hear their finale classic Punishment, I smelt like a mass grave, but felt like I’d been part of something special. Massive respect to the bands for playing, massive respect to the crowd for playing along, and finally, massive respect to Dan and everyone at the Owl Sanctuary for putting on a blinding night. 10/10