LIVE FROM THE PIT: Headbussa, Negative Frame, Not Without Punishment, Rekrucify, Warden and So Far So Good

Most will probably know HEADBUSSA from their support slot for KNOCKED LOOSE a couple years ago, some will know them for sharing line-ups with SUNAMI, by the end of this gig, we know them for a brand of hardcore that kicks you in the teeth with no apology, with 6 bands on the lineup this show certainly packed a punch.

First up were London Hardcore 5-piece SO FAR SO GOOD, these self proclaimed ‘Evilcore’ certainly lived up to that moniker; with kick drums that sounded like a machine gun, riffs crunchier than an autumn leaf and vocals so dark they served as a perfect juxtaposition to the Hello Kitty on the bassists t-shirt, with an incredible energy that set the bar for the rest of the night, these lot were a great little set indeed.

Next up, Essex/Kent Hardcore band WARDEN took to the stage. They sucked in more crowd for a lot more of an aggressive set that perfectly suited the demonic screams of the singer, the gutturals were insanely impressive. Still, the true extent of this wasn't revealed until WARDEN whipped out a cover of Pray For Plagues by BRING ME THE HORIZON, uniting the hardcore and deathcore elements of their band for a cover that turned the place upside down and had everyone getting involved in the pit.

After them was a very short set from REKRUCIFY but the duration only showcased how hard these guys go; two singers meant double the fun quite honestly, one higher, one lower in the screams to make a perfect contrast. This also meant they shared the super intense songs making for double the energy and a really amazing crowd reaction that had everyone getting involved, they really commanded the crowd and really set up the next band for a great set.

Southampton-based NOT WITHOUT PUNISHMENT came after, and here is where the night got really dangerous, the singer came on immediately crowd-killing and moshing just to really set the bar; the rage and aggression emanating from this band was reciprocated very quickly with the biggest pit of the night so far, so many arms and legs went flying, it was honestly insane to look at. It’s safe to say that the singer of this one had the most insane and intense energy of all frontmen playing that night, really bringing their bombastic energy out to play. 

Following them, London Hardcore group NEGATIVE FRAME showed the crowd how dangerous hardcore shows can really get, the band played quite non-chalantly which showed how talented they are being able to play such intense music with such ease. They commanded the crowd into complete chaos, if anyone thought the previous band had a lethal pit, NEGATIVE FRAME sent the crowd into a frenzy that had the floor of New Cross Inn bouncing, kicks flying and lots of crowd interaction. The heat really got turned up when the bassist dropped his instrument and took over vocals for a song, many more joined the pit, stage divers started appearing and all hell was let loose ready for the headliner.

Finally HEADBUSSA arrived for their headline slot for a set of pure speed, adrenaline and rage came with the presence of this band; this French hardcore group absolutely do not mess around, around a 25 minute set was all they needed to make the place erupt, no one in the venue was stood still for them as they bounced up and down through a serious level of technical instrumentals that left no one unimpressed. The level of energy was genuinely of the scale, from crowdkilling, pitting and stage diving, it was a real testament to the level of passion, dedication and loyalty behind hardcore. It’s safe to say that if HEADBUSSA comes back to the UK, they will turn the place into a frenzy and the crowd will certainly help with that feat.  

Words and Photos: Ben Blissett