What a night. When a big venue sells out, you know you’re in for something special — and what thrown and their touring crew cooked up that evening was nothing short of astronomical. It was an insanely loud, violent night filled with breakdowns that shook the walls, and the crowd went a bit wild to the sounds of their favourite artists. The Excessive Guilt Tour is still ripping through Europe, but the moments we witnessed at the Electric Ballroom in Camden will stick with us for a long time.
Graphic Nature kicked things off. Being a UK-based nu-metalcore band, this was their home turf, and their popularity is growing by the day. Heavily influenced by the early 2000s “nu” movement, their sound channels the likes of Korn and Slipknot in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Their 8-song set captured that energy perfectly. Their down-tuned guitars, chaotic riffs, and electronic samples created a wall of sound that was both brutal and strangely beautiful. They embodied the energy locked in a couple of cans of Red Bull. Highlight tracks from their set included “Sour” and “Fractured” — songs that sound like they were ripped straight out of the early noughties. If you’re new to them, start there.
I could write about UnityTX for hours — I genuinely love this band. There’s something deliciously reckless about them that hits just right. Ferality is one of my most-played albums — it’s dangerous and, frankly, you shouldn’t be operating heavy machinery when listening to it; it should come with a warning. On stage, the band doesn’t flirt with the crowd — it’s more like a dare, a provocation, a protest. They make you feel seen if you’re someone who’s ever felt like a walking red flag. Their 9-song set was pure Rock Sh!t, packed with heavy hitters like “World of Malice”, “Heinous”, and the anti-love anthem “Diamond Diez.” Their mix of hardcore and hip-hop is juicy and delicious — a perfect mash-up that had the whole room bouncing. Thick basslines and crunchy riffs paired with clever hooks of the vocals made their set fly as if was fueled on high-octane extreme sport.
Things took a turn in the second half of the night. After two wild bands already ticked off the list — and surely quite a few pints down — the main area suddenly had no space left. The crowd was bubbling with energy radiating from the centre of the room. Everyone was waiting for the next act: Crystal Lake. Sweet Caroline was blasting through the speakers, and people were singing along like there was no tomorrow. Then the lights dimmed, and everything made a full 180 turn toward the edges of insanity. Crystal Lake doesn’t hold back. Their energy feels like standing in the middle of a thunderstorm on top of a mountain. Their take on metalcore is so intense it feels like they’re using sonic weapons, not instruments. One of the heaviest bands out there right now, they rinsed everyone with their 9-song set, launching into us with “BlüdGod,” their newest single — a track that has us all anticipating their next album. I have to compliment their drummer, Gaku Taura, who delivered an incredible playthrough — so effortlessly entertaining, he was almost jumping out of his seat. “Denial” was another highlight for many in the room. After that point, a good few people left the mosh pit with bloody noses or in desperate need of icing their bruised limbs and heads.
When the time came for thrown to take the reins of the stage, you’d think people had enough — but nope. Their set sparked an explosion. Even I, along with other photographers at the back of the room, found myself moshing intensely. This hardcore punk/metalcore headliner has crafted instantly recognisable hooks — you find yourself screaming along from the very first note. Excessive Guilt is an incredible album, released in 2024 — a heavy 20-minute short that’s anything but sweet with its pure, unfiltered rage that propelled them into headlining world tours in such a short time. Watching them on stage, even in sharp white lights or deep blue tones, you can tell they’re intentional. The way they engage with the audience shows how much they respect this opportunity. They’re working hard not to lose control of the fast-moving rollercoaster they’re on. Their set included nearly their whole discography, saving fan favourites for the end: “on the verge”, “so done”, and a massive closer with “grayout.” There’s something about their sound that completely swallows you — it’s like being wrapped like burrito in a weighted blanket. It’s hard to describe. Their music feels comforting in a way that’s a bit unhinged, a little wild. It’s comfort in discomfort — and it works.
The tour isn’t over yet — the four bands are still tearing through mainland Europe. So if you missed them this time, don’t worry. thrown will be back for round two in June, ripping through the festival season. For dates and info, check the bands’ socials!