LIVE REVIEW: Phazed Out @ The Grove, Newcastle (04.05.25)

Taken over a full day, and moved from its original two location venue to one, Bank Holiday Sunday’s Phazed Out is a boon for local hardcore punk enthusiasts.
It’s Proper Fucked and Gylt who open up today’s show; slightly unlucky in the fact that’s there’s both a grill and a Newcastle match happening during their performance time slots, but both acts still maintain an intense show with solid guitar riffs and edgy delivery. They also provide a solid grounding for Tarmac‘s three-piece onslaught, which delivers hard with considerable musicality and, at times, a sound bordering on post-punk deep grooves and basslines. By this point it’s just after five and the crowd is starting to swell. Grief Ritual are up next, easily the most intense and heaviest act so far. Taking tracks from their recent debut album Collapse, their set launches the evening out into a hard rock and metal core spheres, with the band building their set around strong riff-heavy deliveries which then punctuate into short bursts of intense releases. Frontman Jamie Waggett and bassist Dave Marcovecchio, in particular, deserve specific praise for the relentless energy and intense performances.
A short change-over brings Bristol’s five-piece Overpower up next, complete with their frontman in chainmail attire. Overpower are a joy to watch with their constant wide-smiles and comedic asides. Blazing with riff heavy moments, and upbeat punky/funky basslines, they deliver an incredible set complete with furious metal lead guitar work. Big Pain stands out in a set absolutely filled with incredible energy and joy – they’re excellent.
Germany’s Peace of Mind take up main support at around 8pm, blazing out with a deeper metal and metalcore sound. Prodigal Son stands out in a set filled with guitar dissonance, at times, in the style of RATM. Encouraging the crowd to jump, dance and chant, they’re the perfect warm up for New York’s premier hardcore punk outfit Agnostic Front who burst on to the stage at bang on 9pm. Relentless from the word go and strong from their opening bassline, frontman Roger Miret is on exceptional form, particularly given his recent health issues. How 60 year old punks can still perform at this intensity is beyond impressive, with both him and founding guitarist Vinnie Stigma acting like men half their age as they jump, stamp and perform with impressive intensity. And whilst the original members might take the visual glory credit also to bassist Mike Galo, rhythm guitarist Craig Silverman and drummer Danny Lamagna, whose intense playing and exceptional backing vocals ground the show in thunderous musicality. Delivered across circa twenty songs (including classics Gotta Go, My Life My Way and Old New York) Agnostic Front’s hour-long set really is as good as you can get; a masterclass in aggressive music, intense performance and mercenary belief in PMA and community.
Phazed Out provided not just a chance for New York’s finest to come up North, but also an opportunity for the North’s finest to show their respects to both the bands and the movement.