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UNEARTH
+ The Ascended + Complexant
+ Falcifier + Those Left Behind
@ Enigma Bar, Adelaide
20th January 2023
(Live Review)

Review by Kayla Hamilton

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Tokyo, Japan, January 2023 // Photo – @whitey_umeda

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After a sold-out tour in Japan, Massachusetts metalcore icons Unearth touched down in Australia. Adelaide was the first stop in a tour that has been delayed since 2020, and while it was a small crowd, the people in attendance were die-hard passionate fans.

Kicking off the show was the local metalcore act Those Left Behind. The guys from Those Left Behind had a tough job performing for that Friday post-work crowd, especially since not everybody had made their way in yet. They did not let this stop them from putting everything into their set. After a few lacklustre attempts of getting the crowd moving and getting everybody in for a ‘first gig of the year’ selfie, the second half of their set powered home. A band that’s one to keep an eye on.

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Tokyo, Japan, January 2023 // Photo – @whitey_umeda

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Sydney Deathcore band Complexant was next up and if Those Left Behind’s set was energetic, then Complexant were off the hook. The Enigma Bar stage barely could keep them in and the crowd was starting to finally get moving- but it was still a battle. Despite this, they soldiered on and delivered an extremely heavy set. Drummer Sebastian Su was a real standout, with some out-of-this-world speed and heaviness.

One of the best things about this show was it felt like a real throwback to the early days of the metalcore genre. Where bands sat between styles and instead of getting a back-to-back line-up of one style- it was a real blend of death metal, hardcore, metal and old-school metalcore sounds. When Adelaide hardcore band Falcifier hit the stage- it was very nostalgic to be hit with that juxtaposition. With a classic hardcore sound that takes some unexpected turns, they have that real kick-in-you-in-the-face style. The hardcore fans that had been chomping at the bit finally were let loose in this set and it was great to finally see some good old action in the pit. Spin kicks, two-stepping and a classic push pit- Falcifer had the support of the hometown crowd.

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Tokyo, Japan, January 2023 // Photo – @whitey_umeda

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The punters were starting to pile in, and the energy had finally kicked up a notch in the room, which meant it was time for The Ascended to take the stage. Judging from the crowd reaction it seems as though this reviewer is late to the party and is only newly hopping onto The Ascended bandwagon. It was super refreshing to hear some real original-sounding metalcore without playing too much into any nostalgia factor. Not only do they play fantastic music, but The Ascended are also incredibly tight and crisp throughout their set. Technical difficulties aside, they handled every second of their set with professionalism which shows their experience as performers. Really, their set felt like a huge treat. Joining Unearth across all their dates, if you are missing that real metalcore sound across the Australian scene- then you need to get on The Ascended.

Now was the moment everybody had been waiting for. The last-minute venue change seemed to be a smart decision, as a tighter more intimate show hit the mark. This being Unearth’s 8th time out here in Australia, it would not be outrageous to say that there would have been people in the crowd that had been to see them every single time. The rowdy and passionate fans that were clamouring to the front were singing every single word. As the band tore through their set, it had the energy of some of the best local shows you’ve ever been to. That is a compliment to Unearth because it felt like seeing old friends on the stage. The difference being is that they have a level of tightness onstage that just oozes experience. Not a note was missed and despite a few hiccups with microphones being damaged- it was a show for the books. 

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Tokyo, Japan, January 2023 // Photo – @whitey_umeda

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They played a satisfying mix of classic tracks from across their entire discography, such as This Lying World, Zombie Autopilot, Sanctity of Brothers and even introduced a new song that will be on their next album, set to be released in May this year. Hearing This Lying World live again was a huge highlight. The way the crowd went insane and in a smaller venue, the heaviness was ground shaking. Closing out the show with Black Hearts Now Reign, the band left the audience satisfied, shell-shocked and no doubt wanting more. 

With a few dates left of their tour if you are on the fence about attending- bite the bullet and get yourself to the closest show. No matter if you are a diehard or a casual fan, you will not regret seeing these absolute legends and pioneers of metalcore live.

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Tokyo, Japan, January 2023 // Photo – @whitey_umeda

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Australian Tour Dates

w/ @theascendedband + @complexantband
*Select Dates w/ @kingparrot

January 20- Adelaide, Australia @enigmabarmusic
January 21- Brisbane, Australia @thezoo.bne*
January 24- Canberra, Australia @thebasementcanberra
January 25- Newcastle, Australia @cambridgehotel
January 27- Sydney, Australia @crowbar *
January 28- Melbourne, Australia @maxwatts *

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Tokyo, Japan, January 2023 // Photo – @whitey_umeda

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Follow UNEARTH
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AMNPLIFY – DB