Review: Hardcore stars Knocked Loose, Counterparts and Militarie Gun whipped up a joyous rage in Orlando

Ominous overcast skies gave way to a near-midnight mass of mosh pits and crowdsurfers at the Orlando Amphitheater courtesy Knocked Loose.

Rescheduled due to Hurricane Milton, this Orlando stop of the Kentucky hardcore band’s “You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To” tour had extra emotional heft for the thousands of grateful hardcore fans in attendance. The Grammy-nominated headliners (!!!) concluded their aptly named tour with a barrage of hit songs, circle pits, crowdsurfing and flames.

New hardcore stars Militarie Gun, ushering in the setting sun with ferocious intensity, received a rapturous reception.

Canadian metalcore band Counterparts were up next, touring on their just-released, banger-filled EP Heaven Let Them Die. Lead singer Brendan Murphy dedicated one of the songs to his deceased cat, in a rare vulnerable moment.

As stagehands kept the patient crowd waiting, a fan named Faith stood beside us, tearfully describing how her fiancé, who recently passed away in a motorcycle accident, was supposed to see Knocked Loose with her.

The band took a stage festooned with a neon cross, fire pits and smoke machines — an appropriately apocalyptic complement to their unrelenting musical roar.

Knocked Loose duly performed one of their tightest sets yet, commanding a unified crowd to channel their rage into a celebration of life, piece by piece.