Death From Above 1979 are the kind of band that sound like they’ve been welded together in some sweaty basement laboratory: a brutal collision of noise punk, dance punk, and DIY chaos. Tonight at Sydney’s Metro Theatre, they’re finally back on Australian shores after nearly 14 years — and the air is thick with anticipation.
Before the Canadian duo even hit the stage, the crowd is already whipped into a seething, sweaty frenzy by DZ Deathrays. If there’s a band made for this kind of high-stakes opener, it’s them. Over a decade into their career, the Brisbane trio tear through the Metro like a runaway freight train, armed with razor-sharp riffs and enough sonic force to rattle the walls. Tracks from their latest album R.I.F.F. hit especially hard.
When Death From Above 1979 finally explode onto the stage, it’s like lighting a match in a room full of petrol fumes. They waste no time unleashing their raw, relentless assault — searing guitars, punishing drums, and vocals that sound less sung than exorcised. It’s a feral energy that possesses the room.
Fourteen years was far too long a wait, but tonight, Death From Above 1979 don’t just make up for lost time — they obliterate it. In a world that often feels too polished, too safe, they remind Sydney exactly how vital real chaos still is.
Images Deb Pelser
