Between Hardcore and Devotional Singing

Shelter, Speedway, Corpo Estraneo

Celebrating 30 Years of Mantra Tour presented by Mind Over Matter at ((szene)) Wien, Austria 20250412

Shelter stands as one of the pioneering bands and undoubtedly one of the most prominent representatives of Krishnacore, a hardcore subgenre linked to the Hare Krishna religious movement. Therefore, it was unsurprising to hear twice during the concert—amidst a good dose of fast and aggressive rhythms—the movement’s signature mantra that followers intone ceaselessly in call-and-response style accompanied with harmonium and percussion during their kirtans (worship sessions).

Of course, not everyone present was necessarily a devotee. Still, the abundance of T-shirts referencing the Straight Edge subculture —a movement from which Krishnacore arguably emerged— stood out. Both share core principles, including the rejection of recreational drugs (alcohol and tobacco included) and, to some extent, the opposition to promiscuity as well as an adherence to a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle.¹ Maybe this is why the bar section directly at the concert hall was closed?

The evening started on time at around 20, when Corpo Estraneo took the stage. While the international crowd gradually filled the space, the Italian (Bologna) band launched into their Krsna Punx —as they label themselves on Instagram—, delivering in between brief speeches rooted in the radical spirit-matter dualism central to the Hare Krishna philosophy. Up next were the Swedes of Speedway, who are currently accompanying Shelter on their anniversary tour. They started strong and I was thoroughly enjoying the performance until it ended before even hitting the 20-minute mark. I was left wanting more.

By 21:30 it was Shelter’s turn. Despite frontman Ray Cappo’s voice not being at full strength, the band offered tons of energy and a magnetic stage presence, leading the crowd into a frenzy of sing-alongs and crowdsurfing from the very first chords. The set started with an extended version of “Message of the Bhagavat” and included their entire Mantra album (1995), alongside famous tracks like “Shelter” and “Better Way”. Once again, the music and rhetoric echoed the religious movement’s core tenets, yet this time deliberately integrated with hardcore punk’s spirit. For instance, introducing “Not the Flesh”, the charismatic singer emphatically stated, “We are spiritual beings —no matter color, race, or nation”, merging Hare Krishna beliefs with the egalitarian ideals widely embodied in the audience’s clothing and insignia.

One final note on Shelter’s live sound: it is often criticised that the bass does not come through in the mix in concerts. But this time it was the opposite. Although as a bassist myself I appreciated this shift to some degree, at times the guitar faded into the background even more than in a Primus song.

¹ More about the encounters and misencounters between Krishnacore and Straight Edge can be found in this interesting text by Gabriel Kuhn (in German).