LIVE FROM THE PIT: Graphic Nature, Frozemode and Greysight
- Amy Smyth
- May 3
- 4 min read
Thursday night for a group of London metalheads was one of the most insane gigs in the alternative space this year. GRAPHIC NATURE played a sold out headline show at The Dome and the energy was electric. In the past year alone GRAPHIC NATURE have supported bands like THROWN and STRAY FROM THE PATH and played a multitude of festivals including Download, Slamdunk and 2000trees.
Their momentum is far from slowing down with the start of a new era marked with the release of their new single Faceless and this one off special show in the city centre. Supported by GREYSIGHT and FROZEMODE, just the line up alone signaled the chaos that was to come.
GREYSIGHT hailing from Leeds are a metalcore quartet that are unapologetically heavy and emotionally charged. Their music is cathartic and brought devastation to the venue. Being the first of three to the stage it can be difficult to get the crowd moving, but these guys had no issues.
Throughout their set the rage of the crowd manifested into mosh pits and even crowd surfers emerged at times. The band brought their A-game, owning the stage as if it was their own, a perfect start to the night.
Next to take to the stage was the uniquely brutal FROZEMODE with a layout rarely seen in metal – the band have three frontmen that all spread their vocals between them. Their music bridges gaps between grime, trap and metal which of course has been done before, but these guys really brought their own flavour to it.
With three different front men spreading the hype between them, the bouncing off of each other transferred to the crowd. Constant mosh pits, stage divers and a noticeable amount of fans that might not have known the tracks but caught along with the infectiousness of the music. With the amount of energy in the room, it was hard to believe that they weren't headliners, but of course the real headliners were on their way to somehow top that.
GRAPHIC NATURE made their way to the stage with ear bursting cheers and the thunderous extended intro of their song Into The Dark. Each member made their way onto the stage with a roar louder than the last, until the full track finally began. At that moment, an eruption of energy hit the venue with instant mosh pits, crowd surfers and two-steppers.
Frontman Harvey made the stage his own, getting close and personal with fans up at the front, screaming the lyrics along with the fans lined at the front of the stage. The band often messing around with each other clearly displaying their chemistry and excitement to be on the stage. Having been active since 2018, their connection on stage is polished along with their showmanship, knowing how to hype the crowd and the right timing being art itself.
During one of the few short breaks in the set, Harvey asked if anyone had seen GRAPHIC NATURE before, which got a loud cheer, then if anyone hadn't seen them before which got a much quieter cheer. It speaks volumes to their fan base, with most of the fans in the crowd returning to see them again, they're clearly a band that is worth seeing again and again just for the atmosphere. Perhaps the night would convince those new crowd members to return just as it has for the rest of the room.
Their setlist compiled all of their most popular songs from their two albums like N.F.A, Killing Floor and Locked In. They also performed their shiny new single Faceless which translates great live, their bass hits hard and the distorted guitars ripped through the venue. A moment of call and response saw the crowd joining in right on queue, most of the crowd knowing the lyrics despite its very recent release.
The crowd's energy didn't falter for a moment, even instrumental breaks caused the initiation of circle and mosh pits. Stage divers were constantly invading and launching into the crowd all while not missing a beat, shouting every word and clearly connecting with lyrics that explore themes of self worth and feeling different to those around you. Speeches from Harvey brought the crowd together and - despite the rage in the music - the room radiated connection and acceptance, a place where everyone was free to be themselves.
One final speech saw the band massively thanking the crowd for turning up and giving their energy. The setlist concluded with the tracks Bad Blood and Fractured, but the crowd weren't happy with the ending. Chanting for an encore and not letting the band say no, a “Okay let us take a picture first then we'll play another” sounded through the venue, as Harvey finally gave in.
The show finally concluded with a replay of their new track Faceless and caused even more carnage than the last. As the lights came up, people ran to the bar for refreshments, as they wiped sweat and fanned their flushed faces. Others rushed to merch stands, as the openers FROZEMODE and GREYSIGHT were at theirs to meet fans, eventually followed by the headliners thanking fans, taking photos and signing merchandise, their appreciation for the fans continuing to shine through.
GRAPHIC NATURE owned the night, but this is just the start of their year and we can't wait to see what they have in store.
Words and photos: Amy Smyth
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