Alpha Wolf | District 14 Narre Warren
A cold night in Narre Warren didn’t stop the metal faithful from packing out District 14 for what was an absolute monster of a lineup. From fresh blood to seasoned heavy hitters, this gig had everything you’d want from a metal show—and then some.
Photo Credit: Devanshu Damle
Kicking off the night was Melting, a fresh signing by Greyscale Records. These lads brought everything to the table—super high energy across the board and some of the filthiest guitar tones I’ve ever heard live. From the second they hit the stage, the room was moving, and you could feel that everyone there was in for a wild night. I now see why Greyscale was so keen to hop on board. They played everything from their recently released EP You Exist Because We Allow It, with tracks like “Salvation’s End” and “Purge” setting the tone for the night. For me and everyone else at the gig, it’s a headbanger the whole way through—definitely a band to keep your eyes on.
Up next was Zuko from Brisbane. If you’re like me, these 90s nu-metal/alt-metal inspired tracks are definitely something to get around. Even with some minor technical difficulties at the beginning of their set, they still came out swinging and didn’t let it slow them down for a second. Seeing this band on the grind over the past year has been beautiful to witness—their energy has only gotten tighter and more confident. Songs like “Ghost” and “Bite Down” really showed off their knack for catchy choruses and bruising riffs. I think I speak for everyone when I say we can’t wait for more from Zuko. Keep an eye out for these guys—they’re onto something special.
Photo Credit: Devanshu Damle
Final support for the night, coming all the way from the UK, was the metal powerhouse Malevolence. Their unique blend of hardcore and more traditional metal tastes will have you two-stepping one minute and singing your lungs out to their anthemic choruses the next. The mix was super punchy (shoutout to their sound guy). After seeing these guys back at the first Knotfest Australia, I knew I had to catch them again—and I was not disappointed. Some of the tightest grooves and most massive breakdowns coming out of the UK right now, with tracks like “On Broken Glass” and “Life Sentence” absolutely crushing the room. Malevolence are on another level.
Ending on a high note, it’s our boys in ALPHA WOLF. This was their final show for the tour, and you could tell from the first track that they weren’t leaving anything out on the road. The control that Lochie has over local crowds is unmatched, whipping up some of the most ravenous and chaotic pits I’ve seen at some of the state’s smallest venues. Tracks like “Akudama” and “Bring Back the Noise” had the crowd in a frenzy, while newer tracks off their 2024 album Half Living Things like “Sorrow is Love” and “Whenever You’re Ready” just took it to another level. ALPHA WOLF just keep levelling up—since seeing them a few years back at Sooki Lounge in Belgrave, they haven’t slowed down. They’ve kept the pace up, and with each tour, they’re setting new standards for themselves and the local heavy scene. It was as loud and as intense as you could want it—from front to back. It’s clear these boys have no intention of slowing down, and I’m here for every minute of it.
Photo Credit: Devanshu Damle
All in all, this night was a testament to just how strong the Aussie heavy scene is right now—and a reminder that bands like ALPHA WOLF are pushing things to new heights with every show. From the opening riff of Melting to the final roar of ALPHA WOLF, District 14 felt like a pressure cooker of energy and passion. Can’t wait to see where these bands take us next.