Concert Review: Extreme Performs at The Piece Hall in Halifax on August 7, 2025
As we make our way to The Piece Hall in Halifax, the town is awash with vintage band t-shirts despite the warm summer evening. Fans of rock and metal have gathered in their best concert tees, some of which date back further than the younger crowd in attendance. The tour shirts harken back to a time when Extreme dropped Pornograffiti back in 1990, providing a sense of nostalgia for many in the audience.
The evening kicks off with Terrorvision, hailing from nearby Bradford. Tony Wright, sporting a checked blue suit, takes the stage to a warm reception. The band, far from being solely a ’90s nostalgia act, have seen a resurgence with their 2024 album “We Are Not Robots,” marking their first new music release since “Super Delux” in 2011. Hits like “Shine On” and “Baby Blue” have become staples in their setlist, showcasing a formula that has stood the test of time for the Bradfordians.
Throughout a robust 17-song set, Mark exudes a moody presence on one side of the stage, while Leigh energetically plays the bass on the other. Tony’s boundless energy between the two bandmates mirrors his performances from years ago, reflecting a consistency that has served the group well over time. Even if this were the only performance of the night, the audience would have left satisfied. However, the legendary US rockers, Extreme, were yet to take the stage.
As the sun sets over the picturesque venue, a massive gorilla face fills the backdrop, setting the stage for Extreme’s entrance. Nuno Bettencourt, surrounded by Marshall amps, strikes the opening chords as they launch into “It Is A Monster,” hitting just as hard today as it did 35 years ago. From there, Gary Cherone bursts onto the stage, leading the audience through a relentless set of old and new tracks – seamlessly transitioning from classics like “Decadence Dance” into “#REBEL” from their latest record.
The setlist is peppered with fan favorites like “Play With Me,” featuring an intro of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” along with hits like “Hole Hearted” and the iconic “More Than Words,” which even prompts the toughest-looking rockers to sing along. While there were moments of imbalance in the sound mix, resulting in Gary coming off a bit loud, it did little to detract from Nuno’s guitar mastery. Attendees came to see Extreme, but they stayed to witness the brilliance of a guitar legend.
With solos woven into the songs, pieces like “Midnight Express” and “Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee” showcase Nuno’s exceptional virtuosity, leaving the audience captivated. The crowd erupts at the mention of “Cupid’s Dead” from 1992’s “III Sides To Every Story,” a nod to longstanding fans, while “Get The Funk Out” closes the main set on a high note.
Returning for an encore, they deliver arguably the standout track from their newest album, “RISE,” before concluding the night with a poignant tribute to the late Ozzy Osborne. Nuno shares heartfelt words about Ozzy’s influence, honoring the rock icon with a medley of three songs and a slideshow depicting the legendary musician in his prime.
The concert was a journey back in time, a reminder that bands like Extreme – past, present, and future – owe much to the giants that came before them.