HANABIE.: Harajuku-core Is Taking Over Toronto
- Vic Gerrard
- May 4
- 3 min read
On a cold day in march, what better way is there to warm up than with a metal show? ON March 18th, the Japanese harajukucore band Hanabie arrived at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto to warm everyone’s souls, with help from Enterprise Earth and Nekrogoblikon.
Starting off the night was Spokane deathcore band Enterprise Earth, composed of Travis Worland (vocals), Gabe Mongold (guitars and backing vocals), Dakota Johnson (bass and backing vocals), and Aron Hetsko (drums). The first thing that shocked the crowd was the range of Worland’s screams. Pig squeals, gutterals, fry screams, you name it, and Worland could do it. Right off the bat, the band’s energy had the crowd spinning a circle pit. Mongold and Johnson’s riffs kept the energy alive while Hetsko’s beats were felt through the floor. Before the last song, members of Hanabie and Nekrogoblikon appeared on stage and pied Worland in the face, as it was the band’s birthday prior to the show. Worland performed the final song with “a face full of cream”. Their final song featured a breakdown that shook the Danforth to its core and left the crowd hungry for more.
Next to the stage was Nekrogoblikon. Now, there wasn’t much craziness to be expected, but once the giant blow up goblin head found its place onstage and a goblin by the name of John Goblikon took the stage along with the rest of the members, Dickie Allen (harsh vocals), Alex "Goldberg" Alereza (bass), Aaron "Raptor" Minich (keyboards), Eric William Brown (drums), and Joe "Diamond" Nelson (rhythm guitar), all bets were off. Their “goblincore” sound was certainly unique and their stage presence was even more unique; heavy riffs and screams set the scene for their silly and sometimes vulgar displays onstage. Even still, Nekrogoblikon’s musicality and performance was unbelievably tight, kept the fans both entertained and captivated from the beginning to the end of their set. When they finally said goodbye, the room was buzzing from their performance and eagerly awaiting the headliner, Hanabie’s arrival.
No one would have expected Hanabie to arrive to the stage when they did. When an anime intro played through the speakers of the Danforth Music Hall, fans didn’t think much of it until the lights dimmed and the members of Hanabie took to the stage.
Drummer Chika was first to greet the crowd before retreating to her kit, followed by Bassist Hettsu, guitarist Matsuri, and finally, vocalist Yukina. The four girls, cloaked in eclectic harajuku fashion tore apart the stage with a masterful blend of hardcore riffs from Matsuri and Hettsu, explosive screams from Yukina, blast beats from Chika, and some electronic elements that had the whole performance sounding like the soundtrack to an epic, dark anime.
The band opened with NEET Game, a song that starts off electronic and pop-like before flipping a switch and diving right into screams and chugging riffs. Pits opened and chaos ensued. Following the mayhem that was NEET game was the equally energetic Sunrise Miso Soup. If you’ve ever had miso soup, you’d understand why everyone in the crowd went crazy over a song about it.
Despite a small language barrier, Hanabie still thanked their Canadian crowd at the Danforth Music Hall, and seeing as it was their third time playing the venue, they challenged everyone in the audience to make this time better than the last two. And having been at some of those performances, I can say for certain that this time outshone the last two shows they played in the historic Toronto venue. They went on to play hits such as the ever bouncy Kotoshi Koso Gal, Spicy Queen and closed out their main set with the electronic headbanger, Osaki Ni Shitsurei Shimasu.
Hanabie departed the stage, but after cheers and chants from the Toronto crowd, returned for a performance of Ware Amatou. From there, they would bid Toronto goodbye, but it certainly wouldn’t be their last time. As everyone stepped out into the cold air that infiltrated the warm spring weather, A still-buzzing crowd would take the memory of Hanabie’s thunderous performance with them. A fitting atmosphere, considering the band’s namesake.
