Things have gotten out of control. And not in a "last night was crazy" sort of way that involves waking up to a chicken in your hotel room, but in an "I'm definitely not qualified for this job and I'm about to be called out on it" sort of way. Mega speed run.

Grave Leisure was an aggro-looking chap shouting agitprop into a microphone while pacing behind two tables full of electronics. A+ for using that electrical engineering degree when he could have just plugged his phone into the aux and been done with it. It's the little things that count. Only four songs (including a cover) in what was the project's third show ever. A bit industrial, but with some of that cold 1982 Blitz feel to it. He kept the vocals clean to make sure everyone caught the anti-establishment lyrics. I hope this keeps happening.

The Uncouth played melodic Oi! under horrible blue lights. The abbreviated eight-song set included the surprise return of old chestnut "Living Wage" alongside cuts mostly pulled from the band's self-titled 2023 album. The harmonies were great in "Company Town Blues." CJ's guitar leads were too quiet, Todd broke a cymbal stand (again), and we all sang the chorus to 4-Skins' "Evil" – even though none of us were actually sociopaths.

Madman was there to celebrate the release of its new cassette, Into the Maze. I've given up trying to determine what sort of band this is. I do suspect that they want to hurt audiences though. Ben's shredded vocals in "Open Casket (Face Down)" cut deep. Stephen's bass was one stunning body blow after another. The knotty leads and spiraling rhythms were unavoidable and mesmerizing. The big riffs finished off everyone in the busy room. The winner was definitely the slow groove set in "Toxic Loner." Friend-of-the-band Mike Stover joined for two cuts, including closer "Üntermensch." Three guitars?! In this economy?!

Please don't fire me.