LIVE FROM THE PIT: I Prevail, Polaris and GORE

With playful banter and declaring that “we are all a family here”, I PREVAIL continue to perform to their hearts content on the UK leg of their tour. With their last appearance being at Slam Dunk 2024 and last tour in 2023, I PREVAIL seized the opportunity to play their latest album, Violent Nature. The American metalcore and pop punk band chose to play Alexandra palace for their UK tour, exciting fans with a fully standing pit. Joining the tour were Texas metalcore band, GORE, and Australian metalcore band, POLARIS, both ecstatic to perform to a London crowd.

A half-full venue had quickly transformed as the crowd poured in, setting the stage for an energetic performance by GORE. Haley Roughton effortlessly switched between angelic clean vocals and ripping screams, compelling the crowd through audience interaction. Alluding to their upcoming EP, …Then You Cannot Love Me, their latest release Crucified compelled the crowd to dance along to their catchy track. Striking moments were formed as phone flashlights were raised, creating an intimate connection between fans and GORE. The closing song Babylon, a clear fan favourite, brought an explosion of energy from both the crowd and the band. As the atmosphere in the room lightened, the set was too short, fans couldn’t wait to see GORE again.

Opening with an atmospheric intro, POLARIS had ignited excitement across the floor. They made full use of the higher platform, adding another dimension to an already visually striking set. With synchronised head banging from the band, the crowd matched their energy perfectly with energetic movement. The throat slashing vocals were impeccable, while mesmerising guitar riffs gave the performance plenty of weight. Whenever no other instruments were being played, a spotlight isolated the lead singer, putting complete focus on the vocals and creating some spectacular moments. Tracks such as All Of This Is Fleeting, Inhumane and Hypermania had allowed the crowd to scream every lyric back. With the band urging for crowd interactions, the audience didn’t disappoint. Forming wall of deaths, circle pits and uniformed “Hey Hey” chants; the once calm room had erupted into chaos. Crowd surfers were in full motion as the venue continued to fill, creating a set that felt increasingly explosive. With limited time POLARIS had on stage, eight songs had satisfied the crowd as they hope to see the Australian band another time.

With the venue almost at capacity, I PREVAIL kicked things off with a glitchy opening that immediately had the audience hyped. The production has fans gasping. Pyro was seamlessly worked into the stage design, while five wall flags featuring the latest album created a striking backdrop. Even the drummer and bassist’s platforms featured screens, adding another layer to the visuals. Bow Down was an early highlight as the crowd was sent into a frenzy two songs into the set. Crowd interaction and on stage banter allowed the audience to feel more connected.

Special surprises arose as Jamie from POLARIS join the band onstage during Violent Nature, an incredible performance of the tour title track. The talented collaborations continued as the lead vocalist of GORE joining them for Paradise, complimenting two distinctive vocals in one. Pop goes Punk is well recognised within the scene and I PREVAIL acknowledge their impact through the cover of Blank Space, a performance that remains a highlight to many. Whilst the band were ecstatic about continuous crowd surfers that flowed between songs, most of the crowd had obtained a preserved posture. Closing with fan favourites, Hurricane and Gasoline, the crowd were ready to release some rage. The weekend was fast approaching to recover, enjoying the last few minutes was crucial. With a great way to start the weekend, I PREVAIL had performed at the historical building with fans wondering when they’d next be back.

Words: Theviya R Karunaharan

Photos: Isaac Laing