Nevertheless, ‘Five Arrows’ is unyielding in its power and a gift that no one will turn down. ‘We Won’t Sleep’ pulses with energy and bruising riffs. Lines of, “It’s all about to blow / Stand back, stand back” may be seen as quite on-the-nose, but it’s easy to envision a call-and-response with their fans in a small, heaving venue.

‘Unkillable’ and ‘A New Mentality’ continue the heavy tread throughout the release. ‘Unkillable’ – a track written after Polar injected new life into their line-up with a complete change in guitarists, bassist, and drummer – makes the themes of survival and resilience the beating heart of this anthem. ‘A New Mentality’ follows a similar thought process; it’s Polar’s way of proudly stating that change is in the air, and you can get on board or be left behind. Your choice.

Striking riffs and unwieldy drum work come together to form ‘House of Cards’, which also showcases Adam Woodford’s huge vocals. That’s one thing Polar still have buckets of – raw talent and energy, culminating in tracks such as ‘Dawn of a New Age’ and ‘All Hail the Tyrant’.

Single ‘Swimming With Sharks’ is, put simply, quite stunning. The pounding drum work, riffs that will leave tremors in their wake, coupled with massive and robust vocals created a single that left fans aching for new music. And when you look at the lyrics like, “These are deadly waters / the current pulls me under / all this time / I’ve been swimming with sharks”, it’s not hard to see why this track was chosen as a single, especially after the huge change in line-up.

‘Soak It in Tragedy’ is a really beautiful instrumental, before segueing into ‘The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Violence’ and ‘Paranoia’. Both tracks are crushing and pack a punch, which is what Polar have been consistently delivering with this release.

‘Need_Want’ is almost desperate in its delivery. Lines of “I don’t need saving / I want to fall down” coupled with a female vocalist, who’s shining vocals are almost delicate compared to Woodford’s, is quite breath-taking and simply adds more depth and layers to this outstanding track.

Then there’s ‘Closing Curtain’, so aptly named for the finale. It doesn’t lose any of the tenacity and power that Polar have demonstrated throughout the course of ‘Five Arrows’, which is testament to the new blood injected into this group. Polar has absolutely nothing to fear when this album is released – fans will devour it in its entirety.

JESS TAGLIANI

Despite a stage time of 5.45pm – when many have barely had enough time to escape their offices, let alone get down to the university’s basement Club Academy venue – Great American Ghost fortunately still have a reasonably healthy crowd to witness their first venture into our city. Getting things started with a bang is a concept they seemingly take very seriously, and if you were to judge a band solely on the quality of their ‘blegh’, these guys would be topping the bill – and the rest of their energetic, dirty groove-laden metallic hardcore wouldn’t be far behind either, filled with gruesome breakdowns and the odd nu-metal influenced moment. It’s an almost unexpectedly attention-grabbing set from a band sure to be gaining themselves some new fans tonight.

With only 15 minute turnarounds between sets tonight, the stage becomes a flurry of activity before Aussies Alpha Wolf take to the stage. After the electric atmosphere of Great American Ghost’s set, this sounds a little more muted by comparison – but definitely no less brutal. With fast riffs and bruising vocals, the rapidly multiplying crowd are happy to respond with some of the first earnest pits of the night (“we’re in a university right now… I need you to get fucking stupid,” urges vocalist Lochie Keogh), and though it’s not the most memorable set, Alpha Wolf have definitely turned the heat up for the remainder of the night.

One of two Brit bands on the bill tonight, hardcore punk outfit Polar sweep in like a mammoth tidal wave with piercing, enticingly melodic riffs bolstering front man Adam Woodford’s rib-rattling yells. This is a set with determination written all over it, and it doesn’t take long before Woodford finds himself afloat on a sea of hands in the crowd. While backing vocals could do with a little improvement, this is a devastating assault of a performance that sets heads banging in a fashion that will probably result in the need for neck braces in the morning – and we’re not even half way through the night yet…

Fellow Brits Our Hollow Our Home follow swiftly with their classic melodic metalcore sound, making solid use of dual vocalists in the form of guitarist Tobi Young and front man Connor Hallisey. Young’s clean vocals are solid throughout, but it’s Hallisey who really steals the show with his constant energy and distinctive growls atop hefty breakdowns. It’s a set that also unleashes some of the first big singalong moments of the night with OHOH’s penchant for seriously anthemic choruses, and with the crowd now reaching a peak it’s exciting to see British bands more than holding their own on such a strong international line-up. With Our Hollow Our Home having steadily built their reputation through 2019, performances like this only go to prove how much rising talent we have in the UK scene.

If any band was going to stand out on tonight’s line-up, the inimitable King810 are that band. Once raising eyebrows as the ‘most dangerous band in the world’, King offer a unique take on metal and it’s undoubtedly a popular one with tonight’s crowd. Bringing a dose of spectacle as well as a slick performance and drops that are deep and all consuming, this is a fascinating set whether you enjoy the band or not – and, judging by the riotous reaction, most of tonight’s crowd are firmly in the former category. It’s an aggressive, ominous, blisteringly chaotic forty minutes, albeit one that sometimes feels a bit out of place in this night dominated by metalcore. The change of pace and mood keeps proceedings fresh, though, and for anyone new to King810… This is quite the introduction.

Modern metalcore seems to be finding itself a comfortable new home in Australia, and one of the bands rolling out the welcome parade is Byron Bay’s In Hearts Wake. If the response to King810 seemed enthusiastic, it’s nothing compared to the sheer madness that seems to strike the room as this five piece lay waste to the stage. Full of the kind of stage presence that helped make fellow Byron Bay locals Parkway Drive the global force they are today, In Hearts Wake throw down riff after thundering riff as front man Jake Taylor clambers into the crowd. Musically, there’s nothing especially unique here, and clean/backing vocals from Kyle Erich are a little hit and miss, but the power is in the delivery; this is an enjoyable set from an enigmatic band who are building themselves a faithful following, and their place on this line-up has been well earned.

By this point of the evening, it’s hard to remember a time we weren’t all tucked away in a windowless room listening to some of the world’s most punishing breakdowns, but there’s one more glittering gem in store tonight – and headliners Crystal Lake are about to blow everyone, and everything, else out of the water.

It’s only two years since the Japanese quintet first made their way over to Europe, and early in the set front man Ryo Kinoshita expresses their gratitude at having gone from playing to “twenty or thirty people” to this tonight. This rise can undoubtedly be attributed to what is unquestionably one of the most magnificent live performances on the circuit – from their almost impossible tightness, to the mindblowing energy and passion they display on stage from the first second to the last, theirs is a show to remember, and tonight is no exception. The band have packed their heaviest crowdpleasers into this 45 minute explosion of music, with Kinoshita’s vocals diving from melodic cries into fearsome, guttural roars at a moment’s notice; tracks from this year’s ‘Helix’ offer the  best demonstration of Crystal Lake’s staggering ability to fuse melody with the heaviest of metalcore, the depth of tracks like ‘Devilcry’ truly making this band stand out in a competitive genre.

Crystal Lake are, as Kinoshita takes a moment to point out, the first Asian band to ever headline the Never Say Die! tour – and nobody could put it better than the crowd, as a chant of “you deserve it!” goes up entirely unprompted. The passion of the five on stage reflects in the energy given out on the floor, despite nearing the end of an exhaustingly long night; the sound is huge, with a vibe to match, and as they close with the shattering ‘Apollo’, there can be no doubt that Crystal Lake are well on their way to a global takeover.

The only real shame is that the venue begins to empty partway through this final set of the night – with much of Manchester’s public transport ending soon after eleven, it’s not too surprising that many need to scarper, but it’s a crying shame that Crystal Lake aren’t able to perform their whole set to a full room. It’s a sign that perhaps next year, the line-up needs to be reined in a little to allow everyone ample opportunity to enjoy all the bands on offer – seven is, realistically, too many (though it would be a struggle to pick any artist we’d willingly cut from this year’s offering). Despite this minor misgiving, Never Say Die! have once again given us a night to remember, packed with names who’ll be making their way up plenty of festival line-ups in future. As for us? We’re ready for 2020 – bring it on.

GEM ROGERS

Hitting the UK for four dates in November as part of a Europe wide tour will be headliners and Japanese powerhouses Crystal Lake, supported by a stacked bill of In Hearts Wake, King810, and UK rising stars Our Hollow Our Home – as well as Polar, Alphawolf, and Great American Ghost.

Full dates for the tour are listed below – it’s set to be a show to remember, and tickets are available now here.

NOVEMBER
07 WIESBADEN Schlachthof
08 KÖLN Essigfabrik
09 EINDHOVEN Dynamo
10 SOUTHAMPTON Engine Rooms
11 BIRMINGHAM The Mill
12 MANCHESTER Club Academy
13 LONDON ULU
14 HASSELT Muziekodroom
15 HAMBURG Gruenspan
16 WROCLAW Pralnia
17 LEIPZIG Felsenkeller
18 BERLIN SO36
19 PRAGUE Futurum
21 WIEN Arena
22 MILAN Legend Club
23 MUNICH Backstage
24 PRATTELN 27
25 SAARBRUCKEN Garage
26 PARIS Le Trabendo

There anticipation is hot in the air as the lucky few who managed to grab tickets to this exclusive event, which sold out in under an hour, are kept entertained by Polar, the single support for this evening’s activities. Polar do a great job of warming up the crowd and are well received from this crowd. With power, energy and raw passion for doing what they love, they provide an excellent beginning for what lies ahead.

By the time the lights dim there isn’t room to move on the floor level of Underworld but no one cares, they’re here to scream their hearts out at Australia’s best export – Parkway Drive. Opening with new track ‘Wishing Well’ this isn’t a standing start, the band are energised and are quick to bring the positive vibes as they follow up with ‘Vice Grip’. The chant of “One Life, One Shot, Give It All You Got” must have been heard from miles around as it was deafening inside this packed out basement venue.

The last time Parkway Drive played Underworld it probably featured much of the same setlist as tonight as the band opt to celebrate ten years of ‘Horizons’ by playing a smattering of tracks from their breakthrough record. Other highlights include the monstrous sing-alongs of ‘Wild Eyes’ and other new single, ‘The Void’, which had only just been released for public consumption.

Stage diving a plenty in this room that has reached such a temperature the cool air bursting from the A/C is now visible to the naked eye. The band are tight musically and at times, it is almost some kind of joke that they’re doing this last minute show in Underworld, it is almost completely unbelievable. This band tearing apart a venue they used to frequent many years before.

Closing with ‘Bottom Feeder’ after 13 other tracks, they could have played all night. B-Sides, covers, anything from the back catalogue and no doubt everyone here would stick around for it, they really are just that good.  Catch Parkway Drive when you can next, rest assured that there isn’t a venue in Camden town that can hold them now, Wembley Arena or The Alexandra Palace beckons.

This follows up their 2016 third album ‘No Cure No Saviour’ on Prosthetic Records.

The band will also be playing the following UK shows with Counterparts and Napoleon.

NOVEMBER
11 BRIGHTON Patterns
12 CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach
13 DONCASTER Vintage Bar
14 NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
15 GLASGOW G2
16 MANCHESTER Rebellion
17 NEWCASTLE Think Tank
18 LONDON The Dome
19 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners

It is taken from their latest album, ‘You’re Not You Anymore’, which was released last week via Pure Noise Records.

They will also be playing the following UK shows.

NOVEMBER
11 BRIGHTON Patterns*
12 CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach*
13 DONCASTER Vintage Bar*
14 NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms*
15 GLASGOW G2*
16 MANCHESTER Rebellion*
17 NEWCASTLE Think Tank*
18 LONDON The Dome*
19 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners*
FEBRUARY 2018
02 LONDON Alexandra Palace w/ Architects + While She Sleeps

* w/ Polar + Napoleon

It is taken from the Canadian hardcore band’s upcoming new album, ‘You’re Not You Anymore’, which will be released on the 22nd September via Pure Noise Records.

They will also be playing the following UK shows.

NOVEMBER
11 BRIGHTON Patterns*
12 CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach*
13 DONCASTER Vintage Bar*
14 NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms*
15 GLASGOW G2*
16 MANCHESTER Rebellion*
17 NEWCASTLE Think Tank*
18 LONDON The Dome*
19 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners*
FEBRUARY 2018
02 LONDON Alexandra Palace w/ Architects + While She Sleeps

* w/ Polar + Napoleon

It is taken from the Canadian hardcore band’s upcoming new album, ‘You’re Not You Anymore’, which will be released on the 22nd September via Pure Noise Records.

They will also be playing the following UK shows.
NOVEMBER
11 BRIGHTON Patterns*
12 CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach*
13 DONCASTER Vintage Bar*
14 NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms*
15 GLASGOW G2*
16 MANCHESTER Rebellion*
17 NEWCASTLE Think Tank*
18 LONDON The Dome*
19 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners*
FEBRUARY 2018
02 LONDON Alexandra Palace w/ Architects + While She Sleeps

* w/ Polar + Napoleon

Sadly, Sundays can be hit or miss when it comes to attendance and unfortunately as London’s Counting Days get underway the audience numbers are still fairly slim. A shame, considering they rip through a mix of metallic hardcore numbers peppered with the odd post-rock segments, quite the contrast in comparison to their punishing break downs.

Taking the stage to a dubstep track that appears to make the speaker stacks wobble, Polar bring a sorely needed testosterone injection to the show. From the off, their energy levels are sky high and although there are now more bodies in the room, a majority of them are still only just waking up. As frontman Adam Woodford splits the crowd down the middle as they attempt to create a ‘wall of death’, a ballsy move to pull on your opening number. Although the attempt doesn’t quite go to plan and ends up more along the lines of ‘wall of mild inconvenience’, Polar’s persistence to get those in attendance fully on board soon pays off. Their reverb heavy and layered vocals are further emphasised by a guest appearance from Harvey Freeman (Giants, Snakes) making tonight’s performance one they can be proud of as well as proving themselves to be one tough act to follow.

Having recently released their album ‘Mad Season’, Canada’s Obey The Brave keep the wheels turning and the energy levels up high as they burst into action without a moment’s hesitation. Taking no prisoners, their lively performance literally brings down part of the back drop as they tear through tracks such as ‘On Thin Ice’ and ‘Drama’, clearly two fan favourites from the new record.

Despite having the general swagger of a rapper as opposed to the frontman of a hardcore / metalcore band, vocalist Alex Erian maintains a commanding presence whilst stirring up the crowd. OTB performance is sickeningly slick as their breakdowns, cavorting riffs and stadium size gang chants keep the crowd moving to the end, demonstrating that they’re not a band to be slept on and are absolutely brimming with potential.

Despite the fact that the number of people at tonight’s show was somewhat less than expected, the gig will remain all the more special for those that did attend. It’s not every day that such an intimate showcase of staunch, ardent, up and coming bands passes through, don’t blink or you might just miss it.

JAMES DAVENPORT