With the nation’s leadership still undecided and with Amplifier punters likely to be bored or cynical about either outcome’s impact on the future, a serious drink and a veteran Melbourne hardcore double-bill were pretty much an ideal tonic.

The healthy crowd of punters drawn to the Amplifier showed off many a miniskirt, sweet tatt-sleeves and earlobes stretched to the size of beermats. Like a lot of hardcore crowds they let their visage do the hard talking while their demeanor between songs was damn near courteous; everyone was more or less on the same page and ready to give all for the main acts.

The younger Melbourne-ite five-piece Samsara kicked off with expected brutality, giving a few of their newer tracks an early run, but not before vocalist Nick set out their intent. “It’s my birthday tonight, so buy me some fucking drinks,” he grinned. “We gotta fly out at six a.m. so we’re gonna stay up all night. This is called I Tire and it’s off the new record.”

Another newwy came up before long as they raced through Skin And Bone, joined onstage by a punter with stubby in hand who briefly helped out on vocals and took off. There was surprisingly little stage invasion but it made for a good set with Samsara providing enough visual energy to carry it; wrestler-masked drummer, flat-capped guitarist and gurning bassist included. Good stuff.

From the get-go Mindsnare raised the night’s intensity level a few insane notches, switching between crushing stomps and blasts of speed. “What the fuck?” was vocalist Matt Maunder’s growled greeting as the first few stage divers started work. Post-opener, guitarist Beltsy wanted a darker atmos. “Can we have the lights down a bit please? Get this shit evil.” Menacing and courteous to a fault. They followed with The Death and Disturbing The Hive.

Things got predictably mad in the pit, with comedic relief being a couple of poor photographers doing their best to stay in situ up front (low lighting you see…) and snap shots while dodging airborne masked punters and flailing limbs. Included was this FL correspondent, whose specs joined the fray upon meeting a flying skate shoe and were never heard from again, without even a decent photo to show for it. Such was the jovial chaos as Mindsnare ploughed through Cold and Hammer.

“It’s Nick from Samsara’s birthday tonight, alright?” confirmed Matt. They paid tribute with In Reach Of No Man. After throwing in an Agnostic Front cover and what might have been Gallows of Disguise, they’d come to the end of a tight set that was their first in WA for a couple of years. They’re very welcome.