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The last day of a weekend festival is inevitably a little more painful, has a few more strained sighs, and might even have slightly less drinking, although that last one is doubtful. However, with the star-studded lineup provided at Reality Unfolds, the pain and the sighs were all afterthoughts as we enjoyed one final day of brutality before heading home to crumple into bed in a heap.
At precisely 13:24pm, Ancient Rivalry broke the bass drum skin. This might’ve happened because of the ridiculous amount of use it’s had across the last couple days, but is just as likely to be because of how truly crushingly heavy they are. Sounding like hell incarnate, they feel like a band out of time with their wonderfully 90’s take on death metal. Easily one of the best new finds of the weekend, and playing with Burner on the 16th of February in Guildford, they need to be on your must-see list now.
For something I’d never seen before, it was Ikhras up next with their own brand of harami metal. They were frenetic from the off and displayed an amazing new side of the scene that myself and plenty of other attendees hadn’t ever experienced, which was amazing in and of itself, to say nothing of what was an awesome set on its own merit. Having barely been around more than a few months, they are one to watch with their first recorded work coming in the near future!
Cainhurst took third up, and their all trans lineup gave the festival a rabid performance of tormented queer hardcore. Having had a few queer bands over the weekend, it was amazing seeing such brilliant representation, and when that representation is so damn good at playing vicious hardcore then it’s just that much better. Their final song was sent out to any and all trans people, and was greeted by a dangerous pit that was the only suitable reaction to their raucous show.
The metalcore crowd were given a show by Sentience, who kept the room's energy up and at it. Another of the numerous female fronted bands across the weekend, the diversity on display was brilliant, and so was the music. Making their way through a technical set, the vegan metalcore group carried us nicely over midway through the afternoon.
To amp up the brute force, No Relief were enlisted from the deep dark depths of Brighton. They offered us precisely what the name would suggest, and excercised no restraint all set long. Furious guitar lines flew left right and centre, as did kicks and flailing arms, which the show to a T.
Lyon’s Iron Deficiency also stopped by to show off their chops, and their straight edge hardcore got the crowd at each other's throats. With vicious vocal delivery and razor sharp riffs, the French five piece were a blaze of fun and fury in equal measure.
EMHC was given a full run out at Reality Unfolds, as Full Contact got involved to the fullest. Walking out and doing a vocals only cover of ‘Angels’ by Robbie Williams, with a slight change to “I’m loving East Mids instead”, really set the tone as they then set about killing everyone with music. ‘Lack Of Respect’ was a late set punisher that was almost perfect, excluding the sad lack of the spoken word piece, but aside from that heinous transgression the band were excellent and lived up to their name in every way possible.
Ghetto Justice. They are singular in many ways, not least being the only band I’ve ever seen make their own mini pyro onstage using the time-honoured teenage pastime of a deodorant flamethrower. The Berliners partied harder than anyone, finishing their set by getting into the crowd, sharing plenty of drinks, and turning up the PA to max whilst pumping dance music through it. A set that will live long in the memory of all who witnessed it, taking the crown of the silliest hardcore set seen by all there.
Allowing us some time to recoup our minds, bodies, and souls after the last couple of sets, Chalk Hands gave us the screamo we all wanted as we wound up for the last few bands of the entire weekend. Alternating between delicate melody and anguished heaviness, Brighton’s brightest put on a powerful, emotive show for us all.
After the slight respite, Inhuman Nature provided their thrashy death metal to let us limber up one last time ahead of the finale of the weekend. A band who’ve gone from strength to strength of late, they showed their mettle at the end of a tiring weekend by continuing to have people moshing somehow, at this late late point of the weekend.
Playing their only hometown show for a long while, Cage Fight were on fine form for their subheadline slot on Sunday. Speedy frantic riffs gave way to soul crushing breakdowns amidst the penultimate set, at one point playing a song for “someone you truly detest” that was subtly titled ‘I Hate Your Guts’. Cage Fight were incredibly enjoyable, and the new song they debuted is sure to invoke many a circle pit post release.
I could describe Genocide Pact in many ways, yet the only thing that truly feels accurate is biblical. The trio make you feel like the world is ending (in a fun way I promise), with excruciatingly slow chugs and breakneck blastbeats abound. On what was their first ever international show, they proved exactly why they should not stop here and should carry on to become worldwide sensations. Dedicating one song of their set to Napalm Death, and another to Slayer, they showed their love for the past whilst showing us the future of death metal. Necks were fried, voices were lost, and elbows flung at their London debut, sending out the weekend perfectly.
Our time at Reality Unfolds has come to an end, but we want to thank everyone who was on site at the New Cross Inn working, whether as bar staff, sound engineers, management, or otherwise. Everyone we met was extremely lovely, and talking with everyone in the audience made it so much more fun that it already was going to be. The bands themselves were all stellar, and individually all great people too. Finally, Theo Araby (Real Life Presents) deserves not only our thanks, but huge praise, for organising such a brilliant weekend. Can’t wait for next year!
Words: Jake Longhurst
Photos: Kayleigh Fryer
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