LIVE FROM THE PIT: Fear Factory, Crystal Lake, Hate and The Nocturnal Affair

Four behemoth yet utterly different rock bands on one bill is something to be excited about. So when FEAR FACTORY announced a tour with three equally as talented support acts, it’s easy to see how the shows sold out so quickly. 

THE NOCTURNAL AFFAIR took to the stage early with a rousing drum solo introduction. The perfect blend of dark emotion and cinematic energy, the Las Vegas rockers started the night with a guttural punch of modern rock. Vocalist Brendan Shane has a brilliant blend of melancholy and devastation with his singing and screams, perfectly complimented by the other four members of the band. Dramatic breakdowns and head banging in unison makes the set feel somewhat theatrical. It’s often sad to see a band with so much talent play to a less than full audience due to the early start time. Ending with a cover of the dance track What Is Love, THE NOCTURNAL AFFAIR took advantage and showcased their talents to the ever-filling room leaving the stage with the majority of the audience present. 

Next up were Polish extreme metal band HATE. Formed in 1990, they are a band that have 11 albums under their belt and could easily be dubbed a band of European legends. Taking to a stage that is flooded with bright red and white light, they start as they mean to go on, by commanding the audience and dominating the stage. Vocalist Adam Buszko gives an air of black metal Zakk Wylde with his hair flying whilst stood behind a dramatic microphone stand. Inciting a fists-in-the-air response from the crowd, the audience lapped up each breakdown, guitar solo, and riff coming from the stage. It’s hard to deny that this band is anything but polished and consistent, with each song performed perfectly with seemingly little effort. 

Japanese metalcore band CRYSTAL LAKE were third on the bill. Oozing energy and angst from the moment they stepped onto stage. Demanding circle pits and performing in a way that could have landed them in the headline spot in any other show. Refined vocals, slick riffs and breakdowns, and energy that exudes from the whole venue, the room was alive. Giving vibes reminiscent of PARKWAY DRIVE and HATEBREED, CRYSTAL LAKE are paving the way for what metalcore should be. By the time songs Aeon and Prometheus appeared, the audience were captivated and moshing like crazy. The addition of vocalist PK this year has only elevated the band into the next level of metalcore and CRYSTAL LAKE are here to stay. 

Finally the headliners took to the stage. Having been a band for nearly 40 years, FEAR FACTORY are one of the veterans of industrial metal. Stepping onto the stage filled with industrial rigging to a sold out audience, you could feel the excitement in the air as Acres Of Skin filled the venue. Fists were thrown in the air as vocalist Milo Silvestro powered through song after song with flawless perfectionism. Audience members screamed the lyrics to each song back with heads nodding in synchronicity. Crowd surfers soared over the crowd whilst pits swirled with movement in a scene of beautiful chaos. 

Rolling through their back catalogue, fans new and old were welcomed to songs such as Edgecrusher, Invisible Wounds, and Arise Above Oppression. Each song was performed with pure professionalism, encouraging the audience to let loose in each breakdown, and instrumental moment. Taking time to talk to the audience, the band had time to truly take in the magnitude of the impact their music has had on their fans. The night felt like an opportunity for the band to pay back to their fans with the opening bars of each song being met with rapturous applause. With a guest appearance from HATE's vocalist Adam Buszco, it truly was nothing short of a celebration. Closing the night with Replica, Resurrection, and a cover of GARY NUMAN’s Cars, the show felt like FEAR FACTORY have not only put on one of their best shows, but also that hard work, determination, and talent will always make for a spectacular band.  

Words: Laura Davies

Photos: Ace Cheng