Photos By Drew Fulton
Sydney’s UNSW Roundhouse was turned into a swirling vortex of mayhem, laughter, and absolute bedlam last night as Alestorm and Nekrogoblikon stormed the stage with their signature brand of ridiculous, high-energy metal. With the local openers Livewire cranking the energy to an unreal level, this was a night to remember.
Livewire – An Unrelenting Force
From the moment Livewire hit the stage, it was clear they weren’t just there to warm up the crowd – they were there to obliterate it. Insanely jacked and oozing raw energy, the Sydney-based heavyweights brought a no-holds-barred intensity, throwing down monstrous riffs and thunderous beats that had the entire venue headbanging. Their commanding stage presence and ferocity ensured that by the time their set wrapped, the audience was already drenched in sweat and primed for the chaos to come.
Nekrogoblikon – Goblin Madness Unleashed
As the lights dimmed and the eerie intro of “Powercore” blasted through the speakers, Nekrogoblikon’s arrival was met with deafening cheers. And of course, no Nekrogoblikon show is complete without their mascot, the mischievous John Goblikon, who prowled the stage, hyping the crowd with his chaotic antics.
The band wasted no time launching into a set filled with their signature mix of technical precision and absolute silliness. “The Many Faces of Dr. Hubert Malbec” and “Dressed as Goblins” had fans chanting along, while the frantic energy of “We Need a Gimmick” turned the mosh pit into a swirling mass of bodies. Dickie Allen, delivering monstrous vocals, added an extra layer of brutality to the madness, proving that Nekrogoblikon’s live assault is as tight as it is ridiculous.
Among the biggest highlights for us in the Brew Crew were “The Magic Spider” and “This Is It,” both of which sent the crowd into a frenzy. The sheer energy and absurdity of these tracks made them standouts in an already unforgettable set. By the time they closed with the anthemic “This Is It,” there was no doubt: Nekrogoblikon had set the bar high for the night.
Alestorm – Sydney, Are You Ready to Party?!
Then came the main event – a tidal wave of pirate metal, rum-soaked anthems, and absolute anarchy. Alestorm stormed the stage with “Keelhauled,” immediately whipping the Roundhouse into a frenzy. The sea of bodies bounced in unison as Chris Bowes and crew delivered banger after banger, from the ever-rowdy “Shipwrecked” to the ridiculous singalong of “Hangover.”
Of course, no Alestorm show would be complete without some surprises, and this tour brought a particularly special guest: the phenomenal Patty Gurdy, whose hurdy-gurdy playing and stunning vocals added an extra layer of magic to the night. Her contributions to tracks elevated the performance, bringing a haunting folk-metal twist to the already bombastic show.
Newer tracks like “Voyage of the Dead Marauder” and “Big Ship Little Ship” were met with just as much enthusiasm as old-school classics, proving that Alestorm’s knack for party anthems hasn’t waned in the slightest. By the time the encore rolled around, with fan-favorites “Drink,” “Wooden Leg!,” and the utterly absurd “Fucked With an Anchor,” the crowd was hoarse from singing and thoroughly spent from dancing. And just when you thought it was over, they threw in “Rumpelkombo” for good measure, leaving Sydney in a sweaty, euphoric heap.
Final Verdict
This was not just a concert – it was a full-blown party. With Livewire bringing sheer force, Nekrogoblikon delivering goblin-fueled insanity, and Alestorm proving once again that they are the undisputed kings of pirate metal debauchery, the Roundhouse was transformed into a madhouse of unrelenting fun. If you missed this, you missed out on one of the most unhinged, joyously chaotic metal shows Sydney has seen in a long time.
10/10 – Would get shipwrecked again.
