A female voice at the head of a brutal metalcore act might have raised a few eyebrows in mild disbelief beforehand, but Walls of Jericho proved this Saturday who wears the pants in this particular genre.

Or if anyone still had doubts after the gig, they probably didn’t dare to voice them, for so intense and hard-edged was vocalist Candace Kucsulain’s delivery on the Stage Three. The crowd seemed to love the American combo, and Candace directed the hardcore metalheads in turn either to form a circle pit or just jump around and raise their fists. An invigorating and energising experience through and through, even if this particular brew isn’t exactly your cup of tea.

Jari Rytkönen