After hearing Lunah Lauridsen endlessly gush over the Biohazard show in Berlin last year, it was finally time for me to catch up on what these old hardcore gents were up to. Back in their original form, playing only songs from the first three albums - a wet dream for many.

“Are you ready? Copenhell, let’s see what you’re motherfucking made of! Jump fucking up!”
- Billy Graziadei (vocals/guitar)

Biohazard was of course set to destroy the Hades stage, and they were going to do it in the presence of a lot of fans. A LOT of fans! And these fans were ready to party!
The concert was introduced by the well known State Of The World Address soundbite, after which the show quickly kicked into gear with Shades Of Grey, which immediately saw all the crowd jumping. They were of course expertly led into this kind of action by the band, with both Graziadei and Bobby Hambel spending more time off the ground than they did on it, if I’m to throw out a quick estimate. Hambel was constantly jumping in lower, quick jumps, circles, and whatever he could think of, while Graziadei impressed with such high jumps that shouldn’t even be possible by someone of his age - surely there were many, many younger musicians playing this festival that didn’t even come close to him in pure energy!
Graziadei was also quick to leave the stage to jump onto the big speakers in front of it, skipping from one to the next as if he was walking on air.
Danny Schuler and Evan Seinfeld were naturally more tied to their spots, Schuler for obvious reasons, and Seinfeld because he took care of most of the singing. This doesn’t mean either of them took a calmer approach to the performance however, and just because they weren’t jumping all the time, it wasn’t less of a powerful performance.

“Our first show outside of the US was in Copenhagen back in -90, and we went home and told everyone that the Danes were a wild bunch! Thank you for having our back for 30 years!”
- Graziadei (vocals/guitar)

While Graziadei certainly wasn’t afraid to get down with the fans, going as far as starting up a huge circle pit and then getting right in it, not stopping playing while he was running along with everyone, Biohazard was equally up for inviting the fans to their side of the tracks. For Urban Discipline, a beer was promised to the first one to reach the stage. Well, a lot of people came, and the band were generous enough not to hold strict to the one beer promise. While the stage was getting crowded, Graziadei decided to go for a crowdsurf instead. It was impressive to see not only that this stunt was done, but that it was not only allowed, but helped along by the stage security, who were giving people a hand with getting up there in a safe manner. Such a great throwback to the hardcore shows of old, it made my heart warm.

“We made this album 30 years ago…”
- Evan Seinfeld (vocals/bass)

“You’re old!”
- Graziadei (vocals/guitar)

“I’m old as dirt, but I look good!”
- Seinfeld (vocals/bass)

Lunah Lauridsen hadn’t exaggerated one bit. Having these people back together in the band, playing these super hits from the golden age of New York Hardcore, songs I grew up on and in part helped shape me into who I am - I can’t understate the feeling this gave me.
It wasn’t hard to look around and see that I wasn’t alone in this state either, as the whole crowd was in the palm of the band’s hand. Hands down, the most energetic and lively kick ass show at this year’s Copenhell!

Setlist:

State Of The World Address
Shades Of Grey
Tales From The Hard Side
Urban Discipline
Black And White And Red All Over
Victory
Wrong Side Of The Tracks
Five Blocks From The Subway
Love Denied
We’re Only Gonna Die (Bad Religion cover)
Punishment
Hold My Own
No Sleep Till Brooklyn (Beastie Boys song)