Review: Froth & Fury fest at Perth HPC
Froth & Fury fest at Perth HPC
w/ Polaris, Soulfly, Nailbomb, Frenzal Rhomb, Private Function and more
Saturday, January 24, 2026
South Australia’s wildly successful Froth & Fury Festival finally landed in Perth last weekend—and it hit hard. Bringing together heavy, punk, and alternative powerhouses, the fan-driven event proved that Perth deserves a permanent place on the touring map. Often overlooked by bands hesitant to travel west, the city made a statement loud and clear: Froth & Fury isn’t just visiting—it’s here to stay.
Held at HPC with three stages and a slick layout, the festival felt big, bold, and uniquely Perth. From the moment Crosscheck and Zuko kicked things off with crushing intensity, it was clear the energy wouldn’t let up.
Rat King brought chaos to the industrial Compound stage, Voyager dazzled with cinematic flair, and Bodysnatcher detonated one of the day’s biggest pits. Two guys dressed as a banana and Jesus decided to take control of the pits and surge the crowd around them into a frenzy. Across all three stages, the sound was consistently massive—an impressive feat for a first-year event.
Fit For An Autopsy had zero trouble commanding the Froth stage, delivering some of the most punishing moments of the day to a packed arena. Over at the Compound, Iniquitous Monolith brought their own brand of brutality, pulling in a dedicated crowd and reinforcing what festivals do best: pushing you towards bands you might never have discovered otherwise. It’s a heavy music feast, and the only mistake is not exploring it fully.
Frenzal Rhomb, meanwhile, proved once again why they’re a live favourite. Jason Whalley’s knack for hooks turned absurd, chaotic subject matter into ridiculously catchy anthems, while the band played with sharpness and chemistry. A setlist mixing newer tracks like Where Drug Dealers Take Their Kids and Dog Tranquiliser with timeless crowd-pleasers like Punch in the Face had everyone—from punks to metalheads—locked in and losing their minds. Effortless, infectious fun.
Highlights came thick and fast. Nailbomb made history with their first Australian show, the set leaning heavily on Point Blank, and the band’s industrial thrash still hits with brutal freshness decades on. The guitars were sharp and cutthroat.
As the sun dipped and the night took over, the smart scheduling made it easy to bounce between sets, and the next stop was In Hearts Wake. Opening with Worldwide Suicide, they exploded onto the stage with relentless heaviness and never eased off. The intensity peaked when Karl Spiessl from Ocean Sleeper joined them onstage, sending the crowd into another surge of chaos.
Private Function took the stage next and pulled in one of the largest crowds of the day. “Yeah, we’re Soulfly,” Chris Penney joked from the stage, poking fun at the fact they’re playing alongside some of the day’s biggest names. But any sense of modesty disappeared the moment they launch into their set. The band is pure, unfiltered chaos.
Their setlist was stacked with bangers: Fuck Me Dead, Art Sucks (But Not as Much as You), Koala, and a surprise nod to Midnight Oil with King of the Mountain. Every track landed harder than the last, and the crowd ate it up.
Knowing the band is nearing the end made their performance hit even harder. They’re a force of nature, and it’s gutting to think this era is coming to a close. If you can catch them one last time in Adelaide next weekend, do it—because moments like this don’t come around often.
Polaris came in next to deliver the final set of the day. It’s not just the flames and lights that make their live shows unforgettable—it’s the way they command the crowd. Watching them in action, it’s obvious why they’re dominating right now. Tracks like Landmine and All Of This Is Fleeting hit early, with the band pausing to get the audience singing along. Not that anyone really needed prompting—the crowd was already locked in.
Then comes a moment of mischief. The music cut out, the band stepped forward, and a surprise announcement followed: they need everyone’s help to sing ‘Happy Birthday.’ Thousands of voices rose to celebrate frontman Jamie Hails in a moment that felt both hilarious and strangely wholesome. The sentiment didn’t last long, though—seconds later, the chaos returned as another wall of death erupted across the floor.
They finished with Inhumane, sealing the night with a final surge of intensity. It was a commanding set and a clear reminder of just how powerful Polaris are on a big stage.
All up, it was an outstanding day. The lineup was stacked, the organisation tight, and the turnout massive. Whatever the numbers say on paper, Froth & Fury felt like a win in every way that matters. If Perth has any say in it, this festival better be back next year.
JORDAN SWINDELLS
Photos by Karen Lowe and Mikaela James
