UNIFY: Off The Record – Gig Review 27th May @ Uni Bar Wollongong, NSW
UNIFY Off the Record
Wollongong, NSW
May 27, 2023
Featuring: Thy Art is Murder, Make Them Suffer, Ocean Grove, Yours Truly, Fit For an Autopsy, Bloom, Banks Arcade, Reliqa, Alienist, and Raised as Wolves.
Unlike previous years, UNIFY has hit the road for a regional run across the country with different lineups each day. The sold out lineup at Wollongong NSW featured some of the best Australian bands in the business, as well as an international icon. UNIFY: Off The Record made it known that inclusivity was known, as AUSLAN interpreters were on stage alongside every single band. With this on hand, it was sure that every attendee would have a fantastic day.
Raised as Wolves brought their guitar-driven melodies to kick things off for the day. Wollongong/Sydney based, this band had a local following forming an already interested and active crowd, fuelled by groovy guitars and raw punky vocals.
Alienist drew more eyes than that of a local crowd, as the Wollongong metalcore act turned up the energy providing the first pit calls of the day. With vocals and guitar influences from 2000s metalcore, modern clean vocals, and fun breakdowns change things up a little and induced the first of many circle pits and walls of death for the day.
Reliqa were next to hit the stage, and they were a showcase of technically inventive and powerful Sydney progressive metal. All of the instrumentals left me genuinely in awe, whether it be the intense bass skills of Miles Knox, erratic drumming from Benjamin Knox, and fast guitars from Brandon Lloyd. Pair this with the varied and beautiful voice of vocalist Monique Pym, and you can see why Reliqa is an unmissable act on any stage.
Banks Arcade has a boppier style of heavy music that was invigorating to watch. Combining various punk, metal, and rock influences to create a unique sound full of groove and the occasional heavy hitter, Banks Arcade made their mark on UNIFY: Off The Record loud and unforgettable.
Bloom showed up in style, kicking a powerful and more violent portion of the evening. The celebrated Sydney metalers unleashed their established brand of melodic hardcore on UNIFY attendees, with moshes and circle pits aplenty. Bloom are truly passionate performers and it's easy to understand why they command every venue they play in.
Fit For an Autopsy delivered by far my favourite set of the evening. I was stoked to see them for the first time on their headliner tour last year, however seeing them at UNIFY: Off The Record was a next-level performance. Familiar bangers such as 'Black Mammoth' and my new favourite track 'Hellions' were delivered perfectly on stage, with frontman Joe Badolato showing exemplary vocal range and power throughout. The accompanying instrumentals resonated on a grand scale throughout the venue, after the set concluded I couldn't help but believe I'd witnessed something truly incredible.
Yours Truly changed things up a notch. Sure they were far from the heaviest band on the lineup but this didn't stop the pop-punk trio from continuing the party. Despite some mild audio issues, the show went on featuring singalongs to favourites from recent releases Is This What I Look Like? and Self Care. A standout on the lineup, and a standout performance for the evening.
Make Them Suffer began a hectic trio of perfect sets to conclude the night. Currently on their Neverbloom 10th Anniversary Tour (our Brisbane coverage here), Wollongong audiences were treated to a celebration of the band's entire career. Historic tracks like 'Elegies' and 'Weeping Wastelands' were played alongside 'Hollowed Heart' and 'Bones' and were delivered with ferocious intensity. Looking to the future of the band, unforgettable performances of the newest singles 'Ghost of Me' and 'Doomswitch' followed, before closing out with the emotional 'Erase Me'. Tears streamed down my face as the crowd screamed in unison the closing title lyrics, and I could not be keener to regularly see Make Them Suffer in the future.
Ocean Grove blew my damn mind. I am a huge fan of Flip Phone Fantasy and I was incredibly stoked to party along to tracks like 'JUNKIE$', 'SUNNY', and 'ASK FOR THE ANTHEM'. My first exposure to their latest album came in the form of electric performances of tracks such as 'BORED', 'CALI SUN' and 'SEX DOPE GOLD' and I had the time of my life. Despite my unfamiliarity, I found myself singing along and having a boogie. I loved when Dale Tanner and Twiggy Hunter swapped vocal and bass duties for 'NEO', adding a whole new dynamic to the performance. This set confirmed for me that Ocean Grove is a captivating and unmissable live act for any fan of music.
Thy Art Is Murder are the Australian deathcore kings, it was only fit for them to headline this event. UNIFY: Off The Record is one stop on the band's regional run (which I caught the Albury stop of the night prior), so I was curious to see how their UNIFY performance would stand out. Thy Art Is Murder is an extremely polished live act, that played some of their best material at the top of their game. Reminiscent of the Decade of Hate tour earlier this year, hearing the opener 'Reign of Darkness' instantly makes you excited for what you're about to witness. An exceptional record-spanning journey from 'Human Target' to 'Death Squad Anthem', Thy Art Is Murder hit hard with powerful blast beats and master-class solos. CJ McMahon delivered some anecdotes in classic CJ style, urging the support for Australian music to continue. The sold-out crowd chanted out to my favourite track 'Holy War' before the band closed the evening with 'Puppet Master'. It was a cold night but the fire that Thy Art Is Murder lit burned passionately with every punter.
While I'd be keen to make it to a UNIFY Gathering one day, UNIFY: Off The Record in Wollongong proved to be an exemplary showcase of Australian and international music across multiple genres. I cannot wait to see what is in store for the future of UNIFY.
Written by Tyler Lubke
UNIFY: Off The Record 2023
June 1
Hobart TAS
Odeon Theatre
w/ Alpha Wolf, In Hearts Wake, Void Of Vision
Redhook, Offset Vision
June 2
Frankston VIC
The Pier
w/ Northlane, In Hearts Wake, Make The Suffer
Redhook, Fit For An Autopsy, Ocean Sleeper
Mirrors, Chasing Ghosts, Banks Arcade, Future Static
