Earlier this month, I had adventured down to Bristol to catch Profiler, Northlane and headliners Whitechapel. It was the first time that I had stepped into the Electric venue, a 1,100-capacity space, that despite its size, it felt like a strange comfort for me. Maybe it is because I am from the Southwest myself, or maybe it was the collected anticipation and almost anxious excitement in the air as eager fans waited. As nobody quite knew what the night would bring, but we were all ready to be thrown into it. One thing that I knew was clear, was that this wasn’t going to be an ordinary show. Given that all three bands are so drastically different from one another, it was a lineup that shouldn’t have worked but absolutely did. A dark horse, so to speak.
The first act of the night was nu-metal band Profiler, and hailing from Bristol itself meant that this hometown show would mean a lot for them to perform. I’d listened to them before, but this was my first time seeing them live, and their energy was immediate. Drawing inspiration from the early 2000s nu-metal bands like Linkin Park, Deftones and Limp Bizkit. As Profiler entered onto the stage, pink lighting washed over, mirroring their evolving aesthetic. They launched into a set filled with nu-metal riffs, deep reverb, and a raw intensity that felt both nostalgic, fresh and with a contemporary twist. Especially, with vocalist and guitarist Mike Evans’ contrast of hip-hop-inspired vocal delivery to being emotive and socially charged. Songs landed with force, proving they could translate their recorded sound into something even more immersive live, with bass-heavy layers and evoking shades of the band Ocean Grove in sound. Songs on the set like Zero hinted at a band not afraid to blend ambience with aggression. Overall, they are definitely a rising force in the UK’s alternative heavy music scene, and I look forward to seeing what they do as a band next.
Next up was the Australian metalcore band Northlane, and if anyone knows me personally, then you will know that I am a massive fan of them. So, when I found out that they were touring alongside Whitechapel, I jumped straight at the opportunity to see them live once again. Northlane have long been a staple of the Australian metalcore scene, but what sets them apart is their creative outlook.
From the moment Northlane entered onto the stage, I immediately got goosebumps. Since the shift in the atmosphere was undeniable. As they entered the stage, the energy just exploded as the first song, Carbonized, brought a cathartic and brutal opener. Allowing vocalist Marcus Bridge to showcase his insane range of going from industrial rage to emotional urgency. Starting their set with a dark and intensive tone. Their song 4D showcases the audience their experimental and synth-driven tone. Where drummer Nic Petterson shines through as the pace picks up with his drumming, especially during the intro and when it hits his solo near the end of the track. Making it one of my favourite songs on the set. Dante makes for a deeply introspective, emotional, and poetic song. Seen in the lyrics, “I can’t forget what I regret / But I accept my punishment”. As it is about losing someone and the grief that comes with it.
A standout moment was their performance of the Solar remix, which acted as a serene and ethereal interlude among the chaos. Its ambient layers offered a brief, captivating breath before launching back into heavier territory. Special mention here to guitarist Jonathan Deiley, who never fails to help create their electronic-infused cinematic soundscape, which sounds like something out of The Matrix yet also remains deeply rooted in raw and honest emotion. Creating an immersive experience where, at times, it felt like I was stepping into a futuristic dance club where metal meets EDM in hypnotic harmony. Clockwork was Northlane’s last chance to connect and show the audience what they are made of. It was a track that blended existential lyrics and glitchy beats.
Overall, Northlane, especially to me, are more than a band you just hear. They are a band, you feel. As a band, they consistently push beyond genre boundaries, crafting their own futuristic universe through sound and visuals. It’s as if they have built a cyberpunk world, and with every show, they personally invite the audience inside. If you ever get the chance to see them Northlane live, do not hesitate. You won’t regret it.
Finally, it was time for the Tennessee deathcore band Whitechapel. As soon as I saw the satanic-like backdrop, I felt like I was dragged into the depths of hell in the most exhilarating and frightening way possible. Whitechapel didn’t just take the stage. They transformed it into a dark, unnerving and ominous atmosphere. The lighting, a mixture of red and blue, flashed as if it were a warning sign. Prisoner 666 came out in pure deathcore fashion, as it was fast, relentless and the drums with machine-like precision. Hearing vocalist Phil Bozeman’s guttural vocals was so intense. It was like something demonic had possessed him. From that moment, this was easily the heaviest show I’ve ever experienced.
Mosh pits did not have to be called; they instantly opened, with the circle pits spinning violently in time with the music, and at one point during the performance, someone near me even got a nosebleed, as it was just pure carnage. The energy was animalistic. People reached out to the vocalist like he held the key to something beyond this world. Hymns In Dissonance continued this intense atmosphere, as it was led with annihilating vocals from Bozeman’s, which hit you instantly and the added element of disorientating and tremolo riffs. During their performance, a constant wave of crowd surfers worshipped the band as they made their way to the front. Ex Infernis was an interlude song that made the atmosphere feel apocalyptic. It contained a haunting, devil-like chord progression, setting the tone of inner torment, being trapped, and with no way out.
After this came a brief pause, and the room fell silent. As the audience knew what was about to come. Bozeman entered the stage again, showcasing the cult-like mask from the cover of Hymns In Dissonance as if he was transforming himself into a beast, roaring and stretching his arms, becoming the leader for everyone to follow. Hate Cult Ritual followed suit, in which it felt like the gates of hell had cracked open as the hypnotic and ritual sounding lyrics of “We hunt, we kill, we feast, we conquer” lingered in the air. Showcasing technically intricate instrumentals from each of the six members, who all brought their own presences to the chaos. Ending their set with the song The Saw Is The Law, depicting a layer of groove-dominant, riff-driven tone paired with harsh vocals. By the end of the performance, everyone was all drenched in adrenaline.
Overall, all three of the bands came together to create a night that was as unpredictable as it was unforgettable. Profiler brought the local pride and reverb-drenched sound; Northlane delivered emotional chaos with a touch of futuristic flair; and Whitechapel… well, the only thing I can say about Whitechapel, is that they brought hell on earth. And we loved every second of it.
Words by Zena Morris
