Review: Mosh Pits and Mud Baths: Gel Electrifies Riot Fest with Gritty Performance
IN A MUD-COVERED MASTERCLASS IN HARDCORE – On Sunday, September 22, Gel made their highly anticipated debut at Chicago's Riot Fest, and they didn’t just play – they unleashed a storm of unapologetic attitude, raw prowess and pure aggression. Despite the unrelenting rain and a muddy festival ground, the New Jersey-based hardcore band captivated their audience, turning their set into a primal, gritty celebration of hardcore spirit.
Kicking off with their searing track “Martyr,” Gel wasted no time plunging into their signature blend of crushing beatdowns and sludgy guitar riffs, all while paired with a fiercely commanding stage presence. Their performance followed up with “Mirage,” one of the standout tracks from their latest EP, Persona, released earlier this year. With its abrasive, hardcore sound and visceral lyrical content, the crowd erupted, with voices ringing out in unison to the menacing line, “I’ll draw a devil on the wall / Etched with your memories / Creation guiding my hand / Spawned from your cruelty.”
Photography Credit: Heriberto Gallegos
But the real spectacle unfolded beyond the stage. As the band powered through their set, the soggy crowd refused to let the downpour dampen their spirits. In true hardcore fashion, a muddy mosh pit erupted, adding a unique twist to Riot Fest’s usual chaos. Fans not only slammed into each other with reckless abandon but took it a step further – engaging in full-on mud wrestling matches. Covered in sludge, festival-goers hurled fistfuls of mud into the crowd, with some even diving into the muck for an impromptu mud bath.
As Gel’s set continued, it became clear that the weather wasn’t going to stop either the band or their fans. If anything, the rain heightened the experience, making the event feel rawer, more untamed and undeniably unforgettable. Gel’s ability to command such chaos in such extreme conditions speaks to the core of their appeal. They are a band that thrives in the grit, turning every drop of rain and every inch of mud into fuel for their uncompromising sound.
Effortlessly sparking muddy mosh pits within seconds, Gel tore into fan favorites from their highly acclaimed Only Constant album, pushing the Riot Fest crowd into an even deeper frenzy. As soon as lead vocalist Sami Kaiser launched into “Honed Blade,” the energy of their ferocity was refreshing to experience. Every riff was a dagger, slicing through the drenched air with precise intensity. Gel's energy was a force of nature, matched only by the crowd’s wild response as they surged forward, feeding off the band’s electrifying presence.
Following up with “Attainable” and “Out of Mind,” Gel showcased their ability to balance sheer power with razor-sharp precision. Their aggressive instrumentation and relentless attitude turned the set into a visceral experience, with each song ramping up the intensity. The band delivered nothing but quality from start to finish, proving why Only Constant has solidified their place at the forefront of modern hardcore.
The crowd, drenched in rain and mud, embraced the chaos as Gel pushed them further into catharsis with every song. Their no-holds-barred approach ensured that Only Constant resonated powerfully, showing that Gel's music is as uncompromising as their attitude.
Photography Credit: Abra Richardson
Midway through Gel's set, things took an unexpected – and hilariously memorable – turn. Fans, in a mix of appreciation and playfulness, began hurling not just mud but chicken nuggets toward the stage. What could have been a moment of distraction was instead met with laughter and a good-natured response from the band, who took it all in stride. The sight of chicken nuggets flying through the air, landing amidst the sludge on stage, seemed to perfectly encapsulate the wild, anything-goes energy of the day.
Gel's live shows are a powerful testament to their evolution as one of hardcore’s most exciting acts, and their commitment to an unpolished, authentic sound remains unwavering. There’s an unspoken synergy that runs through their setlist, whether they're ripping through fan favorites like “XOXO” or new tracks from Persona. The songs bleed into each other with a natural flow, but each one hits with the same ferocity. It’s safe to say that Gel’s Riot Fest set will be remembered not just for its sheer power but for the visceral, muddy mayhem that it inspired.
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