LIVE: HAILMARY – Perth | Boorloo, 23 May 2026

LIVE: HAILMARY – Perth | Boorloo, 23 May 2026
Lyrics Underground, Maylands, Western Australia  
With Amberdown, Ashes of Autumn, Erbium
Reviewed by Scarrrlet Black
Photography by Pete Gardner

On one of the cooler evenings we have experienced this season, Lyrics Underground played host to four bands and their apocalyptic followers.

First up, Erbium, and no, not the Erbium from the periodic table thank you, but a relaxed first step as I began my descent. They’re not only a harmonising folk rock duo but also partners in life as well. Hannah Osman and Ryan Dillon have been kicking around for a while in the Perth music scene with their 2016 recorded debut album, Red Wine Diaries, released this year.

An absolute treat for the early punters, Erbium showcased their original tunes ‘The Pilot’, ‘Deep End’, and ‘Away from the Son’ from the album, before warning the audience the next song was explicit, but Hannah personally guaranteed it would be delivered, ‘nicely’ which indeed it was. Into ‘S.F.U.W’ (for the confused and Gen Xer’s – Sweet F**ked Up World), ‘L.W.A’ from their side gig, Lantana, followed by a cover of Perfect Circle‘s ‘The Noose’ which seemed to round out the set, no pun intended.

I’m assuming it was crippling perfectionism, alternatively… life, which delayed the release of their moody debut, but it is perfect timing (noting the change in weather), to turn up loud, enjoy a hot bath with a glass of smoky red and drift away, thinking of all the darkness in the world.

Speaking of smoke and darkness, Ashes of Autumn came into the room like an inferno and sucked the air from the lungs of the crowd. Their intro track transformed into the punchy ‘2020’ from their 2025 debut studio album, The Darker Side of Now. Lead vocalist, Melanie Flynn hurled herself into the performance, lighting up the stage with incredible rock star flair and the goods to back it up.

When Ashes of Autumn hit the stage, I was catapulted back to a time when hair was big, power ballads were the ‘norm’ and everyone wanted to be with the “chicks from Poison”. The difference with Ashes is their music incorporates the best of modern rock whilst maintaining the flair of the long-gone Sunset Strip rockers, including Kyle’s pink and black fluffy guitar and matching amp. Ashes have found the secret to be on one hand polished and on the other, have a mouthful of grit.

‘Burn’, ‘Little Bit Broken’, ‘All that you Have’ and ‘Enemy’ show cased the skills of all on stage. ‘Forgiven’ hits you squarely in the chest, leaving you gasping at the honesty of the lyrics.

Bringing some levity, Flynn introduced ‘I am More’, written in response to the infamous ‘Tittygate’ debacle, proving once more that songs derived from personal experiences and in this case, at the expense of the unfortunate person who appeared to be weaned too early from the breast, can be the purest form of inspiration. And revenue!

After a shoutout to the venue and bands, Flynn told us they had one more song before “the big boys of Amberdown” hit the stage and Ashes rounded the set out with ‘Refuse to Break’. I have honestly no idea why Ashes of Autumn are not yet worshipped at the altar of rock, but I have faith, it will come.

Flynn was not wrong when she said, “The big boys of Amberdown” and there I was thinking it was all about the stature of the band. Yes and no. Yes, lead singer Daniel Connell is an imposing figure who clearly spends a decent portion of his time in the gym, and the band themselves have supported some legends of rock, including Alice Cooper and Motley Crue.

With three studio albums released, the new single ‘Everneed’ could be the indicator a new album is in the works. Genuinely engaging with the crowd, giving shout outs to fans enjoying their birthday on the night, Amberdown were masterly musical and musically powerful and continue to prove how they got to support the above legends. With adoration seeping from all corners of the room, the ‘Big Boys’ of Amberdown kicked off, with enthusiasm (and sweat) flying.

Connell was begged multiple times to take his shirt off, mostly by the fans identifying as male in the crowd and I have to say, what I found to be the most surprising aspect of this band is despite the fact they are heavy – and I mean HEAVY – the contrast of vocals from almost a throaty growl to a bewitching melody, left me interested in seeing what comes next for this band.

With any luck, they will continue to go from strength to strength, with songs like ‘Spare Me’, ‘Do it Again’ and ‘Hole’. As a ‘sometimes fan’ of Type O Negative and with Connell, bearing a similar resemblance to the late Peter Steele, the only advice I could give is, make sure you are paid by the inch! And by that, of course I mean the length of the album.

Having the crowd suitably warmed and frenzy whipped, the headliners Hailmary arrived, and it was clear from the beginning they absorbed any remaining sin in the room, leaving only room for their performance.

For this first timer, Hailmary initially held the attraction of being the band with the most hair. Nothing shorter than shoulder length but I was soon to appreciate this band is more than luscious locks.

Frontman and guitarist, Kev Curran, bassist Kieran Wilson, drummer Jacob Sewell and, surprise, guitarist and vocals Dan Connell, make up this juggernaut of a band and have the cajones to prove it. After making sure the bass was properly mic’d, avoiding any “dad jokes” whilst this was occurring, and offering to play the first three songs again, Hailmary delivered a sharp set that showcased the talent of each member. From ‘Falling Down’, ‘Ruin Me’, ‘Navigate’ and ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’, the crowd had tripled in size and were making not only the walls of the venue perspire.

 

There are many musical comparisons that could be made, but at the end of the day and by their own admission they have drawn inspiration from Soundgarden and other 90’s bands. Hailmary’s energy and the pure love the band and the crowd have for each other is a mutually symbiotic relationship.

At the end of an extremely long day, this reviewer was glad to have made the journey and go the distance, if only to absolved of her sins.

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries