LIVE FROM THE PIT: Profiler, Black Coast and InRetrospect

There's something uniquely electric about grassroots live music venues, the kind of intimate bars where you can feel the sweat drip from the ceiling and the bass reverberate through your chest. This is where the future of music is forged, where bands are not separated from their audience by barriers and distance from the stage, but rather share the same cramped space, the same charged atmosphere. PROFILER, INRETROSPECT and BLACK COAST’s performances on Wednesday night at The Black Heart exemplified exactly why these smaller venues matter, delivering a night of unrelenting nu-metal energy that left no room for indifference.

Opening the night, Leeds-based INRETROSPECT wasted no time in establishing the evening's tone. From the first moment they took the stage, their energy was infectious, with constant crowd interaction that made it clear they were not there to simply fill time before the main act. "We're here to get you warmed up for PROFILER," they announced, though their performance suggested they were there to make their own mark. The band's sound blended metalcore elements with electronic production touches, in a quintessential nu-metal fashion, whilst guitarist JAMES BAYLIFFE delivered insane screams that cut through the mix. BAYLIFFE and lead vocalist NATHAN BIDDLES traded clean singing duties, creating a contrasting dynamic that kept the set engaging.

When they commanded the audience to squat en masse, it became clear there was no room to merely be a bystander in the crowd. The intimacy of the venue made such interaction possible, with one-hundred people around you feeling the music just as much as the band are. "We haven't had anyone this hyped for us," they confessed, their genuine surprise and gratitude warming the hearts of everyone around them. A small mosh pit and circle pit formed during their set, a preview of the chaos to come.

BLACK COAST, the nu-metal outfit from Stoke-on-Trent, took the stage next with a heavier approach. Formed from the ashes of BET IT ALL and DEAD CITY SOULS in 2016, the band has carved out a space in the nu-metal revival scene, though their sound leaned less on the rap elements typical of the genre. Their mix of clean and dirty vocals showcased impressive scream technique, whilst jungle drums collided with metal strings in that quintessentially nu-metal way. There were hints of the heavier elements of metalcore in their sound, particularly on their sixth song, demonstrating the band's ability to incorporate aspects of modern metalcore into the nu-metal framework. The audience response grew as their set progressed, with pre-existing fans singing along and another mosh pit erupting. The final song featured a call-and-response between audience claps and drum fills, and by this point, you could tell that the audience were fully prepared for PROFILER’s arrival.

PROFILER, the Bristolian headliners, took to the stage ready to validate the evening's hype. Established in 2017 as frontman MIKE EVANS’ solo project before evolving into a full band with JOE JOHNSON on bass, JACOB ANDREWS on drums, and JAY EVANS on guitar, PROFILER represents the heart of the nu-metal revival. Fresh off releasing their debut album A Digital Nowhere and their latest EP Masquerading Self, they delivered quintessential 2000s-era nu-metal with punchy vocals, commanding screams, and signature rap-inflected verses. EVANS' voice carried that early 2000s quality that defined the genre, whilst JOHNSON and JAY EVANS wielded seven-string guitars and six-string bass to create that deep, heavy sound. Consumed showcased their range, building from mellow beginnings into djent-influenced heaviness and textures.

Identified from their newest EP leaned more towards metalcore, with clean vocals that had the crowd singing along. The bassist appeared nearly trance-like in his performance, lost in the music. "You guys are beautiful, thank you so fucking much," EVANS told the crowd before launching into their heavy, energetic closer. The inevitable encore brought Feeler, a crushing finale complete with side-to-side hand waves, growls, and a massive breakdown that played beautifully into nu-metal's established tropes.

Perhaps the most telling aspect of the night was seeing all the bands hanging out at the bar after their sets, mingling with fans without pretense. The venue was crowded but not completely full, with space at the back for those who preferred observation to participation. This is where music remains personal, where bands and audiences share the same space and the same passion. PROFILER's show was a reminder that grassroots venues are the beating heart of the music industry, giving room for musicians and fans alike to flourish.

Words and photos: Atoosa Salamat