HARDCORE IN THE PRESENT TENSE: SOUND AND FURY DAY 2 DELIVERS THE NOW
Day two of Sound and Fury 2025 was a triumph of hardcore in full bloom. Forget polished festival shows, Sound and Fury’s DIY ethos was palpable throughout the entire day: no barricade, no glitz, just hardcore culture dialed up to 100. There was a focus on keeping the fest true to hardcore values, rather than turning it into a corporate festival experience. Sound and Fury delivered unforgettable performances, surprise guests, and the rare hardcore unity that defines the community.
Just like day one, day two pulsed with an electrifying sense of collective energy. The communal spirit of hardcore shone through relentless stage-diving, collective sing-alongs, and horseshoe pits that engulfed the stage front. It was genuinely moving to witness fans united in chaos–stage diving, moshing, and cheering one another on, despite the heat, dust, and inevitable exhaustion. From bumps and bruises to broken bones, day two of Sound and Fury was wild but the mosh pit wasn't just chaos; it was a raw, physical embodiment of unity and joy.
I strolled into Exposition Park just as Combust was taking the stage. Having never heard of them before, I was eager to discover something new–and they absolutely blew me away. I’m absolutely hooked; it’s all I’ve been playing recently. From the first note, Combust came out swinging, delivering a full-throttle dose of New York hardcore grit and conviction that instantly commanded attention. Frontman Andrew Vacante led the charge with fierce intensity, setting the tone for a blistering set. The band rip-roared through tracks like “N.Y.H.C.” and “Our Own Breed,” anchoring their sound in classic New York hardcore while injecting it with contemporary polish. Constant stage-diving, wall-to-walls, sing-alongs, the festival’s communal aspect was fully on display, with fans rallying behind Combust’s raw, unapologetic presence.
Following Combust’s performance, I beelined straight to the Cream stage to catch Pest Control–and they did not disappoint. The crossover thrash powerhouse from Leeds delivered a savage, unforgettable set at Sound and Fury that left absolutely no doubt they belong on the big stage. Live renditions of songs like “Time Bomb” and “Enjoy the Show” echoed the razor-sharp blend of thrash aggression and hardcore punch that made their “Year of the Pest” EP stand out. The pit was relentlessly active with energetic moshers fueling the band’s momentum. The communal synergy during this set was tangible. They combined fierce musicianship, stage presence, and a genuine connection with fans. Pest Control’s set was easily one of my favorites this weekend.
Representing Northern California, I knew I had to catch Midrift’s set. The trio channels a refreshing blend of shoegaze and post-hardcore, and their performance offered a welcome tonal shift from the day’s heavier acts: atmospheric, introspective, yet fully engaged. Across a seven song set, they balanced dreamy textures with emotional depth. Shimmering guitars and layered vocal harmonies created a meditative backdrop that still carried focused energy. They closed with a cover of Title Fight’s “27” which elicited an enthusiastic applause–an homage that felt genuinely earned. And while the long-running joke about Title Fight returning to play Sound and Fury is still just that–a joke–Midrift’s take was the closest we’ve come and will get for now. Their set was a thoughtful, haunting reminder that even the quietest dynamics can leave a lasting impact on a hardcore bill.
As a shoegaze enthusiast, I was excited to see Cloakroom live. Hailing from Northwest Indiana, Cloakroom, the trio showcased their evolving sound, which has garnered lots of attention for its melodic and atmospheric qualities. Cloakroom’s set was a testament to their growth and adaptability as a band. Their ability to evolve while maintaining the core elements that fans love makes them a standout act in the shoegaze and post-hardcore scenes. Throughout the performance, they effortlessly blended swirling guitars with airy vocals, creating an immersive experience that drew the crowd in. Their dynamic range–from ethereal passages to powerful crescendos–kept the energy compelling and the audience fully engaged, proving that Cloakroom continues to push boundaries while staying true to their roots.
Glare, the shoegaze trio from the UK, brought another contrast to the predominantly hardcore lineup. Their set offered a lush, transcendent experience that stood out amidst the festival’s intensity. Their sound was characterized by ethereal vocals, creating a dreamy ambiance that captivated the audience. Glare’s performance was a testament to their ability to create an immersive experience. The band’s commitment to their shoegaze roots was evident, as their set provided a welcome respite and added a unique layer to the festival’s diverse lineup. Glare’s set offered attendees a moment of introspection amidst the intensity, allowing for a brief, immersive escape into lush soundscapes that contrasted beautifully with the festival’s high octane energy.
Sparking a lot of excitement when announced that he was on the lineup for Sound and Fury, Project Pat’s performance was easily one of the most talked-about sets of the weekend. This Memphis rap legend delivered a genre-defying spectacle that blurred the lines between hardcore and hip-hop, bringing his gritty, streetwise energy to this hardcore festival. Tracks like “Chickenhead” and “Good Googly Moogly” had fans moshing, dancing, chanting along, proving that his influence transcends genres. Fans embraced the fusion of styles, with moshing, stage-diving, and crowd surfing in full swing. Project Pat’s set was a testament to the versatility and inclusivity of the Sound and Fury festival. By embracing an unexpected genre crossover, he introduced a new audience to his music and vice versa. The set was a celebration of musical diversity proving that the spirit of hardcore can resonate across different genres and communities.
God’s Hate unleashed a powerful, emotional, and unforgettable set marking their final performance before an indefinite hiatus. The band’s setlist featured tracks like “Finish the Job,” “The Valley Beyond (818),” “Six Feet Deep,” and other songs, showcasing their signature blend of hardcore aggression and precision. Mid-set, Terror made an unannounced appearance that energized the crowd and added an unexpected twist to the evening, punctuated by the announcement of their upcoming album on Flatspot Records. The surprises didn’t stop there. Following this, a partial reunion of Carry On took place, featuring original members Ryan George and Todd Jones. They performed “Off My Chest,” marking the first Carry On appearance in 20 years. The reunion added a nostalgic flair to the set. As God’s Hate announced their hiatus with the statement, “The job is finished…for now,” their Sound and Fury set served as fitting conclusion to this chapter of their journey. The surprise collaborations and relentless energy left a lasting impression on attendees, solidifying God’s Hate legacy in the hardcore scene.
Emerging from Santa Cruz, Scowl stormed the stage with unapologetic force, launching into a set full of raw, unfiltered energy perfectly balancing ferocity with groove. Fronted by Kat Moss, whose signature presence and neon-green locks became a beacon of fury, the band instantly commanded the festival crowd and enforced a swelter of mosh-pit energy. This set showcased both their signature breakdown-fueled aggression and emergent alt-rock sensibility, melding hook-laden choruses with heavy riffs. Mosh pits surged and voices roared as fans sang along, responding to Scowl’s ability to resonate with both hardcore purists and newer listeners alike. With commanding presence, raw energy, and songs that resonate both emotionally and physically, they delivered one of the festival’s standout performances.
Knocked Loose proved exactly why they’re a Grammy-nominated artist, closing out Sound and Fury with a seismic 50-minute set that fused punishing riffs and unrelenting energy. Each song hit like a shockwave, and the momentum only grew with surprise guest appearances that sent the crowd into a full-blown frenzy. Mid-set, George Clarke from Deafheaven joined in on “God Knows,” lending the track a spectral intensity and infusing the track with a ghostly ferocity. Later, Kat Moss of Scowl stepped in for Poppy on the band’s Grammy-nominated single “Suffocate,” sparking one of the weekend’s most intense crowd reactions. It was the kind of set that doesn’t just entertain–it engraves itself into your memory. Knocked Loose delivered a masterclass in controlled chaos, and by the end, fan-shot footage flooded social media sites with clips of chaotic pits and stage-diving mayhem. Their Sound and Fury performance didn’t just meet expectations, it cemented their place as one of the most vital live acts in modern hardcore. And honestly, no one will ever get me to stop talking about it.
Sound and Fury’s second day was more than a musical climax–it felt like witnessing a cultural crescendo. It wasn’t just a festival finale; rather, it was a celebration of hardcore’s continuum, where past, present, and future collided in a raw, unshielded surge of unity. Hardcore’s future, firmly rooted yet fearlessly forward, was laid bare in every riff, breakdown, and crowd surge. Sound and Fury reaffirmed its position as the leading festival for progressive hardcore, seamlessly merging nostalgia with boundary-pushing intensities. If this weekend proves anything, it’s that hardcore’s heart beats loudest when community and chaos collide.
