Hardcore is in the midst of frenzy right now. A common but chaotic part of the cycle for any genre having a moment. Turnstile going for the gold by making their music less appealing to it’s base. Ceremony being enshrined in this generation’s Hardcore Hall of Fame. Scowl dating the industry. It happens to every well established scene, every time there is a renewed interest. And then there’s Angel Du$t…
It’s interesting to contrast Angel Du$t and Turnstile- not just because of the heavy collaboration of members between the two bands, historically. It’s a tale of two different approaches. I’m seeing Angel Du$t cement a legacy that is nowhere near being fully realized at this present date.
related: Turnstile “Shake It Up” at The Novo
It’s been fun watching Angel Du$t evolve their sound organically over time rather than the extreme shift that has been commonplace for bands in the scene the moment the light is shining brightest on them. This is nothing new. The euphemism is that the sound has “matured” which, for both music and people is code for less fun. I do not begrudge people for attempting to make a better life for themselves. I don’t begrudge people for seeking fame. But people are in bands and no one judges or begrudges bands more than their biggest fans when it comes down to how their legacies are cemented. Fans are psycho and in the end, I am a fan.
related: Fresh Friday’s- Angel Du$t, Converge, Charli XCX and Femtanyl
SOS Booking has been on a tear since last year. A lot of rarities and more of what we want. But this was it’s own moment. The Angel Dust show at 1720 on March 21st 2026 helped me reinforce how important this band is to music right now and how much I like them. The addition of lead guitarist Jim Carroll in 2025 as a permanent member of the band tightened their live set exponentially. They have a steady approach to writing songs and releasing albums that yields a very dynamic and unique sound amongst their peers.
related: Hardcore’s Enfant Terrible- Kickback at 1720
I went to 1720 that night most excited to see Béton Armé for the first time. Their 2025 album Renaissance was a modern Oi sensation. The production on Renaissance felt like a renaissance in the genre. It’s been decades since an Oi chorus has been sung in french and while I wouldn’t be able to sing along, I would be able to hit the whoa’s and the oh’s.
related: Sound and Furty 2025- Everybody Spin Kick!
related: Nature World Night Out- Building Bridges Between Hardcore and Hip Hop
The music sounded great but I could not hear lead vocalist Danick Joseph-Dicaire at all. Was the mic broken? Did they miss sound check? I hope this was a one off.
My blue balls were on ice until Angel Du$t took the stage and set it on fire. Opening with “Du$t” and straight into “Toxic Boombox” sent the crowd into a frenzy. The Angel Du$t catalog is getting to the point where they are not playing every song I want to hear but even as someone who began to appreciate the more melodic side of Hardcore and Post Hardcore more recently, there are no bad songs.
No Guard, Midrift and Leave No Doubt also played and I apologize to those bands that we couldn’t get there in time to support with words and photos. We’ll see you soon.
Words: Danny Baraz
Photos: Chris Molina
